Military personel in uniform walking and talking on the cell phone

[TheNoNamedOne]

Why aren't those of you who are in the military allowed to talk on your cell phones while walking in uniform? I often see this PSA on AFN TV reminding you guys to not engage in this kind of activity and am wondering why, and the reasoning behind it.

Is it because it looks unprofessional? If so, why does that look unprofessional? I see professional people looking professional all the time while talking on their cell phone.

Is it ok to just stand and talk on your cell phone? What part about moving turns it into something that is a no-no?

Perhaps it has something to do with like not being able to walk and chew bubble gum at the same time and hence a dangerous activity to engage in if one's mind is not solely focused on one or the other?

Or is it just another way to intrude on freedoms to make the military person's life that one extra ounce of pain in the ass to put up with?

Seriously, I am baffled by this cell phone walking talking in uniform rule of your culture. Enlighten us to the reasoning behind it.

Do you agree with it and think it was a smart thing for the brass to sit around their command desks to think of and come up with, or do you think it is stupid and the brass should have been spending their time on more important things with their time?

[DougP]

I was never aware of this rule. I was Army for nearly ten years and never even heard of this. Hmmm guess I never got the memo :)

What brought this up? I mean did you just hear of this rule today? I'm all ears and standing at attention awaiting further information :D

[TheNoNamedOne]

It's been running on AFN tv several times a day for the last several months. I think it is an Air Force order, or base order here, so am not sure if it pertains to all military everywhere -- but I wouldn't be surprised if all branches do have that. Perhaps the AF is the only one that has decided to make a PSA about it.

Maybe some others have been seeing this commercial, too, and will chime in about the order.

[DougP]

Ah thank god for skypa :) I know you're not supposed to be on the phone and drive at the same time but I still see it happening. What I've always wondered is why do Marines have to wear head gear when they are in a POV? Better yet what's the deal with wearing body armor and kevlar while driving a tactical vehicle. Kevlar is not a safety or racing helmet. It was never designed to be one. Body armor will not save you from an accident. It can however aid in the difficulty of removing your body from a mangled wreck. Now out there in hostile territory is something I can understand.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Ah thank god for skypa :) I know you're not supposed to be on the phone and drive at the same time but I still see it happening.

Yeah, but that's an understandable safety issue. Is there a safety issue involved with military personel walking in uniform and talking on their cell phones? If so, does the danger disappear once they change into civilian clothes and walk and talk on their cell phones?

[TheNoNamedOne]

Yep, As of Aug 6th, Marines can't walk and talk on their cell phone in uniform either. Look:

But walking and talking on your phone is forbidden, according to the new regs (http://www.marforres.usmc.mil/News/2007.08/grooming.html), even if you’re using an earpiece. “If it’s that important, Marines will have to stop and talk while standing still,” Boyt said.

<chuckle>

Why is standing still (don't move a muscle, you!) and talking on a cell phone in Uniform ok -- but not walking?

I don't think it is one of those things that those in the military can only understand, is it? I mean, we aren't talking rocket science here, are we? Or is this regulation's reasoning too hard to grasp for the lower personel and others, so out of courtesy to them, they don't explain the reasoning?

Still wondering.

[dk]

Because stupid people make the rules. :p

This makes no sense to me. This is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. It seems to me that the higher-ups are just putting the military through extra crap just to put them through extra crap.

Why? Does that toughen you up? If it were me, it'd just make me not want to re-enlist that much more and give a huge t(-_-t) to the higher ups the day I got out.

[Boost]

It is something along the lines of being "unprofessional" looking, but the rational behind that is beyond us mortal beings I guess.

But I agree that it is just one more thing to be a pain in the ass of the ordinary military person.

[TheNoNamedOne]

With the military having a real hard time meeting their man power requirements, it would be great if some smart ass Lcpl made a web site called The Coalition of the Unwilling to Re-enlist Unless That Stupid Cell Phone Order is Revoked, and then get thousands of military personel supporting that -- sending anonymous letters to the Commandant with that web page URL.

It would really piss them off to have their regs pheked with like that -- kind a like their manpower <snicker snicker> being held hostage.

[newvalor]

I could see a rule being in effect for not talking on a cell phone while walking. It would be in the same rule scenario why you don't wear headphones will running on the side of a street. As for standing and talking on the cellphone, I don't have a problem with that. they're aren't the ones that change direction while moving in that blind spot of your car when backing up.

I still will never understand why people talk/text while driving, those are the same people that say it distracts them from driving but they still do it. If the call is that important they will call back.....

