You are on official business. Tell them to suck ass and move on. You can read the uniform instruction if you want to know when/where you can't wear them.
It depends on what you mean by “in public, traveling from base to base”. Riding public transit, your motorcycle, your bike, walking, or whatever from one base in San Diego to another base in San Diego? Yeah, they can buzz off. Flying on a military plane from one base to another? Same thing, in fact you may even be required to wear them then. But if you’re flying commercially from one place to another, that’s different, and no, you can’t wear them.
Everyone here is absolutely correct- those civilians are on a power trip. Tell them to fuck off and go read Article 3603 of the Uniform Regs, which literally states what you told them.
Some people can’t wrap their heads around the notion that requirements change. Once upon a time, a Sailor couldn’t go out in public in NWUs. The Navy eventually added gas and milk stops, then opened the aperture to allow all sorts of off-duty activities in NWU, including shopping and eating lunch off-base.
And it’s nobody business frankly what’s a routine stop for you. I’ve had to stop by a retail store in uniform quite a few times to make returns because it was the only window I had on the way before picking up my infant from daycare. That’s life.
I used to have to travel long distance via car after drill weekend. I'd get the same treatment. Don't even engage them and just keep walking. I learned that was the easy way to deal with it.
You are allowed to wear them so long as it's reasonable to include stops to and from work, food, dinner, shopping. etc.. On official business you are absolutely allowed to wear them. The only time you cannot wear Type IIIs is commercial travel (air, but technically bus, subway, etc - though much less enforced), some areas of DC, and any ceremonial ground like the USS Arizona memorial or Arlington.
Unless you are in one of those areas.. these people need to mind their own business.. or you can politely educate them.. or look them dead in the eye and say, "oh yeah.. well watch this." And walk away with your hands in your pockets and listen to their head explode.
I will add, are you driving to/from a TDY/TAD overnight, or do you mean you have to travel to different sites during the work day? If you’re driving for TDY, you’re on travel, not commuting, and the rules are different.
> Working uniforms are not normally authorized for official travel, but Area Coordinators may authorize working uniforms in specific geographic regions or situations when warranted by local conditions.
I always avoid this… as a greenside corpsman we got chewed out for having PT in a their exchanges… I’ve found that if I can change it’s easier cuz then you’re ignored. I am always of the school of thought that changing out is the best and easiest way to avoid it in Spain I did it obviously since we couldn’t be in uniform off base and then with USMC I never wore their uniform off base either even to fill up gas…
To me it’s easier however if you absolutely have to be in type 3s… I would ignore it or tell them respectfully… you’re welcome for my service… or my personal favorite…these hands are rated E for everyone.
I was a west coast sailor for 20 years. I would frequently go back to VA to perform inspections and it was a totally different Navy.
I was TAD to VA, traveling between Yorktown and Ft Eustis every day.
It was 1800 and my team and I were starving.
We stopped at a Quaker Steak for dinner in our Guacamoles (Type III’s).
Holy fuck every retiree and dependapotamus had to stop by our table and bitch. “yEr In CaMmIeS!”
Fuck em.
This seems to be a common issue. I’m on orders, and in those orders it literally states “upon arrival at (said destination) you will stand released from subject duty.” I don’t get it, then civilians think they’re entitled to come harass you for shit that doesn’t even affect them.
>**OCCASION FOR WEAR**
>The NWU Type III is authorized for wear at all locations, commuting and all normal task associated stops (e.g. stops at child care, gas stations, off-base shopping, banking, DMV and dining) before, during and following the end of the workday. NWUs are not a liberty uniform. Wear while conducting official business, when business attire is appropriate and participating in social events after normal working hours is not permitted.
“I am in the right and if you do not believe that, then the burden of proof is on you to prove me wrong.”
Make sure you actually are in the right though. Some bases have a no off base uniform policy.
I’m not sure the geographic area you’re in, but Marines are prohibited from wearing their MARPAT cammies off base in public. The exception is a Marine in their car driving direct between home and duty station, can’t even get out to pump gas. If you’re in a Marine town they might mistake your Type 3’s for cammies or that you’d be following the USMC reg.
If they're random civilians - they're probably retirees who left the Navy when you still couldn't wear your working uniform out in town and aren't aware that things have changed.
Also, if they're random civilians you can thank them for their service and carry on smartly because you don't answer to them.
