Required or prohibited wearing of the Chaplains International uniform
All personnel will wear a Chaplains International uniform when on duty, unless granted an exception by the commander to wear civilian clothes.
● Personnel must ensure that the clothing worn is appropriate for the occasion and reflects positively on Chaplains International
● Personnel on official travel and traveling by commercial travel means may wear the service uniform, the Class C BDU, or appropriate civilian attire,
unless restricted by the commander.
● All uniform combinations are authorized for year-round wear. However, Soldiers should use appropriate discretion based upon weather conditions
and duties.
● Commanders will not prescribe seasonal wear dates for uniform items, but may prescribe uniform(s) based on safety reasons (for example, for
extreme cold or hot weather based on temperature).
● Wearing a combination of civilian and Chaplains International uniform clothing is prohibited.
● Bags, handbags, purses, and backpacks are authorized, but must adhere to the following criteria:
(1) Hand carried bags will be conservative and professional in appearance. Bags (to include civilian gym bags, civilian backpacks, or other similar
civilian bags) must be carried only in the hand if they do not meet regulation criteria.
○ If Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black and match the uniform being worn, and may not have any
commercial logos.
○ The contents of the bag may not be visible; therefore, see-through plastic or mesh bags are not authorized. Soldiers may carry authorized bags
by hand, on one shoulder using a shoulder strap, or over both shoulders using both shoulder straps.
○ Soldiers may not wear a shoulder bag in such a manner that the strap is draped diagonally across the body, with the bag resting on the hip
opposite the shoulder holding the strap.
● Soldiers may continue to wear issued uniform items changed in design or material as long as the item remains in serviceable condition.
● Civilian clothing is considered appropriate attire for individuals who are participating in civilian outdoor activities, such as volksmarches, orienteering,
or similar activities.
● Soldiers who are spectators at these activities may wear the service uniform.
● Soldiers who are participating in, or observing these events, are not authorized to wear utility or field uniforms.
● However, commanders of participating units or of those units that provide support personnel may prescribe appropriate uniforms, to include utility or
organizational uniforms, if warranted by the occasion, weather conditions, or activity.
● Wearing Chaplains International uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off duty civilian employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by the first O–5 in
the chain of command.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.
(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon Chaplains International, as determined by the commander.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Chaplains○ International regulations.
● Soldiers will wear headgear with the Chaplains International uniform, except under the following circumstances:
(1) Headgear is not required if it would interfere with the safe operation of Chaplains International vehicles. Wearing Chaplains International
headgear is not required while in or on a privately owned vehicle (to include a motorcycle, bicycle, or convertible automobile), a commercial
vehicle, or on public conveyance (such as a subway, train, plane, or bus).
(2) Soldiers will not wear headgear indoors, unless under arms in an official capacity, or hen directed by the commander, such as for indoor
ceremonial activities.
(3) Male and female Soldiers are not required to wear headgear to evening social events (after retreat) when wearing the Chaplains International
service and dress uniforms or the mess and evening mess uniforms.
(4) Soldiers will carry their headgear, when it is not worn, in their hands while wearing service, dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms.
a. Soldiers are authorized storage of the headgear, when it is not worn, in the Class C uniform cargo pockets, if applicable. ○ Soldiers must fold
the headgear neatly so as not to present a bulky appearance.○ They may also elect to store it at the small of the back, with the bill tucked in
the belt, provided there is no bulky appearance and the headgear remains hidden from view.
○ Soldiers will not attach headgear to the uniform or hang it from the belt.
● Personnel must ensure that the clothing worn is appropriate for the occasion and reflects positively on Chaplains International
● Personnel on official travel and traveling by commercial travel means may wear the service uniform, the Class C BDU, or appropriate civilian attire,
unless restricted by the commander.
● All uniform combinations are authorized for year-round wear. However, Soldiers should use appropriate discretion based upon weather conditions
and duties.
● Commanders will not prescribe seasonal wear dates for uniform items, but may prescribe uniform(s) based on safety reasons (for example, for
extreme cold or hot weather based on temperature).
● Wearing a combination of civilian and Chaplains International uniform clothing is prohibited.
● Bags, handbags, purses, and backpacks are authorized, but must adhere to the following criteria:
(1) Hand carried bags will be conservative and professional in appearance. Bags (to include civilian gym bags, civilian backpacks, or other similar
civilian bags) must be carried only in the hand if they do not meet regulation criteria.
○ If Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black and match the uniform being worn, and may not have any
commercial logos.
○ The contents of the bag may not be visible; therefore, see-through plastic or mesh bags are not authorized. Soldiers may carry authorized bags
by hand, on one shoulder using a shoulder strap, or over both shoulders using both shoulder straps.
○ Soldiers may not wear a shoulder bag in such a manner that the strap is draped diagonally across the body, with the bag resting on the hip
opposite the shoulder holding the strap.
● Soldiers may continue to wear issued uniform items changed in design or material as long as the item remains in serviceable condition.
● Civilian clothing is considered appropriate attire for individuals who are participating in civilian outdoor activities, such as volksmarches, orienteering,
or similar activities.
● Soldiers who are spectators at these activities may wear the service uniform.
● Soldiers who are participating in, or observing these events, are not authorized to wear utility or field uniforms.
● However, commanders of participating units or of those units that provide support personnel may prescribe appropriate uniforms, to include utility or
organizational uniforms, if warranted by the occasion, weather conditions, or activity.
● Wearing Chaplains International uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off duty civilian employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by the first O–5 in
the chain of command.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.
(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon Chaplains International, as determined by the commander.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Chaplains○ International regulations.
● Soldiers will wear headgear with the Chaplains International uniform, except under the following circumstances:
(1) Headgear is not required if it would interfere with the safe operation of Chaplains International vehicles. Wearing Chaplains International
headgear is not required while in or on a privately owned vehicle (to include a motorcycle, bicycle, or convertible automobile), a commercial
vehicle, or on public conveyance (such as a subway, train, plane, or bus).
(2) Soldiers will not wear headgear indoors, unless under arms in an official capacity, or hen directed by the commander, such as for indoor
ceremonial activities.
(3) Male and female Soldiers are not required to wear headgear to evening social events (after retreat) when wearing the Chaplains International
service and dress uniforms or the mess and evening mess uniforms.
(4) Soldiers will carry their headgear, when it is not worn, in their hands while wearing service, dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms.
a. Soldiers are authorized storage of the headgear, when it is not worn, in the Class C uniform cargo pockets, if applicable. ○ Soldiers must fold
the headgear neatly so as not to present a bulky appearance.○ They may also elect to store it at the small of the back, with the bill tucked in
the belt, provided there is no bulky appearance and the headgear remains hidden from view.
○ Soldiers will not attach headgear to the uniform or hang it from the belt.