1. Background.
(a) U.S. personnel (service members, DoD civilians, and their dependents) must be aware of local sensitivities and cultural values in order to minimize the impact of U.S. military presence and reduce, to the maximum extent possible, any potential host nation friction. Authorized and prohibited clothing specified in this
instruction is specific to this AOR and may be more restrictive than military regulations.
2. Applicability.
(a) All U.S. personnel attached to COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT units must adhere to the requirements of this general order or to the guidance from other CENTCOM designated authority for the country in which they are stationed, whichever is more
restrictive.
(b) COMUSNAVCENT exercises force protection responsibilities over all U.S. personnel - to include non-component command military personnel, their dependents, and all civilians serving with, employed by, or accompanying U.S. Armed Forces in Bahrain. All U.S. personnel must adhere to the requirements of this general order.
(c) Under the authority of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Title 10, United States Code, Sections 801-940, and U.S. Navy Regulations, 1990, this order is punitive in nature. Violation of this general order by civilians may result in removal of command sponsorship and subsequent removal from the USCENTCOM AOR or other administrative action.
3 . Policy on Civilian Attire and Uniforms.
(a) Civilian Attire.
(1) General.
It is impossible to cover all combinations of attire. The goal is to clearly define acceptable attire for U.S. personnel, (and dependents over age 13) in order to project a good impression to host nation populations as well as reinforce COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT's policy of "Liberty as a Mission" Civilian attire shall present a neat, conservative appearance.
(a) Neither males nor females shall wear clothing of design or fabric that could be considered revealing.
(b) Conservative slacks, denim pants (jeans), skirts, dresses, or shorts and collared shirts are generally acceptable for liberty; however, some hotels and clubs expect patrons to dress more formally (e.g., dress slacks, coat and tie} and will not allow access unless personnel are properly attired. Paragraphs 3a 2-10 provide comprehensive guidance on the standard of civilian clothing to be worn outside U.S. military installations in areas under the cognizance of COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT
(2) Always Prohibited Male piercings;
Male piercings; Female piercings other than a maximum of two earrings per ear; The wear of native attire by U.S. military members (except those of the Muslim
faith) such as the male thobe and guttra or female abaya. Females visiting mosques are exempt; Clothing with military and unit-related logos and graphics; Any clothing found to be offensive by a reasonable person.
(3) Head gear Authorized: (MALE)
Ball caps, visors, wool watch caps/beanies (not frayed or displaying offensive logos}; Muslim males are
authorized appropriate head covering.
Prohibited: (MALE)
Bandannas; Du-rags; Cloth head coverings other than authorized above.
Authorized: (FEMALE)
Ball caps, visors, wool watch caps/beanies (not frayed of displaying offensive logos); Scarf to protect from UV light (while transiting); Muslim females are
authorized appropriate head covering.
Prohibited: (FEMALE)
Bandannas; du-rags; cloth head coverings other than authorized above.
(4) Shirts
Authorized: (MALE)
Casual or dress type t-shirts not intended as undergarments; Collared shirts.
Prohibited: (MALE)
Undershirts (green, brown or white); Tank tops; Shirts revealing mid-section; Shirts with no sleeves; Shirts with cutouts or made of sheer fabric; Frayed shirts;
Shirts with graphics and/or text related to the following topics:
Political/Religious
Nudity or sexual innuendos
Drugs or alcohol
Gang-related logos
Any other subject matter considered offensive by a reasonable person.
Authorized: (FEMALE)
Casual or dress type t-shirts not intended as undergarments; Collared shirts.
Prohibited: (FEMALE)
Undershirts
(green, brown or white); Tank tops, tube tops, or spaghetti-strap shirts; Shirts with plunging necklines or that reveal mid-section; Shirts with no sleeves or sleeves covering less than 3 inches from the shoulder seam; Shirts with cutouts or made of sheer fabric; Frayed shirts; Shirts with graphics and/or text related to the following topics:
Political/Religious
Nudity or sexual innuendos
Drugs or alcohol
Gang-related logos
Any other subject matter considered offensive by a reasonable person.
(5) Pants/Slacks/Shorts/Skirts
Authorized: (MALE)
Jeans and slacks; casual shorts:
No more than 2 inches above the knee, measured from the top of knee cap.
Prohibited: (MALE)
Jeans,
shorts, or slacks that have manufactured or worn fraying, holes, rips, tears; Shorts worn higher than 2 inches above the knee; Unusually loose or baggy; Cut-off shorts; Any clothes that expose undergarments.
Authorized (FEMALE)
Jeans, slacks and Capri pants; Skirts, dresses and casual shorts:
No more than 2 inches above the knee, measured from the top of knee cap.
Prohibited: (FEMALE)
Jeans, shorts, or slacks that have manufactured or worn fraying, holes, rips, tears; Shorts worn higher than 2 inches above knee; Unusually loose or baggy; Cut-off shorts; Any clothes that expose undergarments; Skirts worn more than two inches above the knee.(6) Shoes
Authorized: (ALL)
Running Shoes/Sneakers; Dress Shoes; Sandals made to be worn as normal footwearProhibited: (ALL)
Rubber or plastic shower shoes; Pool Shoes.(7) PT Attire (ALL HANDS)
Authorized off Base:
Loose fitting shorts or pants; T -Shirts (no undershirts)Prohibited off Base:
U.S. military PT Uniform (PTU).(8) Mobile Phone and Headphones
Mobile phones may be used in uniform but will not interfere with the proper render of military honors and courtesies. Headphones, including those used with mobile phones, are not allowed while in uniform.(9) Traditional Host Nation Attire
Traditional host nation male attire (thobe and guttra) and host nation female attire (abaya) shall not be worn in public or at social events (private or public) by U.S. military personnel except those of the Muslim faith. In addition, no member of the Armed Forces may be required or encouraged by U.S. authorities to wear the abaya or any part of the abaya garment anywhere in the COMUSNAVCENT/ COMFIFTHFLT AOR. Females visiting mosques in accordance with limitations of Tab B to Appendix 4 to Annex E of this OPORD are exempt.(10) Ramadan
While there are no additional civilian attire restrictions/requirements during Ramadan, personal behavior ashore must be above reproach and should always demonstrate deference to local customs. Specific guidance regarding Ramadan customs and laws is located in Paragraph 8 of Tab B to Appendix 4 (Liberty Policy for All Hands in the COMUSNAVCENT Area of Responsibility) of this Annex.
Military Uniforms
(1) General. Personnel shall not wear military uniforms on liberty when off a U.S. military compound. Military uniforms will not be worn in public or in the public areas of hotels or commercial establishments unless on official business or specifically authorized by COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT, U.S. Embassy, or other CENTCOM designated authority.(2) Military Uniforms in Transit. Unless specifically authorized by COMUSNAVCENT or listed as an exception below, wearing a military uniform in transit from a private residence or hotel to any military installation is prohibited. During transit off base, uniforms will be kept covered in an opaque bag or garment bag. The following are exceptions to wearing uniforms in transit:
(a) NWU Type I, II and III uniforms may be worn in a "Dressed Down" condition during transits between places of duty such as NSA Bahrain, the Aviation Unit, Mina Salman pier, and Isa Air Base. "Dressed Down" requires the blouse and headgear to be removed. Personnel traveling in official vehicles with darkened windows may remain bloused.
(b) Personnel transiting while in uniform shall not leave the vehicle unless physically within the facility compound.
(3) ID Cards. All personnel in civilian clothes will have their DOD Armed Forces Identification card in their possession but not openly displayed.