Changes in 2nd Infantry Division's
off-duty dress codes being considered
By Jeremy Kirk, Seoul bureau
chief
CAMP RED CLOUD — Army officials in 2nd Infantry Division may change off-duty dress
codes to head off possible gang-related activity.
Soldiers in the military camps north of Seoul don’t appear to be linked to
well-known Stateside gangs, but there have been minor incidents related to informal,
loosely organized groups, said Lt. Col. Susan Danielson, public affairs officer.
Each year, the division’s senior enlisted personnel review civilian and military
clothing standards.
During this year’s annual review, the leadership decided to deal with the
gang-related clothing, Danielson said.
New standards that should be approved by January, will be published in the Warrior
Standard, a pocket-sized rule book for soldiers, she said.
"All proposed changes are being vigorously debated," Danielson said.
Clothing styles can polarize groups of soldiers, affecting a unit’s effectiveness,
Danielson said. How clothing is worn can indicate gang affiliation, she said.
"Of course, this type of dress code alone does not mean a person is a member of a
violent group," Danielson said. "Some young people wear their clothes
‘gangsta’ style as a fashion statement."
The review also ensures off-duty clothing is not offensive to the South Korean people.
In the past, soldiers were discouraged from wearing shorts because it wasn’t
normal for men to wear them in South Korea, Danielson said.
It’s not uncommon for the military to set off-duty clothing standards.
Since U.S. soldiers are viewed as informal ambassadors to a country, it’s the
military’s obligation to be good guests, Danielson said.
Soldiers interviewed weren’t opposed to changes in the dress code but were
concerned on how leaders linked gang activity with particular clothing styles.
"I think it’s hard to tell what’s gang related," said 19-year-old
Jason Plowman of the 122nd Signal Battalion at Camp Red Cloud.
"The person wearing the clothes may not think it’s gang-related, but to the
person seeing the clothing, it’s totally different."
Also of concern is the targeting of ethnic groups, said 31-year-old Sgt. 1st Class
Warren Montgomery. But Montgomery said he’s not necessarily opposed to changes.
"I think it’s a good step to eliminate some of the gang members who may be
coming in to the Army," he said.
"But I think the proposed standards are geared toward a specific ethnicity or
race. All minorities are not gang members. Let’s be smart in how we enact these
standards. A lot of it (clothing style) is just a fad."
Army standards prohibit wearing clothing that glamorizes drug or alcohol use, is
generally offensive, or encourages violence.
Also under discussion is if shirts should be tucked in or not and how ball caps are
worn.
In July, Navy officials at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, issued guidelines regarding
off-duty clothing. That order banned sailors from wearing items such as head bandanas,
halter-tops, flip-flops, tank tops, oversized shirts and pants and jogging suits.
The Yokosuka rules didn’t sit well with sailors in lower enlisted ranks, but have
stood.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities turn away sailors who don’t meet the
dress code.
Part of rules prohibited baggy pants, a fashionable trouser often sold in post
exchanges.
"Concerning baggy pants, we’re not sure if it is a good thing to prohibit
because young soldiers need a certain amount of freedom to express themselves and be in
accord with today’s styles," Danielson said.
"However, we might not allow baggy pants that allow others to see the
wearer’s underwear or body parts — that borders on obscene."
Civilian clothing rules published in the Warrior Standard already restrict cut-off or
ragged clothes or wearing articles that "might confuse others whether the wearer is a
member of, or supports gang."
Maj. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, commander of the division, wrote in Aug. 24 issue of the
Indianhead, a command publication, that gang members often place their gang values ahead
of Army values.
"Indicative of such misplaced loyalty are soldiers who chose to wear gang colors
or display gang paraphernalia, choices that violate the Warrior Standards," Honoré
wrote.
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