[TheNoNamedOne]

It is something along the lines of being "unprofessional" looking, but the rational behind that is beyond us mortal beings I guess.

Aha! So, it has to do with locomotion.

Perhaps we are on the road to solving this mind teaser from the brass.

But why would they view the component of movement of the equation as the deciding factor that makes it "unprofessional" looking?

[Boost]

But why would they view the component of movement of the equation as the deciding factor that makes it "unprofessional" looking?

I think most anything else you could do while walking in uniform is pretty much prohibited as well minus talking with someone who is walking with you. Smoking is another item also prohibited while walking in uniform. Don't know about chewing gum, but it wouldn't surprise me any.

I guess the military views walking as only good for getting where you are going and not to be used in conjunction with calling someone or a smoke break.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I could see a rule being in effect for not talking on a cell phone while walking. It would be in the same rule scenario why you don't wear headphones will running on the side of a street.

You mean you could get hit by a car if you're walking in the commisary while talking on your cell phone?

I don't see how you can compare walking and talking on your cell phone while in uniform to the same scenario, or anything like it, to driving or jogging while wearing headphones.

If walking in uniform and talking on your cell phone is dangerous, then why is it not regulated against while in civilian atire? Since it isn't, then the danger reasoning just does not hold water, because even in civilian atire, out of concern for safety, military persons are supposed to wear a road guard vest when jogging -- off or on base.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I guess the military views walking as only good for getting where you are going and not to be used in conjunction with calling someone or a smoke break.

If that were the case, then rather than making a list of regulations that tell one what they are not to engage in while doing an activity (in this case walking), they should then just make a simple rule saying what only is permitted. Anything else by default is not permitted. A lot less ambiguity that way and more clear. I mean if a list of prohibitions is more clear, then I am left to wonder if it is ok to pick our noses while walking or fly a kite while walking, or carry a helium balloon while walking in uniform. No prohibitions on all those.

Doesn't the military want to be as clear as possible when providing direction to their soldiers?

Here is what I would suggest using common sense:

Walking is only for the use of moving yourself from point A to point B. No other willful actions may take place during that time. This order will help prevent you from wondering if it is ok to take a piss while you are walking. If you want to take a piss while you are enroute from point A to point B, stop to do it. The same goes for anything else, such as talking on the cell phone, smoking, or chewing gum.

All after blue is not necessary. The blue can stand on its own and covers everything without detail needed. Perhaps the extra guidance after the blue should just be added to Marine Corpes manuals only.

[newvalor]

You mean you could get hit by a car if you're walking in the commisary while talking on your cell phone?

I don't see how you can compare walking and talking on your cell phone while in uniform to the same scenario, or anything like it, to driving or jogging while wearing headphones.

If walking in uniform and talking on your cell phone is dangerous, then why is it not regulated against while in civilian atire? Since it isn't, then the danger reasoning just does not hold water, because even in civilian atire, out of concern for safety, military persons are supposed to wear a road guard vest when jogging -- off or on base.



I don't see how you could get that from my post, but whatever floats your boat.

Anyways the point I was saying is that when wearing headphones while running on the side of a road you cannot hear traffic most times, so you could become a victim if by some chance a car went out of control and swerved hitting you.

The same goes for walking and talking on a cell phone, your open game in the same way. whether your in the parking lot, the commissary, etc. you're not paying attention to things around you. You are more focused on "hey hold a sec" or "I can't hear you, just a sec" and playing around with the phone.

For being in uniform and walking and talking on the telephone, it kinda falls into the same reasoning. But also they want to walk tall and look sharp when in uniform no matter what most times, because we are embassadors or something like that.

But I agree with a past post, it's a bunch of higher ranks making up rules just to do it. I once met a commander who made it illegal to say "No Hope Pope" anywhere on base by anybody on base.

[atb35]

It looks unprofessional. It doesnt need to make sense or please anyone. Military members are held to a higher standard then civilians, that is why we dont do it. It is the same reason we dont have facial hair, have long or fadish hair, wear body jewelry (visible), or any other number of grooming standards. I am glad they have that rule, when you are wearing a uniform you should wear it with pride.

Or maybe the military should just be more lax and 'make sense' like the civilians......let us grow mullets, wear dreads, afros, mohawks; let people wear the uniforms the way they want....wouldnt it be cool to see a Marine in his dress uniform (most professional uniform in all military IMO) with his pants hanging down around his knees and his drawers showing? maybe some holes in his uniform also? How about coming to the Naval hospital and be greeted by a nurse with 10 earrings in one ear, big spikes or whatever the hell they are called in her mouth, nose and eyes? hair four different colors and dressed like a skank......

