Though regulations state no hands in your pockets in uniform, what are your thoughts on those who hold their belt buckle or waistline?

PFC (Join to see) Your argument doesn't quite make sense but I looked and it had changed from

To

Hands in pockets make your uniform look slovenly. Also puts you unable to either defend or attack immediately.

SSgt Eric Swanson - The conversation has gone full circle. That was the original premise explained for not putting hands in pockets, and the one that makes the best sense..

I've been out of the Corps since 1981. My hands still don't go in my pockets.

It’s not a problem if you wear stars on your shoulder boards

The Gen in dress blues looks as if he is giving instruction. Way back when as a Sgt, I went to instructor school to become an 05B4H at radio school at Jackson. We were taught to put our unused hand in our pocket so as not to distract students.

SSgt Eric Swanson - I still don't either. I do hook my thumbs on my duty belt. Hoever, I am no longer active. I am a Corrections Officer and crossing your arms is the CO equivalent. Make you vulnerable to be held from behind.

First Sgt. It starts with the little things getting private’s to follow the standard and not question why can’t I. The time when the uniform reg was written the uniform was worn and pressed differently the creases would be broken and then it was wrinkled. The hands in pocket look like people are just standing around F&$ing off. Rangers are the most disciplined in the world. The rangers abide by standards. It’s a rule you have a chance to enforce often and it gets in young enlisted men’s and women’s heads that they can’t and shouldn’t question orders and standards just do it. It also sends signal that you are uncomfortable and nervous. It’s a subconscious thing it’s your mind making you feel like you are “hiding” it makes you a little less nervous but when you are supposed to be in control or looked at as the authority figure it looks like you can be pushed around. No matter how silly the standard we do it for a reason. Just like when we are cleaning weapons and Top walks in and someone yells at ease we all have to stand and top of course says “Carry on” that’s a silly one to a lot of people but it is still done.

The uniform board didn’t write the AR670-1 and the pockets are ordered to put keys in and chapStick other things you need. The REG actually even said you couldn’t carry anything in your pockets that caused a bulge. The reason was because the uniform was pressed and had creases and if you put your hands and big things in there it messes the look of it up. It looks sloppy. Remember we didn’t always have ACUs and BDUs. and how we wore them. The subconscious mind which thinks primitively believes that putting your hands in your pockets is a good way to hide and avoid a situation. If someone always puts his hands in his pockets he might lacks self confidence and may be uncomfortable around people. Others can pick up on that and it looks “weak” and you’re supposed to be an authority figure but you look like a puppy tucking his head. It just doesn’t look good at all. There is a time and place and I do believe the reg was written with things like the field and garrison in mind. Knowing that soldiers in the field may be a little more “lax” than in garrison. Similar to being able to work in your brown shirt and take your BDU/ACU top off. It’s not a hard fast standard it’s like the sleeves being rolled up or pants bloused. It’s up to your commander when you aren’t in garrison. The reason why we can’t is probably a good reason when it was written and things may have changed but for now it’s a reg and should be followed without question. The beard reg didn’t make sense to people for years even saying it looks professional now and it’s acceptable these days. The beard reg isn’t because it looks bad or unprofessional or anything like that it was written in when the Fear of chemical war fare was real and the ProMask was being used and carried. The promask can’t seal around the edges of the face with a full beard or any facial hair in the areas it comes in contact with the face. The solution is everyone shaves. Safety first. No hair may not be that big of a GAp but a small amount of chem. Could do you in. And if a large % of us have beards all it takes is one good hit to kill or clean out a large percentage of our force instantly.

1st Sgt. Haspels the Seals don’t have an AR(Army regulations) they have their own regs. Delta does abide by their own uniform standards. It’s because EVERY regulation in uniform wear and appearance is commander discretion because each and every unit has safety reasons they can’t wear certain things and the commander wants a specific uniform worn for a specific duty and a Brig. Gen at the Garrison level doesn’t know what Charlie Co 1/79 is doing today so the Capt Or Lt Col for the Battalion has to add to the regs. They can always add to but never take away from the regs. Delta doesn’t wear everything exact for safety and tactical reasons when they are in a tactical situation but they do when they are on post and they are going to be working in garrison. It burns me up to watch a movie and it looks like the soldiers and sailors are just wearing the uniform like a 10th grade high school kid wears his comfortable clothes.

1SG (Join to see) true story, I did have a SR NCO that walked around checking socks, hands in pockets, shave jobs (if they had to shave a second time), etc. I understand following the regs and it makes sense yet this cannot be the sole job of the NCO to monitor this and point out all these issues. Literally stopped us from working to inspect and pull others from the jobsite just to point out more and more. There are soldiers that in training and combat environments get rush from pointing out others.
I'm a firm believer in what you are says 1SG, just wish I had more like-minded leaders in my command.

I'd be interested to read that in the actual reg. Can you narrow it down to chapter or paragraph number, by chance?

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 - I was actually talking about the completely portable and issued USAF hand warmers, your pockets. But I have seen some knuckheads try to use MRE warmers to warm themselves. It never ended well.... Use a rock or something and that something should not be your body!

I am referring to a 'JONEE' hand warmer that used cigarette lighter lighter fluid to create a small 'glow' and warmth.

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 - Oh Holy Cow, that's the best ever!

MAJ Charles Blake - Army issues gloves try using them......

Hooah 1SG!

It's about the mind being disciplined.

PO1 Micheal DeAmicis you're entitled to your opinion young Petty Officer Pockets, as to calling me an "Ate Up Asshole."
As a 1SG of an Infantry Company where discipline, respect and attention details means something, the smallest thing like keeping your hands out of your pockets according to regulations, starts the ball rolling.

PO1 Micheal DeAmicis Wow bubba. You've got some anger issues don't you LMFAO. Maybe next time before you hit post you should proof read what you wrote because most of it didn't make sense.
You did 14yrs and only made E6? Guess having your hands in your pockets didn't help you much did it LOL

Ten months later and this is still one of few responses that actually answer the question.

Well then, yeehaw!

Yeehaw!

But I am a cowboy.