European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 a the stars and Stripe letters a thoughts on the new Darmstadt dress . A Aham Aara Xvi qty Pant to Dirtat what off duty military Ner Sunn i believe some clarification is needed. Regarding my comments to your reporter on the Darmstadt dress code my entire opinion which i stated to the reporter and which he neglected to report is this a i basically understand what they the Community Are trying to do. We have an image to uphold As americans in our Host country and you Don t want people walking around in their underwear like Madonna or wearing shirts with obscene graphics however if this applies to sportswear then i done to understand. I Wear sports attire for Freedom of movement full Range of motion for which it is designed. I was under the impression that the reporter was simply collecting information for a Small article not planning to use me As the focus of the entire piece. I found the topic fairly amusing and so answered questions in that vein. I understand the concept of a dress code and feel it just needs some revision and clarification. What i found most disturbing was the fact that i made Many intelligent comments which the reporter neglected to mention. Next time you write an article including someone s opinion please present it As it was intended. And if you arc going to misquote someone please try and spell their name right in the opening sentence. A Seija l. Benson Darmstadt West Germany a dress code should primarily be designed with the standards of the majority of the Community members in mind. It should not be set in diametric opposition to the will of the people who live and work in the Community. The increasingly popular tights Are on the a hit list of verboten items ironically this objectionable apparel is readily available in the local Exchange. While hair curlers Are certainly unappealing do we ban unattractive people from appearing in Public should we for Many soldiers and family members tank tops Are an inexpensive alternative to drowning in sweat. The mandate against the wearing of obscene or derogatory slogans on clothing was an excellent idea As Many of these slogans Are offensive to most Community members. But lets use a Little common sense. A staff sgt. Brad a Brothers Augsburg West Germany the Way people dress and conduct themselves in Public reflects their personal Pride and value standards. Sad to say too Many americans have Little or none of either. This is in Sharp contrast to most of the locals in the Host country. To those of us who do have both personal and National Pride it is refreshing to know that at least one Community commander not Only has High standards but has the commitment to enforce them in his Community. However i think it will be Short lived because too Many people will speak out against it. In my opinion there Are Only a couple of things wrong with the policy it should be Usa eur wide and extend to of Post. I just wish the Vicenza Community commander would implement a similar dress code for our Community. A Warren in e Vicenza Italy. As far As in a concerned tank tops and flip flops Are the Ideal apparel for a warm summer Day. I enjoy biking and running and tights Are by far the most comfortable clothes for these activities. As for the Lack of comment by Darmstadt a Deputy military commander the author of the code the dress code is indeed  it clearly explains that the Darmstadt Community has either an unenforceable Rule or a lot of uncomfortable people. �?1st it. Mark d. Norton Kitzinger West Germany. It is sad to Sec that not Only does our government pursue policies that cause the majority of the world to think us fools which they Are Correct in thinking but Saddest because the very fib of what America is supposed to stand for is disregarded and trampled upon every Day. This is especially so in government serv  and specifically in the army in Europe. ,. What struck me As unbelievable in the responses of the people in the article was that not one person alluded to the fact that we arc americans who Are free to pursue life Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness. We Are not mindless vassals of some Federal fiefdom who Bow and Grovel simply because the Quot brass does no to like the Way we dress. A staff sgt. Mack a. Pattarozzi Nurnberg West Germany obviously the Darmstadt Deputy Community commander is unaware of the dress codes already in effect in that Community. Army regulation 670-1 states How soldiers will appear in uniform on duty and associated army legs slate How they will appear in civilian clothes off duty. Apr 35-10 states the same for air Force personnel also the military Community itself has a dress code for individual facilities . The commissary Exchange gym. Dining facility and movie theater just to name a few. Of course i  need to mention that our . Constitution guarantees Freedom of expression. This i believe allows us not Only to pick out our own clothes but a Shock a to Wear them if want i can even put derogatory profane slogans on them. That a my right. However if the Darmstadt Deputy commander really wants to go through with this i would Back it up. If i was in his Community which luckily in a not if Only he would not avoid the press written inquiries a make it More Clear to the Reader and be Brave and stand by his decision when it comes under criticism instead of ignoring it. _ a staff sgt. Lance Maguire Kitzinger West Germany just a thought i always found and still do some women to be attractive in bus. I guess it would be Akin to a woman a liking a Man in  if i were the colonel i would therefore have to ban the wearing of bus in the Darmstadt military Community. Like i said something to think about when deciding standards and criteria for decency. �?2nd it. Joseph l. Bodnar Wackenheim West Germany i find it appalling and unbelievable that the imposition of a dress code is a permissible action especially when this Community commander does not feel that an explanation of the action is in order. If his Community has a higher than average incidence of violent crimes against women or statutory rape 1 could see a certain Validity to his Choice but an explanation would be simple Courtesy. It genuinely frightens me that More and More americans Are ignorant of their rights and other Peoples rights based on the tenets of our Constitution. Ignorance apathy laziness none of them Are acceptable excuses for not protecting yourself under our Laws. And if this a dress code nonsense is permitted to exist on the Darmstadt Community a books without justification it will be a Victory for just those forces. A Cynthia Neil Butzbach West Germany. It immediately brought to mind. Reasons Why i love and continue to serve the . Air Force it does no to impose ridiculous restrictions on my off duty attire. A master sgt. Michael w. Conner Hahn a West Germany. We Are used to