Importance of Uniformity

UNIFORMITY AND ITS INPORTANCE IN THE ARMY

Uniforms help identify or tell us someone’s job or an organization they belong to. When you see a uniform it tells you something about the person wearing it. When you think about it, you see uniforms everyday. For example, doctors, police, chefs, and us soldiers. Uniforms can tell you that a person is there to help you. It makes them look different from other people so you can identify/recognize them more easily. Think of doctors, nurses, police, firemen and soldiers. A uniform, as opposed to a costume, is clothing of a certain type, style, and make up that is required by the organization the person belongs to. An Army uniform is actually described in Army regulations and Federal law allows military uniforms to be only worn by persons serving in the military. Uniforms tell you not only that a person belongs to a certain group but also that person has skills other people don’t. A police officer is only allowed to wear this uniform if he/she has completed specific training. A nurse is only allowed to wear this uniform if they have completed nursing school. You wouldn’t ask a police officer to stitch a cut on your arm and you wouldn’t ask a nurse to arrest someone. People in the armed services are different from other people. The army uniform tells you that the person wearing it belongs to a specific country and organization:

The United States Army.

This means the person wearing it has taken an oath to the government of the United States to defend the nation, even if it means they might get hurt or even die. The Army has two types of uniforms, one for dress and one for work. The Army work uniform is like a fireman’s uniform – it helps protect the wearer. The uniform provides protection for the wearer. It is a type of camouflage (because of the pattern) to protect the wearer from being seen. It tells you s/he is a member of the US Army. It tells you the person’s name. It tells you the person’s rank. Twice, once on the flash on the beret and once on the jacket of the ACUs. (The higher the rank, the more people they can give orders to. )It tells you what part of the army he/she is in. This allows other people in the army to identify the wearer and be able to know where the person comes from and if they must take orders from this person. It allows the army to work smoothly. Uniforms are important in our society because it helps us identify the people who can help us if we get lost or hurt, protect us and keep us safe. Uniformity is a tool for the Army. It helps instill self discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions for each soldier, and it provides leaders with an indicator of who among their soldiers actually is making an effort and who is just trying to do the minimum necessary to stay out of trouble. How crisp a uniform is pressed, how well boots are shined (when we had to shine them, the new boots don't need it) placement of badges are all indicators of the effort someone puts in. Uniformity also helps ensure a comradery, and team environment. Everyone looks the same because they wear the same uniform. The only way for a soldier to separate themselves from the rest is either to exceed the standards, and encourage his teammates to do the same, or rock the boat, and hope he doesn't get thrown out. The Class A uniform is like a suit.

It consists of the Army green coat and trousers, worn with either short-sleeve or long-sleeve green shade 428 shirt and a black necktie. This uniform is used for special occasions like graduations, promotion boards, promotions, and any special event put on by the military. This uniform may also be worn to civilian functions such as weddings, religious services, and the like. The Class B uniform omits the coat. The tie can also be omitted if the short-sleeve shirt is worn. The Class B uniform is what soldiers wear when they are not working in a field environment. Soldiers in the National Guard who serve part-time do not generally wear these uniforms, but you will need to know some information about them. The ACU uses a new military camouflage pattern called the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), which blends green, tan, and gray to work effectively in desert, and urban environments. The ACU consists of a field jacket, trousers, headwear, a t-shirt, and footwear.

The Army is about executing the mission, whether it’s unloading supplies at a warehouse in Texas, or going on patrol in Iraq. The ability to execute tasks is something that must be practiced. A similar example can be found in the NFL. In NFL minicamps the players are practicing techniques, and plays every day in order to ensure they can execute when game time comes around. Uniforms were made to provide a method to identify the soldiers. The uniform helped to identify friend from foe and to identify the type of soldier and his rank within his unit. Uniforms were standardized and each soldier became an element of a larger entity. It may seem silly to make a big deal about a badge not being 1/2 an inch from the top edge of a pocket, but after a while determining that 1/2 inch gap becomes second nature, and handy when the soldier is told to crimp the blasting cap 1/2 and inch from the end. no need to waste time and put life at risk by looking for a ruler in your pack. Uniforms also gave the soldiers a pride and taught them military discipline and bearing. A soldier had to be disciplined to learn how to clean his uniform, as well as his weapon. The uniform not only impressed his fellow soldiers but the enemy who he met in battle.

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