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Question For Current Army Members: Hands In Pockets

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February 21, 2022, 10:50 AM
PASig
Question For Current Army Members: Hands In Pockets
I've been seeing this more and more in articles about the US Army deploying here and there and just saw it again with a UK Daily Mail article on US Army troops in Poland. In nearly every video clip or photo they show of troops, half of them are standing around or walking around with their hands in their pockets! Is this something that has been relaxed in recent years? Is it not a big deal anymore?

I was in the Army from 1991-1995 and you simply DID NOT put your hands in your pockets other than to retrieve something, if you tried it you'd get called out and yelled at pretty quick.

I'm just wondering if things like this have gone away over the years and it's not considered an infraction or violation of standards any longer?


February 21, 2022, 10:59 AM
mrapteam666
As far as I know it is still against regulations to have your hands in your pockets whether walking or standing unless retrieving an item.

But.... heck what do I know, everything changes from minute to minute. I am not talking about regs but the grey areas...

It is a joke. I have two years left and I am counting the days..


God forbid if you correct someone... OR HOLD someone to a standard especially if you cannot click a special interest block.

About two weeks ago I got promoted to SGT.. I made a joke to the Counter Intel SGT Major about how this proves the standards are lowered and in the crapper and he did not find it funny at all.. Now the 1SG and SGM at the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations unit thought it was hilarious..
February 21, 2022, 11:11 AM
Sig209
been out many years but AR 670-1 still applies

anybody actually holding anyone else to a standard ?? that's a whole 'nother question

don't get me started on the 'status' of the Army Physical Fitness Test debacle.

sheesh

------------------------


Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
February 21, 2022, 11:18 AM
corsair
Air Force hand-warmers?


Much depends on enforcement by their Sr NCO's. If you're in a Ranger Batt or, another unit with a high readiness, hands in pocket will be rewarded.
If you're in a SOF unit, standards are relaxed.
Regular line unit, depends on the NCO's and their standards. With the Navy's F-35 video leak, four of those identified for punishment are Chief Petty Officers (E-7), they know better, they're senior enlisted charged with maintaining standards and behavior.
February 21, 2022, 11:33 AM
sigmonkey
It was recently changed (about 6 months ago) in the USAF reg, that hands in pockets (Army Mittens) are permitted.

Not sure about other branches.




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
February 21, 2022, 12:34 PM
Edmond
It's one of the dumbest things ever. Can't have your hands in your pocket, can't cross your arms, can't put your hands on your hips. How about everyone just stand there with their arms straight down like an early 90s Madden football game character? Roll Eyes

And they don't want you to put stuff in your pockets. Why are there pockets then?

Stuff in the SOF world makes more common sense. It's cold out so I'm going to put gloves and a beanie on even though 100% of everyone else doesn't have them on.

Then again the Army is the same organization that uses POW (personally owned weapon) as an acronym for gun and POV (personally owned vehicle) for car. Roll Eyes


_____________

February 21, 2022, 12:44 PM
bdylan
Good grief, pocket pool is now encouraged.
February 21, 2022, 12:59 PM
Flash-LB
quote:
Originally posted by bdylan:
Good grief, pocket pool is now encouraged.


Not a good idea to play pocket pool as the referee is a prick.
February 21, 2022, 01:09 PM
Oregon
quote:
Originally posted by Edmond:
It's one of the dumbest things ever. Can't have your hands in your pocket, can't cross your arms, can't put your hands on your hips. How about everyone just stand there with their arms straight down like an early 90s Madden football game character? Roll Eyes

And they don't want you to put stuff in your pockets. Why are there pockets then?



I agree completely. Hold people to a standard that actually makes sense.


___________________________________________

"Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?"
-Dr. Thaddeus Venture
February 21, 2022, 01:14 PM
MikeinNC
Ha, when I was in boot camp for the CG our Company Commander made us sew shut the pockets to our dress uniforms, pants and blouse.

If you smoked your cigs and lighter were in your sock.



"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein

“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020

“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
February 21, 2022, 01:23 PM
PHPaul
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Ha, when I was in boot camp for the CG our Company Commander made us sew shut the pockets to our dress uniforms, pants and blouse.

If you smoked your cigs and lighter were in your sock.


Ya old fart! Big Grin

I bet ya eyeballed sailor's gig lines too dint ya.

In the Navy I was in - lo, these many years ago - You did NOT put your hands in your pockets, you did NOT turn up the collar on your peacoat and you did NOT carry anything in your pockets that made an outline. Military appearance outside of your workspace was taken quite seriously.

I spent 3 years at Naval Base Charleston and the bubbleheads could get away with wearing their poopy suits in the Exchange. The rest of us commoners would catch hell for wearing clean, pressed wash khakis (ie, khaki uniform with just collar devices, no ribbons). Pissed me off no end but I was told in no uncertain terms NOT to kick that anthill...




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
February 21, 2022, 01:32 PM
bcereuss
quote:
Originally posted by PHPaul:
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Ha, when I was in boot camp for the CG our Company Commander made us sew shut the pockets to our dress uniforms, pants and blouse.

If you smoked your cigs and lighter were in your sock.


Ya old fart! Big Grin

I bet ya eyeballed sailor's gig lines too dint ya.

In the Navy I was in - lo, these many years ago - You did NOT put your hands in your pockets, you did NOT turn up the collar on your peacoat and you did NOT carry anything in your pockets that made an outline. Military appearance outside of your workspace was taken quite seriously.

I spent 3 years at Naval Base Charleston and the bubbleheads could get away with wearing their poopy suits in the Exchange. The rest of us commoners would catch hell for wearing clean, pressed wash khakis (ie, khaki uniform with just collar devices, no ribbons). Pissed me off no end but I was told in no uncertain terms NOT to kick that anthill...


That’s just the way we roll!!
February 21, 2022, 02:11 PM
straightshooter1
Gosh, I remember now why I got out of the Army.

Sadly, it apparently stuck. I still never put my hands in my pockets except when I am trying to get something out. And, it's been almost 54 years. If I have a shirt or jacket with buttons, they are always fastened. And, of course I check my gig line.

Bob
February 21, 2022, 02:56 PM
Edmond
Oh yeah, on the wet weather gear you can’t wear the hood up. Then why the fuck is there a hood???


_____________

February 21, 2022, 04:05 PM
tacfoley
quote:
Originally posted by Edmond:Oh yeah, on the wet weather gear you can’t wear the hood up. Then why the fuck is there a hood???


Stupid question. It's there so that it can be ironed flat.
February 21, 2022, 04:15 PM
vthoky
What's a poopy suit? Confused




God bless America.
February 21, 2022, 04:18 PM
RogueJSK
Blue coveralls


February 21, 2022, 05:13 PM
PHPaul
^^^ Poopy Suits - OK



^^^Wash Khakis (aka Working Khakis) Not Okay.

???




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
February 21, 2022, 05:17 PM
vthoky
Thank you.
Why's it called a poopy suit?




God bless America.
February 21, 2022, 05:27 PM
Blume9mm
don't know about the military currently but I had a customer that called me and had fired the previous service person because when she answered the door the guy had his hands in his pockets and a hat on....


My Native American Name:
"Runs with Scissors"