Under what conditions may ear flaps be worn down on the patrol cap?

• A. Ear flaps may be worn down during cold weather at the wearer's discretion, except in formation when the commander may prescribe wear policy.
• B. Ear flaps must always be down.
• C. Ear flaps must be removed in cold weather.
• D. Ear flaps are never worn down.

Answer: (A)

Wearing ear flaps on the patrol cap is addressed by a policy that allows practical warmth while maintaining order in group settings. In cold weather, you may have the ear flaps down at your own discretion, so you can choose for comfort when not in formal formations. However, when you’re in formation, the commander may prescribe a specific wear policy, and you must follow that directive. This setup gives personal flexibility to stay warm while ensuring uniformity and discipline during organized events.

This is why the statement about discretion in cold weather, with the formation exception, best fits. It isn’t correct to say they must always be down, or must be removed in cold weather, or that they’re never worn down, because those rigid rules don’t reflect the conditional guidance given for different social or operational contexts.