Is that what you want for the military or should we be held to a higher standard?

Yes, this is going completely to the left, I understand, but it is to make a point. We are held to an even higher standard then business professionals, one fact of the military Ive always loved.

[P_chan]

Because stupid people make the rules. :p

This makes no sense to me. This is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. It seems to me that the higher-ups are just putting the military through extra crap just to put them through extra crap.

Why? Does that toughen you up? If it were me, it'd just make me not want to re-enlist that much more and give a huge t(-_-t) to the higher ups the day I got out.

I think dk pretty much hit it right on the head.

I agree that you shouldn't look unprofessional while in uniform, or in any work uniform for that matter. However, talking on a cell phone while walking doesn't look unprofessional IMO.

Only thing I could see is some idiot on his/her phone, not paying attention, and walking into traffic.

[Boost]

Something I didn't think of before is that perhaps the reason is because it could interfere with your ability to render proper customs and courtesies should you cross paths with an officer.

[P_chan]

Something I didn't think of before is that perhaps the reason is because it could interfere with your ability to render proper customs and courtesies should you cross paths with an officer.

Oh and god forbit you forget to salute and officer who is walking past you but on the other end of the parking lot:rolleyes:

[TheNoNamedOne]

...when wearing headphones while running on the side of a road you cannot hear traffic most times, so you could become a victim if by some chance a car went out of control and swerved hitting you.

The same goes for walking and talking on a cell phone, your open game in the same way.

Headphones cover both ears, so I can see a point of that taking the sense of hearing away from you and thus affecting your alertness considerably, but a cell phone no where near diminishes your hearing ability as that.

...whether your in the parking lot, the commissary, etc. you're not paying attention to things around you. You are more focused on "hey hold a sec" or "I can't hear you, just a sec" and playing around with the phone.

It is a considerable risk for driving and accident reports do bear that out. But, I have not seen any report of considerable risks to those engaged in walking while on the cell phone.

So, if it is a safety issue, then why doesn't the military make the same rule for civilian attire?

For being in uniform and walking and talking on the telephone, it kinda falls into the same reasoning. But also they want to walk tall and look sharp when in uniform no matter what most times, because we are embassadors or something like that.

If that is the point, then there should be no need for the regulation.

But that begs the question, why can't you still walk tall and look sharp while in uniform talking on the cell phone? A cell phone sharply held to your ear with one arm doesn't mean you are gonna start into the pimp shoulder dip bee bopping back on the block strut, does it?

But I agree with a past post, it's a bunch of higher ranks making up rules just to do it. I once met a commander who made it illegal to say "No Hope Pope" anywhere on base by anybody on base.

What would have happened had someone did and they requested mass over it above the base commander, or requested a court martial over it rather than accept an article 15 NJP? It would make the base commander look pretty stupid. All it would take would be some smart ass Lcpl with balls to do that. And what would be the result if a spouse said that phrase?

[ryukyuboi]

I think you are probably correct concerning the rule with cell phones, newvalor. Distractability (sound) with movement could be unsafe.

[TheNoNamedOne]

But while walking? Has there been a problem with injuries in the military with people talking on the telephone while walking in uniform? I just don't see those stories in the papers or on-line.

Again, then why not make that a reg for all military people even when they are in civilian clothes? The military has the power to regulate their members 24/7 whereever they are? If it is a safety issue, then why not do so?

The fact that they don't clearly shows that this walking and talking on a cell in uniform is not a safety concern.

[ryukyuboi]

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=843

http://www.wnbc.com/news/10948106/detail.html

Here are a couple of articles on the subject of cell phones and walking.

[DougP]

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=843

http://www.wnbc.com/news/10948106/detail.html

Here are a couple of articles on the subject of cell phones and walking.

All I can say is
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/DougGTR32/motivator3206697.jpg

[P_chan]

Yes she's an idiot....but nothing beats this

YouTube - Miss Teen USA South Carolina 2007 with Subtitles

[DougP]

I love how that video keeps popping up:)

Truely an idiot.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Ok, back on topic to military talking on telephones in uniform while walking.

No one has yet brought up a reasonable or acceptable answer -- other than just a crap rule that screws with people.

[P_chan]

Ok, back on topic to military talking on telephones in uniform while walking.

