Marine uniform rules cause drive-thru backups

Marine uniform rules cause drive-thru backups
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 19, 2007 16:37:03 EDT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The Marine Corps is taking on the role of fashion police.

Earlier this year, the Marine Corps commandant updated the regulations on what Marines can and cannot wear, on duty and off, in the U.S. Among the fashion don’ts: No shiny metal or gems on your teeth, no designs carved in your hair, no flashy jewelry and no bare midriffs or excessive cleavage.

But it is Gen. James T. Conway’s ban on the wearing of camouflage uniforms, or “cammies,” off base that is getting the most attention, changing not only the appearance of the Marines but also the look of their communities.

Under the new regulation, Marines in camouflage cannot get out of their vehicles to run an errand or grab a meal on their way to or from the base. No pumping gas, running into the post office or picking up a cup of joe, either.

Although Marines were always largely prohibited from wearing uniforms off base, they were allowed to make brief stops during their commutes. Now they can stop only for a medical emergency, a traffic accident or a breakdown.

Around Oceanside, a community about 35 miles north of San Diego where Marines from neighboring Camp Pendleton, Calif., are a common sight, the most noticeable effect is at fast food drive-thrus. Long lines are forming because Marines in uniform are not allowed to get out of their cars and go inside.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_marine_dresscode_071019/



uhc comment: Things sure have changed since I got out in 1973.

is to follow it to the letter.

Malicious compliance is alive and well...

Gotta love those jarheads.

The Commander of the Naval Base at Norfolk issued an instruction prohibiting sailors from going off base in the working uniform. This proved to be a major inconvenience to the sailors who lived off-base and had to change clothes at the beginning and end of each day.

It seems there was a business that gained a reputation of poor service to the sailors. One afternoon this business was paid a visit by several angry young men in dungaree work clothes with Navy insignia on the sleeves, who proceeded to destroy all the inventory.

When the owner of the business called the Commanding Officer to file a complaint about the event, the Commander replied "Those guys weren't part of the Navy. Our sailors are not allowed off-base in the working uniform!" and he hung up the phone.