Army Publications

The Army Publishing Directorate (APD) is the Army’s centralized publications and forms management organization. I tell my Soldiers to do a Google search first and get a general idea of what number AR or FM they are looking for, then go to the APD for the freshest and official copy. Some of the publications require them to log into Army Knowledge Online (AKO).

AR 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia)  is by far the most referenced publication by an NCO when correcting young troops. Ambitious specialists should know grooming standards for both males and females (hair, nails, uniform, keys on belt,  etc.).

TC 3-22.20 (Army Physical Readiness Training), published AUG2010, is the new Army physical fitness manual incorporating wholesale changes in organized PT.

I Love Me Book (folder)

In this digital era, the Army runs on photocopies. Never give anyone an original document unless ordered. Then make sure you have a copy.

An “I Love Me Book,” is a collection of documents you don’t want to ever lose.

Enlistment/Reenlistment contract, college transcripts, certificates of training, orders, awards, certificates of wartime service, etc. While many of these documents will be in your OMPF (Official Military Personnel File) or iPERMS, many will not be uploaded. If you don’t want to repeat the installations’ 40-hour Drivers’ Improvement Program, your “I Love Me Book” is a perfect place to keep your completed DA Form 348.

A three-ring binder with page keepers is a good start. Get a portfolio with a zipper and pockets and you can store your challenge coins, passport, Social Security card, spare ID tags and keep spare documents in the pouch and say “I Love Me” in style.

So Long Black Micro Fleece Cap

With the cold weather upon us, many Soldiers will be scrambling to clothing sales to get some new headgear. For one, I will miss my black micro PT cap.

SUBJ: ALARACT 004/2008

1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO ANNOUNCE THE WEAR OUT DATES FOR
UNIFORMS AND ACCESSORIES ITEMS WORN BY MILITARY PERSONNEL.

3. THE BLACK KNIT CAP AND BLACK MICRO FLEECE KNIT CAP FOR AC, USAR,
AND ARNG WILL HAVE A WEAR OUT DATE OF 30 SEP 2009.

-- ALARACT is short for All Army Activities.

Hippy Hair and Pointy Sideburns

We have a simple yardstick for male haircuts in my unit: Short and square. While AR 670-1 says when combed, hair will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, our guidance is head hair shouldn’t even touch the ear. God forbid you forget to trim your sidewalls before the Monday morning, in-line inspection. I have seen males do a number of push-ups for one stray hair connecting with the upper lobe.

I have also seen a number of new Soldiers explore the limits of their facial hair--specifically sideburns.

Sideburns may not be flared; the base of the sideburn will be a clean shaven, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening.

We simply say it is not a good idea to have the First Sergeant squint at you trying to determine if your sideburn conforms to the standard and consider having it terminate at the top of your inner-ear opening.

Body Piercings on Post

Q: Can a Soldier wear a tongue piercing around the barracks?

A: NEVER, EVER.

Recently there has been a rash of Soldiers displaying body piercings around the Bs in civilian clothes. Soldiers will explain they are going out and wanted to put their piercings in before leaving. That’s fine, “just not on any Army installation or other places under Army control.”

There is no (none, zippo, zilch) exception for males—including hidden jewelry such as tongue or nipple piercings. So, if you have your Prince Alpert in while at the MWR beach in your Speedo, off-duty, you are in violation of AR 670-1, 1-14c.

The only exception is for female soldiers, as indicated in paragraph 1–14d and that covers prescribed earrings. There is no exception for piercings of the tongue, nipples or eyebrow.

So the next time a bobblehead private walks by with a tongue piercing, that’s a no go anywhere on post.