Hands in the pockets?

SSG Nick Tramontano — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:54:52 -0400

How many times as a young soldier were you told to take your hands out of you pockets ? According to AR 670-1, It states something to the affect : Nothing is to be PROTRUDING from the pockets to include HANDS. (except you can have pens with the ACU) If you hand(s) are in the pocket(s) how are they protruding ?....Who writes these regs ?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 5:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:24:29 -0400

"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."

AR670-1 exact words.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 6:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:12:47 -0400

"I've got one hand in my pocket, the other is giving a peace sign."

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 27 at 2015 11:14 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 23:14:29 -0400

About everyday... I have to flaws... hands in pockets and reading glasses on my head... The CSM in my last Brigade would just come up and stop and stare at me... which after a few seconds made me realize I either had my hands in my pockets, or my glasses on top of my head... or both...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 12:02 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:02:25 -0400

I always had Chapstick in one pocket and keys or a pen in the other. So when Big Sarge came up to stomp a mud hole in me, I pulled them out! E4 Mofia all the way!!! Lol!!!

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 28 at 2015 2:59 AM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 02:59:58 -0400

It clearly states in the army regulation you can't have your hands in your pocket in the new update. Previous versions may have more vague or up to interpretation somewhat. The real questions are what's the reasoning for not having your hands in your pocket. Why did it become a regulatory mandate? Should we recommend the Army change this?

Response by SSG Nick Tramontano made Apr 28 at 2015 1:23 PM

SSG Nick Tramontano — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 13:23:37 -0400

What used to piss me off was having a Warrant Officer having a hand or two in the pocket(s) and telling me to take my hands out of my pockets. His answer would be 'Do as I say not as I do' !!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 8:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 20:02:43 -0400

I have been chronically guilty of this for 27+ years.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 23 at 2017 12:57 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:57:12 -0400

Here is a pix of me as a young soldier, note my left hand. Nothing was ever said to me about it.

Response by SPC Franklin McCoin made Jun 29 at 2018 7:05 AM

SPC Franklin McCoin — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 07:05:26 -0400

It gives comand something to do

Response by PO3 Jake Lucid made Jul 6 at 2018 9:39 AM

PO3 Jake Lucid — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 09:39:19 -0400

Ok history lesson time - through out history professional military were expected to keep and maintain a highly respectable manner and appearance in accordance with the manners and courtesies of the day. In the mid 1800s of high society a man woth his hands in his pockets were considered poor taste. As history progresses the societal seperations of the classes came upon the military- a working man with his hands in his pockets was deemed lazy and unsightful as he should be working....not atanding around with his hands in his pockets. As history has shown military code is oft changed with the societal views of certain mannerisms and cultural acceptances..one can only conclude the same applies to this regulation. Your appearance and behaviors in uniform reflect upon us all.....all services and service men women....
To sum it up- "get'cher dam hands outcher pockets and GET TO WORK"

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2019 12:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 12:16:27 -0400

I've only ever gotten yelled at for the pockets thing in basic. I sometimes walk with one hand in a pocket and the other swinging, i cant say where I am at right now (opsec) but I'm SURROUNDED by officers. They don't care, and if they do, they aren't telling me.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Dec 6 at 2019 2:45 PM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:45:56 -0500

I see a bunch of high speed super soldiers doing it, and its comfy at times. I did it, but didnt do it when I was around big flag pole kinds of places.

Response by PO2 Mike Vignapiano made Apr 26 at 2021 12:21 AM

PO2 Mike Vignapiano — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:21:27 -0400

Your hands attached to.... Yep that's right. You cannot detach your hands from your arms to place them in your pockets. Yes, it could be written better, but that is written for all uniforms. In your dress uniforms you (usually) cannot stick your hands all the way in past your wrists.