Where Did Standards Go?

[Peter.Steele]

So tonight I was going to pick up pizza after work. Pizza place is right next door to a recruiting station.

There's a Petty Officer Second Class standing out front, in uniform. He is not wearing a cover. I "inquire" as to the location of his cover. He thumbs back over his shoulder, says "Inside," then before I could say anything else turns away and makes a call on his cell phone, which is of course being held in his right hand.

Depressing that this is the image that our Navy is holding up for interested members of the public.

[45DAVID1]

Its the generation of mommy and daddy gave me everything so now I expect everything to be given to me. Its not just in the mlitary, its everywhere.

[Bowhunter_619]

Funny you mention this, as I asked myself the same question today. I was at a restaurant in civies today on 28th street when a group of about 5 Sailors were walking up as I was waiting on my food; I noticed one was smoking as he left the vehicle and was walking in uniform toward restaurant with cigarette in hand. I met him halfway and told him to put cigarette out while walking and act like he got some damn sense (hat crooked, walking with fake limp/pimp mode lol)...I figured we were done after a slight *ss chewing. Well as I was eating when his puffed up chest so called LPO came to speak with me as I was eating and wanted to let me know who he was and asked me to identify myself; so I did like any other Senior Chief would

[Fatstackz]

What was the importance of the "cell phone call in the right hand"? I would assume you are a commissioned officer and in uniform?

[45DAVID1]

What was the importance of the "cell phone call in the right hand"? I would assume you are a commissioned officer and in uniform?

What i learned was no talkng on a cell while walkng. You must be stationary and keep your right hand free for profssional customs and courtesies.

[Fatstackz]

What i learned was no talkng on a cell while walkng. You must be stationary and keep your right hand free for profssional customs and courtesies.

That would make sense. We didn't have that problem when I served.Cell phones were not even around then except for just a select few of the well to do's. It also sounded like he was just loitering around the door on his cell phone. I was thinking he was pulling the classic move of avoiding a salute. Me, I loved to salute officers just to make them return the acknowledgement while the other guys were busy acting like they were invisible.

[Bowhunter_619]

That is what we all learned up to about 2-3 years ago...however I always see it as a safety issue when walking on base; so I suggest they get off the phone..

What i learned was no talkng on a cell while walkng. You must be stationary and keep your right hand free for profssional customs and courtesies.

[roll2li]

That is what we all learned up to about 2-3 years ago...however I always see it as a safety issue when walking on base; so I suggest they get off the phone..

Senior while that may have been the standard even several years ago (I remember when Norfolk was a no cell phone base even in civies), Navy leadership has seen it fit to allow sailors to walk and talk:

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=58220

Probably b/c the adjustment at Great Lakes was too much for them.

Honestly I don't give a hoot anymore unless they're wearing greens. I remember explaining that to a 30 yr CW03 Bosun after a sailor in the blueberries failed to salute me. I told him just to stick around and watch and then a 2nd class walks by makes eye contact and neglects to render even the proper greeting of the day.

[Bowhunter_619]

Ahh! Great Lakes, the root of all Navy Evil!!! I was their on a trip last year with Senior Enlisted Academy and let me tell you my friend; those recruits coming thru now don't have to leave the building and never even seen a grinder

[Bowhunter_619]

Waiters/food workers walking thru chow hall offering them items while eating...times have changed and I'm a young senior, I joined in Dec 1997

[Flipper]

Yeah, I've noticed the difference in the Army as well. I'd say things started to change about five years ago. Nowadays you don't even hear the greeting of the day given, you have jackasses walking around on their cell phones. It is sad what has become of our military and it all derives from how ****ed our society has become. I was surprised to learn that drill sergeants are not even allowed to swear anymore. We are so caught up in making sure that everyone's feelings don't get hurt that we have lost sight of our focus on discipline and standards. Some of the NCO's in my platoon had a talk on this and our new PSG said to start lighting people up regardless of their rank or unit and that if there is any flak he'll take it because he is just as pissed about the breakdown that has taken place. Not gonna lie, I've had a fun last few weeks

[Snoopy47]

I was surprised to learn that drill sergeants are not even allowed to swear anymore.

[todd2968]

Cell phone are now allowed while walking unless you are a Seabee we make our orders more stringent

[OldShooter32]

It all started when they said a DI couldn't smack a recruity -- Army, this must have been about 1967 because when I went in in 1968 the DI s had a horrible flinch which began as a right cross and ended as a pulled punch, with much frustration and obvious control issues in between.
Creative "PT" took over from there.

[phaseshift]

Funny you mention this, as I asked myself the same question today. I was at a restaurant in civies today on 28th street when a group of about 5 Sailors were walking up as I was waiting on my food; I noticed one was smoking as he left the vehicle and was walking in uniform toward restaurant with cigarette in hand. I met him halfway and told him to put cigarette out while walking and act like he got some damn sense (hat crooked, walking with fake limp/pimp mode lol)...I figured we were done after a slight *ss chewing. Well as I was eating when his puffed up chest so called LPO came to speak with me as I was eating and wanted to let me know who he was and asked me to identify myself; so I did like any other Senior Chief would

YEAAAAAAAH BUDDY! That's how its done. God I used to love running up to PFCs and Lance Coolies and giving them a grade a *** chewing. Granted I was only a Corporal but we all know who the backbone of the Marine Corps is!

Those where the days.