[NY Attitude]

You are correct about the US Marines making this decision. But I would almost bet that a big part of the decision was based upon the attitude of California lawmakers and peaceniks within the state. It wasn’t too long ago that returning troops were spit upon and called baby killers. Being a former career military person, I personally do not see anything wrong with making a quick stop for gas while in fatigues, BDUs, etc.

[Always A Marine]

You are missing the point completely. The Corps has a long-standing practice of wearing appropriate attire for specific occasions and situations. It was never appropriate to wear Utilities (or Cammies) off base. Several commands have loosened the restriction at different times to allow the brief convenience stops that many have described here -- but with disastrous results. Each time this was tried, the "exceptional" nature was soon forgotten and the stops got longer and more widespread, and pretty soon Jacksonville and Oceanside were filled with off-duty Marines in their sloppiest uniforms. With his "new" edict, General Conway is just taking the Corps back to its roots.

The Corps wants its Marines to appear in uniform, but in the appropriate uniform. Off base, the appropriate uniform is the informal Service "C" or "Charlies" (dress shoes, green trousers, khaki shirt and garrison cap) or the more formal Service "A" or "Alphas" (with belted green coat and khaki shirt and tie). Those are the minimums, and the Dress "C" (with blue trousers) and Dress Blue uniforms can also be worn when appropriate. Civvies are not the only option for off-base attire.

[USMCVet]

Nope. It has always been Marine Corps policy that the utility uniform is not suitable for off-base wear. We have appropriate service uniforms for off-base.

As far as I know, that has always been Marine Corps policy.

So if you see a fatigue/cammie/BDU/ACU uniform in public, it's a soldier not a Marine.

[dalereed]

“But I would almost bet that a big part of the decision was based upon the attitude of California lawmakers and peaceniks within the state.”

In Oceanside, we hold parades for them!