Can a soldier in uniform be at the mall eating lunch?

Yes, a soldier in uniform can be doing just about anything, except activities specifically prohibited by the military. Soldiers need to eat food and sometimes they need to shop, too. A typical enlisted man makes a base pay (E-4, 4 years service) of about $26,000 per year and is allowed to spend it as he likes.

Army regulation AR670-1 provided certain limits on when certain uniforms called BDUs can be worn. They cannot be worn while in a drinking establishment, or in a restaurant if the primary purpose is drinking alcohol. There is no restriction on eating.

Some bases have further restrictions on what activities can be done in uniform.