What is "unprofessional" about your hands in the pockets? ...?

Question

I would like to know the real historical reason why military people in uniform or veterans avoid having their hands in their pockets? What is "unprofessional" about your hands in the pockets? ...

Any historical reference/reason welcomed

Answer 1

History does not matter when obeying an order or a reg. Besides I could not find anything.

AR 670-1 1-9 on page 6 says "you will not put your hands in your pockets (while in uniform) except briefly to remove or place objects.

Oh yeah, it's difficult to salute.
Makes you look like a civilian slob.
It is not acceptable in business either. Makes it hard to shake hands, the civilian equivalent of the salute.

In short "Do what you are told"

Interesting question though.

SSG US Army 73-82
Corporate Management 82-2000

Answer 2

Ar 670-1 Powerpoint

Answer 3

AR 670-1, chapter 3, section 6, item 3 states,


(3) While in uniform, personnel will not place their hands in their pockets, except momentarily to place or retrieve
objects. Soldiers will keep uniforms buttoned, zipped, and snapped. They will ensure that metallic devices such as
metal insignia, belt buckles, and belt tips are free of scratches and corrosion and properly polished or properly subdued,
as applicable. Soldiers will ensure all medals and ribbons are clean and not frayed. Personnel will keep boots and shoes
cleaned and/or shined, as appropriate. Soldiers will replace the insignia listed in AR 700–84 when it becomes
unserviceable or no longer conforms to standards.
That means under no circumstances do you, or anyone, leave your hands in your pockets. If anyone tells you otherwise, remind them that they are professionals, not back on the block, be-bopping. Do the right thing.

Answer 4

Having hands out of pockets makes you look more powerful. It was a custom long ago to raise an open hand to show you were not holding a weapon. This was later turned into the military salute. With hands in pockets you resemble to a slight degree the turtle with his head tucked inside. One last thing for your safety, never go up and down stairs or walk a tight rope with your hands in your pockets.

Answer 5

The Infantry God created gloves to cover your hands if they're cold, your hands should either be at your sides or behind your back!! It is unprofessional looking because Army Regulation says so, it is unprofessional because it makes you look like a SLUG walking around with your hands shoved in your pockets!

It looks as if you're trying to conceal something in your pocket. In the days of the highly starched OG107 fatigue uniforms we weren't allowed to put anything into our pockets, nothing at all. If you smoked you hid your cigarettes and lighter in the cuff of your trouser leg. You clipped your pen to the inside flap of your fatigue shirt. It displayed that you had attention to detail and kept your uniform looking outstanding all day long.

When Top came looking for $#!+ birds to pull a $#!+ detail he picked the guys what looked like $#!+ birds first and the guys what looked like soldiers he left alone! Walking around with your hangs in your pockets makes you look like a $#!+ bird, end of discussion!!!

Answer 6

My god man! Are you insane?! If someone put a hand in a pocket, why, before you know it they'll be eating with elbows on the table! And then we may as well just turn it all over to the Commies. You want the Commies to win, son? Hands in the pockets, I've never heard of anything so ridiculous, I've never been so personally insulted! I bet you're the kind of guy that will walk AND talk on a cell phone instead of stand still. Well lemme tell you- every step is an insult and only emboldens the terrorists! And wearing both shoulder straps of a backpack on your shoulders- how dare you! Wait, what? That's allowed now and no longer decreed a travesty/atrocity/abomination unto the Lord? Well then, carry on soldier. But those hands... in those pockets...

[/sarcasm]
Ah, that rule's a perfect example of the random, absurd, unnecessary oppression that makes me resent my job every day.

Answer 7

Play pocket Q

Answer 8

A soldier is supposed to look smart at all times, hands in the pockets makes you look like a corner boy.

Answer 9

www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/cpc/pdf/service_etiquette.ppt

Here's a PowerPoint presentation listing the do's and don'ts of etiquette for a person in military service.

I could not find any historical reference. It's an assumption that it is rude. It also may hark back to always being prepared for battle. If you walk along with your hands in your pockets you are not ready to protect mother, country, or life.

Answer 10

It takes away from the respect you deserve as a Military Representative of America. Just like long hair, earrings or other decorations that make you look like a slob or a "Gay" Caballero!!. USMC 60-68