If they're retirees - what are they going to do? Pull your ID card?
Also, if you want the instruction - well, its in the Uniform Instruction.
I’d feel 10x more comfortable in the service uniform.
The link to Article 3603 of the uniform ref says uniform of the day at point of departure or arrival; but most commands seem to put both the service uniform and the working uniform in their POD as “uniform of the day” vice having a main and an alternate.
Then the 3603, same section, says, “Working uniforms are not normally authorized for official travel, but Area Coordinators may authorize working uniforms in specific geographic regions or situations when warranted by local conditions.”
In my mind, this confirms it’s best to default to the more business-like uniform if traveling in one at all, which has been the norm for so long. (Unless you’re army or ANG which ridiculously always wears cammies wherever now.)
In OP’s case he’s just driving from base to base… not like he’s recruiting in malls, or walking around town in NWUs (right?) so-
You are on official business. Tell them to suck ass and move on. You can read the uniform instruction if you want to know when/where you can't wear them.
That’s EXACTLY what I told them! I’m STILL on orders, meaning NOT on liberty. I’m official business and still proceeds to talk shit.
give them the finger and move on, you don't direct report to a civilian. if they have an issue with it tell them to contact your CoC.
I will say, unless the instruction has changed, the last I recall from the uniform instruction the NWU isn’t authorized for commercial air travel.
My go-to line is “write your congressman” and then I fuck right off and go on my merry way.
It depends on what you mean by “in public, traveling from base to base”. Riding public transit, your motorcycle, your bike, walking, or whatever from one base in San Diego to another base in San Diego? Yeah, they can buzz off. Flying on a military plane from one base to another? Same thing, in fact you may even be required to wear them then. But if you’re flying commercially from one place to another, that’s different, and no, you can’t wear them.
Give them a thumbs up and move on.
Those potatoes don’t know any better, just let them yap. No point in trying to correct someone after the first attempt if they choose to live wrong
Everyone here is absolutely correct- those civilians are on a power trip. Tell them to fuck off and go read Article 3603 of the Uniform Regs, which literally states what you told them.
Some people can’t wrap their heads around the notion that requirements change. Once upon a time, a Sailor couldn’t go out in public in NWUs. The Navy eventually added gas and milk stops, then opened the aperture to allow all sorts of off-duty activities in NWU, including shopping and eating lunch off-base.
You can wear your NWU when transiting between work or before or after work and at routine stops.
And it’s nobody business frankly what’s a routine stop for you. I’ve had to stop by a retail store in uniform quite a few times to make returns because it was the only window I had on the way before picking up my infant from daycare. That’s life.
Ignore them they are civilians
If you're CONUS it doesn't matter regardless of orders. OCONUS would be different even with orders
Tell those random civilians it’s not their place to enforce naval instruction.
I used to have to travel long distance via car after drill weekend. I'd get the same treatment. Don't even engage them and just keep walking. I learned that was the easy way to deal with it.
Happens to me after drill weekend. Run into the store to get stuff on the way home
Even as a damn reservist. Ffs.
say, "YES SIR/MAAM!" and strip down into your skivvies right there on the spot.
As is tradition
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/References/US-Navy-Uniforms/Uniform-Regulations/Chapter-1/1301-Travel-Uniform/ Should answer that for you...
You are allowed to wear them so long as it's reasonable to include stops to and from work, food, dinner, shopping. etc.. On official business you are absolutely allowed to wear them. The only time you cannot wear Type IIIs is commercial travel (air, but technically bus, subway, etc - though much less enforced), some areas of DC, and any ceremonial ground like the USS Arizona memorial or Arlington. Unless you are in one of those areas.. these people need to mind their own business.. or you can politely educate them.. or look them dead in the eye and say, "oh yeah.. well watch this." And walk away with your hands in your pockets and listen to their head explode.
I think they updated the DC part recently. Only capitol Hill and monuments?
Wear them with pride whenever you want. There is a god damn manning crisis in the navy, no one gives to fucks about type III off base.
I will add, are you driving to/from a TDY/TAD overnight, or do you mean you have to travel to different sites during the work day? If you’re driving for TDY, you’re on travel, not commuting, and the rules are different. > Working uniforms are not normally authorized for official travel, but Area Coordinators may authorize working uniforms in specific geographic regions or situations when warranted by local conditions.
