Where better a site to ask?

[reconeil]

Since wondering when fatigues or combat uniforms by U.S. Military first became largely acceptable off base, in towns, everywhere & even while travelling or on TV Shows & other public events,,...I figured where better a site to find an answer?

After all, this is certainly one of best military sites on the web with many knowledgeable veterans and also active military members. Someone here must know when such became the acceptable norm?

Back in my days of Service to Country ('55 to 58), if me & buddies were caught at any places mentioned above & not in Class-A uniforms or correct civilian attire,...we would be picked-up by either MPs or SPs for being: "Out of Uniform".

In fact, after my time of service & watching Brave 1st Air Cav Warriors returning home from Vietnam being spat-upon by many of what our now Ruling Class,...even those walking wounded of: "America's Finest" coming home had to wear Class-A's (whether bandaged or not).

I know it's actually no-big-deal when or where wearing fatigues most everywhere by the U.S. Military first stated. But, and since I couldn't answer that question from others, I'm just passing that same question along here.

Neil

[reconeil]

Guess I was wrong?

Neil

[reconeil]

Since no answers or thoughts coming from many once knowlegeable veterans here on this site about wearing fatigues everywhere, I Googled it. Didn't get much help from Google, either.

However,...I did at least find out that Marines have now made it mandatory wearing some-sort-of their different dress uniforms off base,...just as was once common for entire U.S. Military.

Guess now SP's will only be picking up Leathernecks for being out of uniform in town?

Neil

[coachman]

Truth to tell I just don't remember sorry advanced age done caught up with me.

[reconeil]

Don't sweat it Coachman.
"Advanced age" catches up with us all, IF LUCKY!
A lot of old friends just never made or make it to an: "Advanced age".

Neil

[reconeil]

Previously forgot to say your standard sign-off is accurate, great & quite timely.

Even though unfortunately SAD for America, such is also SO-DAMN-TRUE my friend.

Hope We Survive such nationally-suicidal lunacies?

Neil

[82Rigger]

Neil,

Don't know if this will answer your question or not...

Here at Eglin AFB the "fatigues-off-base" didn't happen with one regulation.

It kind of "evolved".

In the early 70s and before, if you were caught off base in utilities, then you had a problem, or at least some questions to answer.

If you lived off-base, you could drive home in your utilities, as long as you didn't stop anywhere.

Then, in the late 70s or early 80s they decided that you could stop by the bank or maybe the grocery store.

Then, sometime after that they made it okay all the time.

I'm thinking, Neil, that "Okay all the time" happened about the same time they switched the stateside utilities from solid O.D. to Cammies.

I could be wrong on that last part.

Rigger

[reconeil]

Rigger,
Believe you're absolutely right with that: "It kind of 'evolved' " over time info.

Though, and as for me, such first became Really noticeable about year preceeding that first 3 day Iraq War. All military (combat troops or not) travelling or anywhere in public stateside then were usually dressed in fatigues.

Such seemed & still seems truly weird to me.

Way-back-when if we scouts were caught off base at either Kitzingen or Bamberg, West Germany with even with our snappy & starched tailored fatigues with spit-shined Corcorans or strap & buckle Cavalry boots (also known as Tanker boots),...we all would no doubt have been picked up by class-A wearing MP's, for being out of uniform

Damn! Add a yellow scarf to our fatigues or work clothes for some parade or inspection by Division,...and all must admit that we were some sharp mothers!!!

Whatever, nowadays even MP's in town stateside will most likely be wearing baggy camos, just like most clerk typists & such also do.

Dress-wise these days it's actually hard telling difference between combat troops, clerks & brig or stockade prisoners,...except for some having that big P on their backs.

Neil