No one has yet brought up a reasonable or acceptable answer -- other than just a crap rule that screws with people.

I don't think anyone really said they had a huge problem with the rule, except for you. So of course no one is going to bring up an arguement to support it.

I believe atb was the only one who said something in support of it. Which I agree with him, you should look professional while in your work uniform, military or civilian.

However, I still don't think that walking and talking on cell phones is a bad thing, nor does it look unprofessional.

[dk]

My answer is reasonable. Idiots make the rules.

Happens all the time!

[DougP]

I can say this. If I was back in the military I would still think this rule is pretty pointless. Not sure if the Army had the same policy but I can think of several times where talking on the phone and moving were necessary.

For example lets say you're on your way to the motorpool to pick up a dispatch or something and someone in your shop calls you with an important question. You can't waste time by stopping and talking nor can you leave your fellow man hanging in the breeze either. So what do you do? You multitask. Talk him through the problem while walking over to get the dispatch.

Nothing looks more professional than someone doing their job or someone who is able to do two things at once.:)

[TheNoNamedOne]

Nothing looks more professional than someone doing their job or someone who is able to do two things at once.:)

Damn straight!

Talking on the cell phone and walking while in uniform is efficient usage of time recourse as multi-tasking training. The military just doesn't want you to get to the level of the best that you can be.

[Brett23iu]

Just Another rule to follow

[TheNoNamedOne]

I think rules should be revised or discontinued if they do not lead to maximum productivity, or get in the way of it. Doesn't the military want to be as productive as they can be so that our tax dollars are efficiently used?

[socalheart]

Well, you know hard it is to walk and chew gum at the same time when you've been brainwashed. ;) :chuckle: Especially for men... and blondes... and blond men. :D Yes, ya'll have about said everything there is to say on this that I'd say.

[Bones]

I remember going through the NCO Academy, at Kadena. They stressed that, as a Senior NCO, you need to be able to multi-task. One example, reading e-mail at a stoplight.

Keep in mind, some idiot decided to place the Class VI store, adjacent to the gas pumps. This, in hopes of cutting down on DUI's.

One of the things that has always puzzled me is, everyone screaming about a shortage of personnel, when I need to get something done on-base. Plenty of people walking around in uniform at the BX, when they should be working.

And I apologize, for walking into your office this morning, while you were attempting to catch up with your friends on "My-Space". There's simply no excuse for my behavior. The nerve of me trying to update my "Tri-Care" information, asking you for advice, and you didn't have a clue.

My bad, for being out of theater. But my ESP, isn't what it used to be.

NBTP

[DoctorP]

I saw one of the newer PSA's on AFN tonight. It was "Tips from the 1st Sgt" and showed an AF 1st Sgt "catching" three airmen coming out of the "dorm" with earings in as he corrected them for doing so.

Come on guys...are any of you really so stupid as to wear them while on base? Can't you put your jewlry and make up on after walking out the gate?

[P_chan]

I remember going through the NCO Academy, at Kadena. They stressed that, as a Senior NCO, you need to be able to multi-task. One example, reading e-mail at a stoplight.

Keep in mind, some idiot decided to place the Class VI store, adjacent to the gas pumps. This, in hopes of cutting down on DUI's.

One of the things that has always puzzled me is, everyone screaming about a shortage of personnel, when I need to get something done on-base. Plenty of people walking around in uniform at the BX, when they should be working.

And I apologize, for walking into your office this morning, while you were attempting to catch up with your friends on "My-Space". There's simply no excuse for my behavior. The nerve of me trying to update my "Tri-Care" information, asking you for advice, and you didn't have a clue.

My bad, for being out of theater. But my ESP, isn't what it used to be.

NBTP

You can't check your myspace on a government computer, it's blocked:D

I agree with you on this one. Some people just don't do any work. We've got one of those in our shop who just sits at the computer all day. She's lower ranking then me so once I ask/tell her to do something she always has an excuse. Hell once I was her rank if I did that, I would just get laughed at and told to do it anyways.

[ststephen65]

its rules like these is one of the many reasons ill be a civilian come feb.

[Honduh]

its just one of those things that you gotta follow. The reasoning...who the hell knows? Its sorta like the hair cut every week 'rule' ...you just gotta do it.


However, it's never been a problem for me while out walking in uniform and my phone rings....stop, talk, hang up my phone and go about my business...

whats the big deal?

Think of it this way, when cordless cell phones first came out, you couldn't use them at all, while in uniform. At least that was the memo I had recieved...