I've noticed something recently these last few weeks and seriously wonder if some current military personnel could explain this to me. Why wear your BDUs in public while on leave? Are you that desperate for attention or hoping for a free meal from some person wanting to pay their respects to a current serviceman? I can't think of any legitimate reason to wear your BDUs, especially at this time of year when its so fucking hot outside.

One would think someone on leave would want to put that behind them, enjoy the comfort of some shorts and a tank top. Or not be inundated with all things military and just go back to being a real person again if not for just a couple of days or weeks. Did your parents/spouse/friends burn every last stich of civilian clothes that you used to own? Have you suffered some PTSD and that backfiring car is making you dodge in and out of alleyways all throughout your day?

So what say you any active military that frequents TWS....can you give me even a remote idea of why someone feels they just HAVE to wear their BDUs if not for the "look at me world, treat me special" attention that their garb is trying to attract????

First of all, if it is in fact American soldiers you're speaking of, we don't really wear BDU's anymore. We've switched to ACUs. But to answer your question, soldiers really don't wear their uniforms unless they're working. Maybe doing HRAP (home town recruiting assistance program) or something of the nature.

At least I don't. I don't wear my uniform unless I absolutely have to.

Although I don't live near a major military base, I could imagine a lot of it is for the attention. But I think you are being needlessly negative, as if them wanting a few free things is somehow a bad thing. If civilians want to pay them respect, it is of their own free choice anyways. I remember a recent poll from Men's Health about how a large percentage of American men don't feel veterans are treated with enough respect by the general populace(a huge majority said veterans don't get enough from the government).

Besides, I know a lot of chicks that dig the uniform. Remember that I've also heard the insult thrown around among young Marines that "You couldn't get pussy in dress blues". As in, dress blues are a babe magnet, but you still suck too much to get any. For example, this (http://tinyurl.com/4w7s67) guy looks sharp in a uniform, at least more so than he would anywhere else. Although I understand you were talking about BDUs, not dress blues, but the principle is probably the same.

Although I don't live near a major military base, I could imagine a lot of it is for the attention. But I think you are being needlessly negative, as if them wanting a few free things is somehow a bad thing. If civilians want to pay them respect, it is of their own free choice anyways. I remember a recent poll from Men's Health about how a large percentage of American men don't feel veterans are treated with enough respect by the general populace(a huge majority said veterans don't get enough from the government).

Besides, I know a lot of chicks that dig the uniform. Remember that I've also heard the insult thrown around among young Marines that "You couldn't get pussy in dress blues". As in, dress blues are a babe magnet, but you still suck too much to get any. For example, this (http://tinyurl.com/4w7s67) guy looks sharp in a uniform, at least more so than he would anywhere else. Although I understand you were talking about BDUs, not dress blues, but the principle is probably the same.

Live near a recruiting office? 'Cause that's part of the work uni. 'least for the Army/Marines. Navy some how gets stuck with the faggy white uniform. Still, coolest cover in the US service.

Navy isn't allowed to wear their BDU/DCU uniforms out in public. Same as if they wear their utilities and coveralls.

Coming soon: Navy exchanges our whites and blues for kaki and camo LOL!!!

Me personally? I hate wearing my uniform while on leave, and grow out all my hair because I can.

If you're in the military, you're not even allowed to wear BDU/ACU/ABU/DCU/whatever isn't your dress uniform when you're not working. It's a WORK uniform. But no one really cares either way.

Wearing your work uniform out when you're not working is kind of...eh. I wouldn't say dirtbaggish, nor would I say attention whoring, but its just kind of...odd. Like, say, you see a guy at a bus stop wearing a GameStop shirt. Say he works at GameStop, but it's his day off. Why he'd wear it in the first place is just kind of wierd.

Either way, you shouldn't be doing it in the first place.

If you're in the military, you're not even allowed to wear BDU/ACU/ABU/DCU/whatever isn't your dress uniform when you're not working. It's a WORK uniform. But no one really cares either way.


Air Force is allowed. Course its the Air Force..........

Air Force is allowed. Course its the Air Force..........

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. But thats just during flights, from what I can remember. You can wear your ABUs/BDUs, but dress blues are encouraged.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. But thats just during flights, from what I can remember. You can wear your ABUs/BDUs, but dress blues are encouraged.

No...they can wear it out in town and all that great stuff. Because I'm not USAF, I'm not 100% certain on the rules of that. Any totse Airman care to educate us all?

For the record I don't live near a base, but I am near a major metropolitan area that does have a few Reserves and National Guard units around. I can't vouch for all the instances I've seen lately, but the incident that sparked my idea forthis thread I did see one grunt in BDU's on two separate days this week.

It was while dropping off my son for Safety Town. I saw this same person Tuesday and Thursday wearing them. I remember thinking when I saw him the first time...."Awwww how cute, deadbeat daddy can actually spend a couple of weeks with his kids and try to reaquaint himself with his kids...and here he is fresh off the plane dropping them off."

Then I saw him day 2 wearing the same shit and it finally hit me...."Attention whore wanting freebies and accollades."

No...they can wear it out in town and all that great stuff. Because I'm not USAF, I'm not 100% certain on the rules of that. Any totse Airman care to educate us all?

Sure.

Accoriding to AFI36-2903, members have the option to wear the uniform on short, convenient stops (shopping malls, stores, etc.), after being released from duty. It is definitively prohibited to put on your uniform, and walk around, while on leave. We also may not wear our uniform to drinking establishments (unless it's a unit event, such as a promotion party, or wedding, where everyone in the unit is invited).

The only time we may wear our uniform, when not on duty and hanging out in town, is if a commander orders us to. This is almost always the case at Air Education and Training bases, where you have a large number of first term airmen, fresh out of basic. For the first couple months, airmen are required to wear their BDU's, whenever they leave their dorm. Maybe you live near an AETC base? Tell us where you live, or the nearby bases you know of, and we could tell you whether or not you're near a training base.

Marines aren't allowed to, except for their blues and some service - but the itchiness and discomfort of those uniforms are incentive enough to keep them to formal events.

I don't know why I see army guys with their grays everywhere.

Depending on the situation, I may wear my summer whites or winter blues out in town (going to church or taking my fiance out somewhere nice) when it would be appropriate to dress up. However utilities/coveralls....if you see anyone actually wearing that out in town let me know so I can chuckle.

I don't wear my uniform unless it's absolutely required.
If you live near a base, you'll usually see a lot of guys at lunch or other meals, and they'll still be wearing their ACU's because they just got off of work.
Kinda like how you might see a construction worker still in work clothes.

I can remember the days when Brit troops were too scared to wear their uniforms in public or drive cars with military plates.

Good times.