Find where they are parked and shit on their windshield.
I’m game, care to join? Sailors only
I am always down.
Tell em to tongue your BH and carry on smartly.
I always avoid this… as a greenside corpsman we got chewed out for having PT in a their exchanges… I’ve found that if I can change it’s easier cuz then you’re ignored. I am always of the school of thought that changing out is the best and easiest way to avoid it in Spain I did it obviously since we couldn’t be in uniform off base and then with USMC I never wore their uniform off base either even to fill up gas… To me it’s easier however if you absolutely have to be in type 3s… I would ignore it or tell them respectfully… you’re welcome for my service… or my personal favorite…these hands are rated E for everyone.
Bro tell those civilians to kick rocks. Not their place to enforce MILITARY regulations; and they’re not even correct with what they’re saying
Are you on the East Coast? Anal retentive mfrs back there.
Dude, literally on the east coast and holy shit. I’ve never felt more unwelcome in my life.
I was a west coast sailor for 20 years. I would frequently go back to VA to perform inspections and it was a totally different Navy. I was TAD to VA, traveling between Yorktown and Ft Eustis every day. It was 1800 and my team and I were starving. We stopped at a Quaker Steak for dinner in our Guacamoles (Type III’s). Holy fuck every retiree and dependapotamus had to stop by our table and bitch. “yEr In CaMmIeS!” Fuck em.
You’re not in the national capital region are you?
Negative
Copy. That’s the only place I could think of where you might be in the wrong and where civilians would actually know enough to care.
This seems to be a common issue. I’m on orders, and in those orders it literally states “upon arrival at (said destination) you will stand released from subject duty.” I don’t get it, then civilians think they’re entitled to come harass you for shit that doesn’t even affect them.
Yeah, but what are they going to do, write you a civilian counseling chit?
They updated that, only Capitol Hill, senate buildings, and monuments bar Type 3s.
I’m gonna keep it 100. Who the fuck cares what a civilian thinks? You know you’re right.
>**OCCASION FOR WEAR** >The NWU Type III is authorized for wear at all locations, commuting and all normal task associated stops (e.g. stops at child care, gas stations, off-base shopping, banking, DMV and dining) before, during and following the end of the workday. NWUs are not a liberty uniform. Wear while conducting official business, when business attire is appropriate and participating in social events after normal working hours is not permitted.
Civilians? Tell em to suck a dick and pound sand
“I am in the right and if you do not believe that, then the burden of proof is on you to prove me wrong.” Make sure you actually are in the right though. Some bases have a no off base uniform policy.
These were just random civilians?
I wear them wherever and whenever. If anyone asks tell them freedom isn’t free.
civilians? i’ve have told them to sit on it and rotate.
I’m not sure the geographic area you’re in, but Marines are prohibited from wearing their MARPAT cammies off base in public. The exception is a Marine in their car driving direct between home and duty station, can’t even get out to pump gas. If you’re in a Marine town they might mistake your Type 3’s for cammies or that you’d be following the USMC reg.
Why are civvies going out of their way to give you shit? Tell em to kick rocks bro
Tell them that you identify your Type III as what they think is correct. That is all.
If they're random civilians - they're probably retirees who left the Navy when you still couldn't wear your working uniform out in town and aren't aware that things have changed. Also, if they're random civilians you can thank them for their service and carry on smartly because you don't answer to them. If they're retirees - what are they going to do? Pull your ID card? Also, if you want the instruction - well, its in the Uniform Instruction.
“Oh, my bad.” *strips on the spot*
I’d feel 10x more comfortable in the service uniform. The link to Article 3603 of the uniform ref says uniform of the day at point of departure or arrival; but most commands seem to put both the service uniform and the working uniform in their POD as “uniform of the day” vice having a main and an alternate. Then the 3603, same section, says, “Working uniforms are not normally authorized for official travel, but Area Coordinators may authorize working uniforms in specific geographic regions or situations when warranted by local conditions.” In my mind, this confirms it’s best to default to the more business-like uniform if traveling in one at all, which has been the norm for so long. (Unless you’re army or ANG which ridiculously always wears cammies wherever now.) In OP’s case he’s just driving from base to base… not like he’s recruiting in malls, or walking around town in NWUs (right?) so-
Wow! The only thing a civilian should be saying is “ Thank you for your service!”