wales@CS.UCLA.EDU (Rich Wales) (11/07/89)
From: wales@CS.UCLA.EDU (Rich Wales)
>From various reading (fiction and non-fiction), I've gathered that it's
common in some (many?) military organizations to require that a soldier
keep his hat or cap on whenever he is carrying a sidearm -- even in sit-
uations (e.g., indoors) where taking off of the cap would be permitted
or even expected.
Not having any military experience myself, I am curious as to why such a
rule would exist. Is there some practical purpose (e.g., keeping hands
free to use the weapon at a moment's notice)? A symbolic purpose (e.g.,
to remind the soldier, and others around him, that he's armed and thus
can't "get comfortable")? Or is it simply one of these "just so" rules
whose logical basis, if there ever was any, was long ago forgotten?
-- Rich Wales <wales@CS.UCLA.EDU> // UCLA Computer Science Department
3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, CA 90024-1596 // +1 (213) 825-5683
"Mr. Scott, since we are here, your statement is not only illogical,
but unworthy of refutation."sampson@attctc.Dallas.TX.US (Steve Sampson) (11/08/89)
From: sampson@attctc.Dallas.TX.US (Steve Sampson) I believe the procedure is used to identify the individual as armed. The only hat authorized by regulation is the Policemans Beret. I don't think anyone will complain if you where a Kevlar or Steel helmet though. I used to wear my "Cunt Cap" and my Flight Suit inside the BX and when someone told me to take my hat off - I'd pull my switchblade and stick it up their nose. I'm older now, so I don't find it as fun as it was. This is only applicable to USAF, I don't know what the other services specify. MSgt Steve Sampson
woody@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Wayne Wood) (11/09/89)
From: eos!woody@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Wayne Wood) In article <11198@cbnews.ATT.COM> wales@CS.UCLA.EDU (Rich Wales) writes: > > >From: wales@CS.UCLA.EDU (Rich Wales) > >>From various reading (fiction and non-fiction), I've gathered that it's >common in some (many?) military organizations to require that a soldier >keep his hat or cap on whenever he is carrying a sidearm -- even in sit- >uations (e.g., indoors) where taking off of the cap would be permitted >or even expected. > >Not having any military experience myself, I am curious as to why such a >rule would exist. Is there some practical purpose (e.g., keeping hands >free to use the weapon at a moment's notice)? A symbolic purpose (e.g., >to remind the soldier, and others around him, that he's armed and thus >can't "get comfortable")? Or is it simply one of these "just so" rules >whose logical basis, if there ever was any, was long ago forgotten? > when i was in the army, the cover always came off indoors. but then we saluted even when uncovered. when i was in the marines, we always uncovered indoors unless we were on duty, in which case we wore a pistol belt [although not necessarily the pistol] and our cover. even though we were not always armed, we were considered "under arms" and thus were required to salute. i don't know the exact cause for this behavior, but i believe it is traditional as is much of the non-sensical bullshit in the military. it serves to remind the poor sod on duty that he is "official" and also the other people around him that he is the local authority. think of it as an elaborate policeman's badge. if i can dig out my Marine Corps Manual, i'll try to verify this or come up with a better explanation. BTW... SEMPER FI gentlemen, we're 214... A TOAST: to God, Corps, Country, and our brothers THE ROYALS... /*** woody **************************************************************** *** ...tongue tied and twisted, just an earth bound misfit, I... *** *** -- David Gilmour, Pink Floyd *** ****** woody@eos.arc.nasa.gov *** my opinions, like my mind, are my own ******/