Posted on Jan 25, 2015
SSG(P) Photographer/Owner
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I wear a ring on the pointer finger of my left hand. It's sterling silver and isn't even as big as a class ring. However, a SSG from my unit is constantly telling me to take it off because it is not a wedding ring. I tell him AR 670-1 states in section Jewlery that a soldier my wear a total of 2 rings; 1 on each hand, and a wedding band set is considered 1. It also states that rings must be conservative in taste and not extreme. Nowhere in the Regs does it say a soldier can only wear wedding rings. My ring meets all requirements but he still yells everytime he sees it. How can I educate him more or resolve the situation without taking off my ring and without getting chewed out?
Posted in these groups: Af2d4403 Conservative454274742x356 DA Pam 670-1
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CW3 Air Ambulance Pilot
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Edited 9 y ago
The far greater problem here is that of an NCO not enforcing Army Standards, but instead enforcing his own personal preference, as if it were an Army Standard.
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SSG(P) Transportation Management Coordinator
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The regulation read as such:

AR 670-1, para 3-4a. "Soldiers may wear a wristwatch, a wrist identification bracelet, and a total of two rings (a wedding set is considered one ring) with Army uniforms."

The key words in this regulation are "may wear." You can add to the regulation, but never take away from. If the regulation says you're allowed to jump five feet, and I say, "you can only jump three feet," the regulation has not been violated, because the limit has not been exceeded. It's the same the other way around. If the regulation says you must (key word is "must") have two sets of ID tags, and I say you will have at least three, the standard is still met because the requirement is met.

SPC Cody Voye , I personally, would not make a big deal about it. Maybe if you posted a picture of the item in question and where you wear it, then maybe I would have a better idea of what we are talking about, exactly.

To realistic, is this really that big of an issue? If it was a class ring, one from Basic or West Point, I could understand the arguement and would fight for it in a heartbeat, as it represents brotherhood. However, is it not easier to just say "roger" and drive on?
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1SG Eoc Ops Coordinator / Ga Certified Emergency Manager
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My 1st question is "what was the reason he told you take it off?" You failed to mention that. Without know the reason I would say, Specialist...take off the damn ring! You're an E4, he's a SSG! Have you asked him why he's been on you to remove the ring? If not, then you should have instead of posting in RP. If you've asked and did not like the answer (most likely case) then go to your PSG and/or 1SG.

If you chose not to take it to them, then you most likely already know their answer, However apparently he's chosen to try to keep it at his level and take it higher himself. Apparently you like being an E4 and have no aspirations of going higher.....at least not with this SSG in charge!

The AR is a GUIDE! Your education comes from your unit leaders! If you doubt him...go ask the next above him! One day you may be in his position yelling over and over again at an E4 for he same thing....just not in your present unit! You're setting yourself up to be an E4 there for quite some time!

Is it worth it?
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SGM Mikel Dawson
SGM Mikel Dawson
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Specialists, Remember this thread if you ever get a finger jerked off by a ring.
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SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA
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Edited >1 y ago
I will be honest here: Is it really worth the trouble? Wearing a ring is making a statement unless it is a class ring or wedding ring, in uniform you are NOT an individual...otherwise why would you fight to wear it?

Take it off and wear it off duty, a ring can be the end of a finger in many a situation ; combat, training and sports, to name a few.

Prioritize the importance of the battles you wage, this is definitely not a priority and in my humble opinion the NCO is in the right asking you to take it off, why?

You wrote it yourself: "It also states that rings must be conservative in taste and not extreme"
This is left open to interpretation and when it comes to that, the highest ranks interpretation county, period.

Steady on,
Steven
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CW3 Network Architect
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Depends on what it is, SGT Kuhn... because sometimes someone gets a little authority and wants to enforce personal whims rather than what's regulation.

You're shocked that anyone above an E4 would consider defending the 'right' to do anything? We're not robots, nor did we relinquish all constitutional rights at the door to the MEPS station.

Case in point: I speak German with my wife. Suppose someone senior to me hears me talking to her and gets all butthurt because I'm not speaking English. Why should they be able to use their rank to order me to speak English?

Power used for personal whim is wrong. Power used with authority to do right is right.
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SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA
SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA
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CW3 (Join to see) - wir können ja auch Deutsch Sprechen wann das besser ist!
The reason I say this is in the bigger picture (The Military, the Nation and the World) we are speaking of an enlisted person who is banging on his "opinion" about a ring (if you saw it, you would agree, it does not fit the description of conservative) the regs clearly state conservative. Of course each person has a different perception of conservative but when the NCO believes it is not in Regs (or Officer or whoever) then the EM needs to listen up, there is no argument, this is how the Military works, questioning authority due to a ring? This is a waste of time and shows the EM does not know how to choose or set priorities.
As far as speaking German, the comparison does not fit to this situation.
Ein fantastischen Tag noch der Herr,
Steven
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CW3 Network Architect
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I saw the picture he posted of the ring, and it's a hell of a lot less flashy than some I've seen on the ring-knockers. (aka West Point grads).

