Is it acceptable to place your hands in your pocket while in Uniform? | AskTOP.net – Leader Development for Army Professionals

Is it acceptable to place your hands in your pocket while in Uniform?

I recently was told that the only time it is acceptable to have your hand in your pocket is when you are instructing. Can you shed some light on this for me?

I have never heard that military legend before. I don’t recall being allowed to place my hands in my pocket as an Instructor. I would have gotten hammered for being unprofessional.

Maybe he was just joking with a straight face. The correct answer can be found in AR 670-1 specifically:

EXTRACT OF AR 670-1, paragraph 1–9. Uniform appearance and fit

a(3)… while in uniform, personnel will not place their hands in their pockets, except momentarily to place or retrieve objects…

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posted on 09/23/2013 under Q&A

Mark is a Retired Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of military leadership experience. He held 3 military occupational specialties (Field Artillery, Nuclear Weapons Tech, and Ammunition Ordnance). Mark is one of the leading military authors in the fields of leadership, counseling, and training.

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Comments

SSG M

Monday, 25 November, 2013 at 1:38

TRADOC REG 350-1 allows instructors WHILE ON THE PODIUM to place one hand on the pocket. This is to ease tension in the room with the students and help them feel that we are approachable. However, it is only allowed while teaching, and not at any other time.

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Is it acceptable to place your hands in your pocket while in Uniform?

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