Representing the Armed Forces: how do you rate?

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jerry G. Helms
  • 60th Component Maintenance Squadron commander
Serving in the Armed Forces implies more responsibility than just fulfilling our day-to-day duties.

Members of the Armed Forces have an additional duty of serving as ambassadors of their respective service.

The citizens of the United States recognize us as members of the Armed Forces and many of them are knowledgeable of the higher standards we are committed to live. Public recognition of the Armed Forces generally increases during times of conflict.

With the exception of Vietnam, the general public's support for the Armed Forces soared during World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and Operation Desert Storm.

With the on-going operations of Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism, we currently serve in an era where the general public possesses an increased awareness and support for members of the Armed Forces.

The general public's awareness of Armed Forces' members is more evident than you may think and has been highlighted to me on several occasions.

While visiting a local mall far from a military installation, someone I had never met stopped me. Expecting to be asked for the time, the stranger surprised me by asking, "Are you in the military?" I responded with a "Yes, sir". The stranger shook my hand and said, "Thanks for what you do for our country," and proceeded on his way. I had a similar encounter at a rest stop while traveling with my family.

What made these strangers think I was in the military, I was not in uniform? Was it my appearance or the way I walked? Although I don't know the answers to these questions, it made me aware the general public recognizes military members, in and out of uniform.

A possible answer to how the general public is able to recognize members of the Armed Forces could be due to the number of veterans and those associated with the Armed Forces, especially around military installations.

Members of the Armed Forces may not recognize these individuals, but be assured they know our appearance standards and our requirement to live to higher principles.

Appearance standards are one of the most recognizable representations of the Armed Forces and include proper wear of the uniform. Failure to properly wear the uniform reflects negatively on the general public's impression of our service.

A common uniform infraction is failure to wear headgear.
Instructions require headgear be worn when outdoors, unless the wear creates a safety hazard. There is no delineation between wearing headgear on-base versus off-base. Therefore, headgear is required for both situations. This applies whether you are at your residence or running into the local convenience store for your morning cup of coffee.

Members of the Armed Forces and the general public are watching and know our appearance standards.

Besides the requirement to meet appearance standards, members of the Armed Forces also subscribe to higher principles.

These principles often surpass the standards of the general public. There are many examples where military members are held accountable for their actions, but these same actions occur in the general public with no repercussions.

These higher principles set military members apart from the general public. Our ability to meet or not meet these higher principles reflects upon every member of the Armed Forces.

Military members have an associated duty of serving as ambassadors of their respective service. During the current era of conflict, we enjoy increased support and awareness of military members by the general public, which occurs both in and out of uniform.
Individuals in the general public are aware of the appearance standards and higher principles required of military members.

They watch military members, forming opinions of the Armed Forces based on our ability to meet these standards and principles.

As a representative of the Armed Forces, how do you rate?