rules and deadlines and uniform guidelines dress codes at work. We Tell ourselves that this is for unit cohesiveness and discipline. Individuality in an army can be a dangerous thing As we fight and risk our lives for Freedom. We must All think one thought and be of one strength As we charge to give up our lives for the Freedom of the world. We ail have grown accustomed to this and it even makes some sense. We cannot use democracy to decide if we should charge the Hill amid heavy shelling or just All go to Paris for the weekend. But Are we not entitled to some Freedom and individuality during our ofttimes and what about our spouses and children a Are they not entitled to the same surely the dress code in Darmstadt was just a misprint or a delayed april fools joke. And who will decide what is too Short for shorts or Loo tight for tights and what shirts were meant to be worn As outer garments what gives anyone the right to take away freedoms for which we or our forefathers have fought so Long and hard for i do not recall signing a waiver to the Bill of rights for myself or my family when i volunteered to serve my country by joining the . Army. A capt. Mark n. Marin Wurzburg West Germany. I find this Community commanders policy reminiscent of the repression in communist countries it is a total abuse of authority. Forcing ones ideals and prejudices on others is totally against what we As americans find fair and decent. A sgt. 1st class Randy e. Tuders Mertal West Germany 1 think he should direct his attention to the flagrant military uniform violations before he dictates a civilian dress code. Darmstadt Dod civilians who Are listed As Mission essential personnel Are authorized to Wear the Blu and to respond to Alert notifications in bus. I done to know of any regulation that authorizes Dod civilians to Wear the uniform of the . Army for any reason. If there is such a regulation the Dod civilians should be Given classes on the proper wearing of the uniform. A name withheld Darmstadt West Germany. Drawing on the classic work of Max Weber let us distinguish the difference in authority and Power. Power involves the use of coercive Force to make others yield to ones wishes even against their own will. Authority is achieved a or is conferred upon one a by virtue of character that others Are motivated to follow willingly. The attempt to dictate what off duty military personnel and their family members May Wear is a far More dangerous and offensive act against the Community then a pair of biker shorts or any other article of clothing. A Susan d. Henly Fulda West Germany i am in Complete agreement with the colonel and his dress code. Allowing soldiers or airmen to Wear a tank top while outside is no Way to run the military. If we let people use their own discretion in deciding what to Wear next thing we know they will be making More decisions on their own. Having free citizens even those in the military deciding who to vote for in elections How much to drink How to spend their Money or even what time to go to bed at night can Only Lead to anarchy. For the military to run efficiently we need total control. I am glad 1 am stationed at a military base where we Are treated like adults and our individualism is repeated. A sgt. Tony Sampedro Wei Brincken West Germany this is absurd the uniform i voluntarily Wear guarantees me the Freedom As a citizen and the utilization of democracy. There May be some instances where a dress code is mandatory but 1 feel this policy is totally outrageous. 1 would like the colonel to please justify this directive. A Karen Ballard Darmstadt West Germany Well summer is Back in Germany and it looks like the Guys in charge have run out of important things to do again. In a speaking about the resurgence of the perennial dress code. Now lets look at this realistically. As a former infantryman i fail to see How tank tops and bicycle shorts worn on Post affect combat readiness. And a Quick look Oft Post will reveal that the roads Are swarming with natives in similar attire its hardly a question of Host nation sensitivity Here in Germany. Face the facts. This is a Peoples army and soldiers and their spouses represent America a All of it. Americans love of comfortable clothing has spread across the world where Large numbers of people Don shorts to shirts and sweats As Leisure Wear. Granted there Are situations which demand More formal clothing however the Exchange the Bank and the commissary do not. The fact that so Many people want to Wear shorts sweats or sandals into these places should Tell you something. A name and location withheld there Are so Many real problems facing the military Community drug alcohol abuse child spouse abuse vandalism etc., that i would worry about someone who thought that the Way people dress on their own time is a first priority problem. I guess the next time i visit Darmstadt ill leave my Halter top at Home and arrive Bare chested. A Alice c. Lewis Ramstein a West Germany editors note a col. Darrel a. Mcferron Deputy Community commander Darmstadt military Community replies this responds to continuing inquiries by the stars and stripes and concerns from your readers about the Community directive on military and civilian standards of dress appearance and conduct. The policy that was the subject of the stars and stripes Story represents an Effort by the Darmstadt Community to provide the Type of environment in which soldiers civilian employees and family members can work and live together in a manner that respects individual rights but which also accommodates the needs of the military Community. Also it serves to demonstrate respect for the customs of our Host nation. In any Community there must be a balancing of individual rights and group needs. To have a Community with no rules and standards would invite chaos. The policy was designed to make known to members of the Darmstadt Community guidelines that represented minimal standards of dress and conduct in and around the military and civilian communities in which we work and live. The task of precisely defining some of the standards is not an easy one. All recognize the need to clearly define terms and to provide the Type of guidance that can be readily understood by All affected. This is necessary so that Well meaning individuals can know what is expected of them and so that leaders can ensure compliance in a consistent manner. This policy like All other Community policies is subject to constant examination to ensure that it is based on a valid military or Community need. We have received a few constructive comments As to How the Community a dress and conduct policy May be made More Clear and precise. These suggestions combined with our practical experience in administering the current policy will certainly result in clarifications to ensure that our standards Are easily understood by All members of the Community