SureFire

New AR 670-1 Goes Into Effect Today

I’m not sure if the guy in charge gave any thought to the date of implementation. Read it and weep.

AR 670-1 cover

(Click on cover to read)

You’ll also want to check out DA PAM 670-1, also released yesterday, which shows you how to wear everything.

DA Pam 670-1 Cover

(Click on cover to read)

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33 Responses to “New AR 670-1 Goes Into Effect Today”

  1. Kevin says:

    Notice that the Army Ideas for Excellence program is suspended for reasons of “fiscal uncertainty” ?

  2. Tom says:

    Great, new regs. Now lets get new camo to go with thoe new regs

  3. CJ says:

    now that we got those pesky wars out of the way we can finally focus on what’s really important….tattoos and sideburns.

    I’ve never known a peacetime Army…here goes nothing….

  4. bulldog76 says:

    wait isnt today april first nice try ssd nice try cause the army cant be that stupid ……

  5. Mike Nomad says:

    30 days, from date on the doc to effective date? Who the hell flips anything in a month? Are they really in that much of a hurry to gig people and drum them out?

  6. 10thMountainMan says:

    I’m fine with most of this. They will have a great deal of trouble enforcing the “off duty” regulations. It will likely only be invoked when they are trying to build a case against an individual or use someone as an example. I could be wrong though, I’ve never been in a peacetime Army and I suppose a unit not under threat of deployment would have time for all of this.

  7. Daniel says:

    Back to how it was when I signed up. W/E. I do want to note that the APD pdf dated for Mar 2014 pulls the 2012 Rapid Revision version.

  8. Steve says:

    Damn! If only my Tattoos didn’t hinder my ability to be a good soldier! On the other hand mustache diagrams affirm “hitler stache” is the only way to go, so you win some you lose some.

  9. HOLLYWOOD319 says:

    With regards to the CIE-

    Chapter 4 Combat Uniform Ensemble
    4–1. Classification a. The Army combat uniform (ACU) in the universal camouflage pattern (UCP) is a daily work, utility, and field uniform (see fig 4–1).
    b. The fire resistant (FR) combat uniform in the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP) is designed as a combat uniform for use in a designated combat area of operation

    I do believe someone was correct in stating that the Army had no intention on finding a new uniform!

  10. Mick says:

    I’m going to take this opportunity to complain about rank. Any promotion, people have to go buy three ranks: sew on, velcro, and slide on.

    When we switch to the new camo (er, IF we switch to a new camo), the army shoudl take the opportunity and go all slide on rank. That little tab on the goretex coat that snaps open, allowing you to change ranks easily? Put those things on everything. ACU jacket, helmet cover, armor, various over wear… hell, put it on the PT shorts so joe can have his rank displayed during PT.

    makes it easy to sanitize a uniform if need be, is neat in appearance, and when promoted, joe just has to buy a six pack of those things and be done. Don’t have an extra rank for your rain coat? Easy enough to pop it off the uniform jacket and slide it on teh gore tex.

    Just an old gripe of mine. One of those little simplified things that would make uniform care and maintenance a bit easier…

    • Jim says:

      I’m pretty sure that’s the case with the velcro ones already. The goretex with the slide-on rank doesn’t even get issued anymore at CIF. I just had to buy a bunch of velcro ones and I’m done plus one pin on for my hat.

      • Dan says:

        It’d be easier if the rank didn’t have to be sewn on with the tapes.

        • Mick says:

          Yup. Sewed on CAB, US ARMY and nametape; left the rank velcro in anticipation of a promotion… guess what I’m working on this week? Sewing on that rank.

          By the time I get promoted, I’m not optimistic we’ll be in a new camouflage…

    • straps says:

      Back in the day it was tradition to save old rank for someone who followed you up through the ranks. A newly promoted troop with weathered insignia meant someone was looking out for them.

      Or, have the supply guy hold onto it. I understand that keeping a plastic box and a few ziplock bags is a HUUGE responsibility, and could get in the way of social media updates, bracketology and Fantasy Football…

      Promoting too quickly to realize your investment in your rank insignia=First World Problem.

      • Steve says:

        “Promoting too quickly to realize your investment in your rank insignia=First World Problem.”

        Fear not, Army G1 is coordinating closely with OSD to fix that problem, too.

    • ken says:

      Shocked, I tell you! SHOCKED…

    • straps says:

      Um yeah no. Guidance is actually clearer and options are actually broader.

      • ben says:

        I say women should have the same regs as men, equal rights and all… If I’ve got to shave my damn head to keep my job so should a woman.

    • threeseven says:

      “We feel let down,” Jacobs said. “I think, at the end of the day, a lot of people don’t understand the complexities of natural hair.”