So we're going to have to agree to disagree. I firmly believe that using rank to enforce personal preference is wrong.
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SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA
SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA
>1 y
Indeed we must disagree, using rank to enforce a personal preference is not what is happening here; the NCO is interpreting the Regulations as the Leader of this troop, which does have something to do with a personal opinion on the ring.
The NCO is being trusted to interpret the regulation as the leader.
That is how the Military works, why even fight it.
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PFC Michael Dunfee
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When I was in it was simple, rings on during formations. off when I hit duty time. After seeing one guy almost lose his finger, I decided it wasn't worth my finger or my ring.
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PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott)
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SSG(P) (Join to see) I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but could one of the reasons you are having issues is because you push the envelope? I completely agree with COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM when he stated to take it to your senior NCOS. But I have to be honest with you, if you keep pushing the envelope, it could back to bite you. Sometimes no matter if it's in the regulations it's just better to roger up and take it off. Later you can go back to them and talk about it. If you are dead set on wearing it, understand that there are many ways to have it removed, first one would be a safety concern and if they throw that in your face 9.9 out of 10 you won't have a leg to stand on. Good luck!
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PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott)
PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott)
>1 y
SSG Nathan Stryker have you read any of the other posts the Specialist has posted? Did you look at the pictures of the ring he posted? You are right, blindly following orders can be bad, but he has also mentioned that he has been told by an SSG to remove the ring and then he throws the article in the face of the SSG. So knowing that information, what would say to him? How would you react if he was your soldier? Do you understand why I'm suggesting this could be a good time to "Roger Up"?
There was a reason why I stated to him that he should let the issue rest for a few days and then go back to the SSG with the article in hand and calmly talk to the SSG.
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PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott)
PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott)
>1 y
SSG Nathan Stryker you bring up very good points. What I would like to know is what is his MOS? Is that MOS dealing with electronics? As an ET if one of my guys tried to wear something like that I would have had them remove it. It would have been for safety reasons, but they would not have been allowed to run it while on board.
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SSG John Jensen
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a co-worker showed up for work after he got married and refused to take off his wedding band, oh this was in an automotive shop, the screaming went all the way to the top, and at some point it was discovered there was no regulation or policy banning the wearing of rings in the shop. Be careful of what you assume is a regulation, it might not exist. And Fred wrapped his wedding band in electrical tape every morning, just fine, thank you very much.
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PO3 Thomas Francis
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All the common sense has been laid at your feet. The only thing that looks to be done is educating your SSG on giving orders. for instance instead of just saying take the ring off; he could launch into a war story. Nice ring, sure is shiney. Back in the day knew a guy who wore one just like it. AS shiney as it was it became a great target, dude got is hand shot off. Then there was the other guy who was climbing over a high wall. His ring got caught on the way down, stripped the flesh from the bone. Had to field ambutate his finger to free him. Nice ring.

Hope you'll let us know what you decided to do.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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First let me say that rings are a hazard in some occupations. If you work in some specialties or in some areas, rings may be prohibited for your safety. If this is true the SSG is trying to save your finger and maybe your life.

If you work in an MOS or area were the ring is not a safety factor then it's time to consider if it's the ring that's the problem or a symptom of a bigger problem. Look at yourself first and then the SSG. Are you squared away in terms of job performance, training, and military appearance? Always? Okay, so if you're doing well in these areas, then it's the SSG's problem, not yours. You are faced with a barrier. You go around, over, or through. Without knowing more information I can't provide detailed advice. If the SSG isn't in your chain of command, then talk with your supervisor first. If the SSG is in your chain, then consider the unit first sergeant or CSM. They may have great insights as to how to handle the situation. If the encounters rise to the level of harassment, then you can try the complaint process after you have tried the chain of command. Good luck.

And, sometimes people are just A-holes you have to put up with. Take off the ring and hope the guy PCSs soon.
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SFC Vernon McNabb
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SSG(P) (Join to see), if you are wearing your ring while conducting any type of duty where the ring could pose a hazard, remove it for your safety. If you're wearing the ring in the office, formation or anywhere that doesn't pose a risk, by all means, you are correct to wear your ring. I have been in Army Aviation for 25 years (NG and AD), as a mechanic and crewchief on Blackhawks. Whenever I am performing maintenance or crewing, I remove my wedding band for safety. Get with a SNCO whom you both know, and refer to the regulation, and tactfully request a reason for why you are being yelled at for not being in violation of the regulation.
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