Since the health care topic was such a serious one, I figured I would post my first topic and make it a less serious and detailed one! With myself being a Marine wife, MiddleChild being a retired soldier, and FlSailMom being the mother of a retired soldier, I figured we would have lots of different view points on the topic.
So my question is, do you think service men and women should be able to wear their cammies in public? I am simplifying it down to cammies rather than mentioning dress blues (or whatever "fancy" dress attire the other branches wear.)
I am a Marine wife and therefore it is hardwired into my brain to not be okay with this. The Marine Corps is 80% mental, 20% physical (I believe those are the numbers, please do not quote me haha.) The uniform rule is just one of the mentalities they are taught to live by it. The rule being that a Marine cannot wear their cammies in public. Not to the gas station, bank, store, anywhere. Do I agree with the rule? Absolutely!
1. Rules are rules. No matter what job you do, you will have rules and will be expected to follow them. Whether you like the rule or not is of no importance and it must be followed regardless or consequences are likely to occur.
2. Safety. A service member walking around in uniform immediately becomes a target. The sad reality is that many Americans do not agree with war and actively seek out revenge on members of the armed forces.
3. Work is work. Work should be kept separate from non work related events or places as much as possible. When work starts being introduced into other areas, problems arise. Many marriages fail as the result of stress from work. Same goes for uniforms. It is a uniform for a reason. To be worn to work. Not to your child's basketball game.
4. Convenience? Honestly, how hard is it to take five minutes to change out of cammies? My husband has done it on numerous occasions and it has never been a burden.
5. Misconduct. I have witnessed fights amongst people in uniform in airports. Bottom line, it makes all who wear the uniform look bad. It is stereotypical and sad, but that is the world we live in.
*Just an FYI, I do not expect anyone to go as in depth with this discussion as I did. I simply felt like blogging and it is something I hear about on a normal basis being the wife of a Marine.
I do believe that the military should be able to wear their uniforms in public. It would be a pain to have to drive all the way home to change just to run into the store for a gallon of milk that your spouse could be needing, who is holding a screaming baby at home. Also, if there were a great number soldiers wearing their uniforms then they would be less of a threat. Such as police men, fire men, ect. They should be able to be prideful in their uniforms instead of being taught to hide it.
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