      Pfft. As a male, if I have to go to painstaking lengths to ensure whoever cuts my hair blends it perfectly to ensure I don’t end up with an ‘aggressive’ or ‘radical’ hairstyle and still end up getting abused for it 25% of the time, I’m sure these women can figure something out. Atleast women are allowed to have some kind of choice as to what they do with their hair. Don’t even get me started on the race thing.

  11. Cap'n Drew says:

    Somebody please explain why the Army’s reg still includes instructions on wearing the BDU?

    • straps says:

      There was an AO where the Woodland Camouflage BDU was authorized for wear AFTER the BDU wearout.

      Not sure if it’s still in effect.

      Ironically, the folks who received that consideration rarely consult AR 670-1, and rarely interact with people who do.

  12. Desert Lizard says:

    The SMA told us this was on his agenda when he was selected.

  13. John Gavin says:

    In addition to tattoos, we need to address bullet, shrapnel, or burn scars on the face, head, neck, as well as below the elbow and knees. These scars do not present the neat, professional appearance of the new Army, and are inconsistent with the values projected by the Army’s Senior Leaders.

  14. Luddite4Change says:

    If you read through, there is some pretty shoddy staff work.

    Paragraphs 21-17 (Shoulder Sleave Insignia-Former Wartime Service) and 21-29 (Overseas Service Stripes) are classic examples.

    For instance:

    The first sub paragraph should begin with the letter “a” not “e”.

    Para 21-17 authorizes the ssi-fws for veterans of OEF-Philippines, but para 21-29 neglects to authorize the overseas service stripes. Both were authorized by a DA Memo in 2005, but the AR does not reference it as either being incorporated or superseded.

    Para 21-17 now limits the wear of USMC patches to soldiersservice who served with USMC units during the first 32 days of OIF.

    Neither paragraph addresses the status of combat zone locations that were part of CENTCOM and are now part of AFRICOM (Djibouti and Somalia specifically). Overseas service stripes are authorized for OEF support for two countries in CENTCOM were hf/Idp is authorized but are not part of the combat zone (Lebanon and Syria), but no mention of similars hf/Idp locations executing/supporting OEF in other COCOMs.

    Kind of piss poor staff work, without an eye towards the future were more ops will be occurring in these ares.

    I suppose my expectations for a reg that was years in the making was higher, but given the state this is it.

    • John Gavin says:

      You are hitting on a key issue, which is the credibility gap.

      The Army rolled out a new AR 670-1 with DA Pam, preceded and accompanied by pronouncements from the SMA and other senior leaders that the new reg is a part of trying to fix perceived issues with discipline and professionalism in the ranks. However, it does not appear that they spent any time at all proof-reading or editing, so many of the written portions are inconsistent with the figures illustrating the reg. I am easily able to find items that are several years out-of-date, published in the brand-new reg.

      Amateur hour continues.

      • Luddite4Change says:

        Proofreading and editing is a sign of professionalism in and of itself.

        Its pretty much absent here.

  15. Mike Nomad says:

    I guess this is supposed to be an April Fool’s Joke, even though it is in violation of the Date/Time Stamp Rule Of April Fool’s Day Prankery.

  16. MSG LEE says:

    I’ve been in the military for 30 years serving with cornrows, buns larger than 2 inches, and for the last 3 years, locks. I am able to wear my headgear, dawn a mask, and accurately fire a weapon. My hair does not affect my ability to mentor soldiers or senior leaders. It does not get in the way of any leadership activity, training, teaching, learning, mentoring, or basic soldiering. This new regulation will get in the way of doing business because the IG is going to be very busy with harassment complaints as some jerk who has no idea on how to address soldiers, is going to have a field day with letting soldiers know they are out of compliance with this new regulation. As a matter of fact, this regulation will distract from the daily business of being a soldier. This is going to generate so much paperwork and tie up so many soldiers that no real work will get done. This is new regulation is designed to downsize the Army. It is discriminatory. I used to be able to read a regulation and understand why it was written. I used to be able to see the big picture or why it was important. The new 670-1 does not have an objective about being uniformed. We are too diverse for that. It is a concerted effort to not only discriminate but to segregate and eliminate ethnic people. I was not born with thin hair that can fit in a 2 inch bun. I signed up 30 years ago and the doctor did not check my hair type then, nor each physical after that to determine if I could be a soldier. Who wrote this and what do they have against being diverse. If everyone affected by this regulation would resign, the military would literally be an Army of One. LOL Next they will tell us we will need to be all one color. Something like the stepford wives. Go figure. Teach diversity, consideration of others and practice uniformity.

    • SSD says:

      “As a matter of fact, this regulation will distract from the daily business of being a soldier.”

      Very well put MSG.