Walking on the grass - big deal! or what's the big deal?

Never understood this one. I can do PT in the grass, I can obviously walk on it for police calls, why can't I walk on it to quickly get from point A to point B?

It is and has always been a common rule, DON'T.WALK.ON.THE.GRASS! Back in the day, you could be outside on a Sunday at 0230 and as soon as you stepped on the grass, you had like three CSM's chewing your ass like you slapped their mother. Today is quite different. At JBLM, units actually do PT ON THE PARADE FIELD in front of HQ. No one seems to bat an eye...crazy. There is that saying in the Army, "Do the right thing, even when no one is looking." I think that this speaks to that saying.

Several people made valid points-both for and against walking on the grass. In my opinion, yes it does show a lack of attention to detail by not using the sidewalks that were built to begin with....HOWEVER, I firmly believe that the idiot who designed the layout of most Army sidewalks did so just to make life more miserable. It is a waste of time to walk around the block to get to another building. Sidewalks should be placed in a manner that allows movement from one to another in the most expeditious way possible.

When walking on the grass, sometimes you can't see where the dog poop is. At least on the sidewalk, you can.
It's just one of those little "attention to detail" things that show you are aware of your surroundings and where you are - something that filters down through out your military life.
In reality - it gives that CSM something to chew your ass about!!

In a military environment, it is disrespectful.

I think it depends where one is. Some installations have entire areas that are for looks-so stay off the grass. Some installations use it as a form of security-i.e. stay off the grass, which could indicate someone who is not familiar with local policy and indicate a breach...And of course most bases have Sergeant Majors/Master Chiefs/Chief Master Sergeants who think it is their grass, and in that case, stay off of it.

Never understood the whyfores behind this one, just knew not to do it or I would incur the wrath of some CSM or other!!

Let's face it grass is softer than concrete

If there is a sidewalk then use it but certain units are designed to where it would not be feasible. For example I should not have to walk all the way around the block to get to another building when I can just walk out the back a building, across the grass, and into another. If someone does not want people on their grass then put up a sign and ensure the correct path is well stated. By walking over the grass I feel that it is not being damaged in any way. If there is something I am not tracking please let me know for my awareness.

I would not walk on freshly laid grass or recently grass seeded areas CSM Michael J. Uhlig out of respect for whoever planted it and because I have have planted a lot of grass myself.
Established grass in cemeteries and public places is another matter, those I would treat on a situation by situation basis in terms of whether or not I would obey the "keep of the grass" signs.