Why have we abandoned a lot of our Military Traditions?

TSgt Mark Vaughn — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:15:06 -0400

I was looking through an old WWII book that had a lot of Old pictures of the time during WWII and shortly after when we still had Nose Art, Pin Ups, Active duty wore their uniforms off base to nice dinners etc. What has happened to a lot of Military Traditions that made the military a civilization unto itself?

Response by TSgt Trevor Vander made Aug 7 at 2014 4:26 PM

TSgt Trevor Vander — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:26:55 -0400

You posted under Air Force, and I can specifically address this as there were considerable changes after 9/11 and particularly to 36-2903 the wear of the uniform is looked at a bit differently. When you are in ABU's you are to go in, get what you need and get out. If you are in blues- which are uncomfortable, you are to socialize as you want, but be very aware of your surroundings as you stick out. With all the briefings and attention brought to military members now, you are much safer to blend in. OPSEC>Tradition in today's world.

Response by TSgt Stephen Hudak made Aug 7 at 2014 5:12 PM

TSgt Stephen Hudak — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:12:37 -0400

Excellent question!! I believe that as things like NCO and officer clubs began to close as well as many other things we were no longer a community onto ourselves we as young Airmen loved to get together on base sad to see that disappear

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 27 at 2014 9:18 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 21:18:20 -0400

Good question, Top. A lot seems to have been lost in the generation gap, not sure because of time to do things or just lack of trying. Our unit used to do annual dining ins and that went by the wayside, years ago. I've taken some traditions like the punchbowl and toasts and adapted them for my Boy Scouts

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 10:04 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 10:04:03 -0400

Top -- The teaching of traditions are suppose to start in Basic Training. I approached one of my newer PVTs and asked them a simple question: When is the Army's birthday? She didn't know. She didn't realize the Army had a birthday. When I was on the trail I drilled all of this info on traditions, customs and courtesies, Army history etc into my PVTs. I made them read their smart book everyday. Nowadays these youngsters are coming into the unit with no sense of pride, all because they don't have an account of where they came from (Army historywise) and why we do what we do. It' s almost feels like I'm back on the trail and teaching these PVTs basic stuff all over again.

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Mar 16 at 2019 3:19 AM

CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 03:19:46 -0400

Lost in Time and Change!!! Doc Bradshaw

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 16 at 2019 11:15 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 11:15:52 -0400

When social engineering took precedence over winning wars.