Base's Ban on Baggy Pants, Visible Thongs Spark Calls for Army-Wide Dress Code

A crackdown on off-duty attire at several posts has actually led to calls for a stricter dress code across the Army.

While some critics say the Army is going too far, others believe there should be nationwide guidelines.

Dress regulations are currently the domain of each post with dress policies made and enforced by garrison commanders on an installation-by-installation basis.

The new call for a proper off-duty code came after Fort Irwin in California banned saggy pants, do-rags, sexy clothes and vulgar T-shirts.

Revealing, offensive and unkempt attire was also banned at on-post facilities, including gyms and shops.

Fort Stewart in Georgia released a poster showing prohibited attire (pictured) and followed up with similar bans.

Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler has for two years been pushing to expand the soldier appearance standards, outlined in Army Regulation 670-1, to banning visible body piercings and earrings for male soldiers while off duty.

He told Army Times: "The American public trusts and respects our Army because of our professionalism, and your appearance and actions play a large role in shaping their opinion of the Army."

He added that off-duty appearance frequently comes up when he conducts town hall meetings with soldiers.

The Fort Irwin dress code and poster attracted more than 400 comments from soldiers and civilians in four days after it appeared on the post’s Facebook page on August 5.

The majority applauded the move, saying all bases should have the same code.