Pacifists can serve, usually as a CO. They will be put in non combat positions. many Mennonites serve this way.
I do understand self indulgence. I do understand basic hygiene. I do understand being that special little ray of sunshine your mother told you could be. I do understand folks in my generation growing that beard for that second and third chin. I do understand agencies with no spine in dealing with arrogance and political correctness in their ranks. I do understand wasted time and efforts dealing with the public and political reps because of those little rays of sunshine.Most folks are too polite to tell you when you look squirrelly regardless of the uniform or dress. The perceptions of people from appearance is critical in certain situations. Competence must be built up in people caught in ES and Disaster situations. We don't need to look like we can't dress our selves properly. Dressing properly doesn't apply to just uniforms, it also applies to those wearing suits and ties. When I'm at the courthouse, folks expect to see me in a proper suit, white shirt and tie. It is simply a show of respect. And when I have to deal with a judge with a beard and pony tail, I start drawing conclusions about his politics, judicial ability, allegiances to the law, and arrogance towards people. Usually, my experience shows I'm right. When I'm at CAP, I wear the appropriate uniform for the activity. It is simply a show of respect.73s
I see the pony tails on uniform NOAA, USPHS, CAP and other agencies in uniform.
And when I have to deal with a judge with a beard and pony tail, I start drawing conclusions about his politics, judicial ability, allegiances to the law, and arrogance towards people.
Unfornatually, I get to see and deal with'em all the time with eoc ops.
USAFaux2004, three words, perception, perception, perception... That is all..
Fail to do the mission....or fail to look like we can do the mission?That is the question.
Before you have the opportunity to fail a mission, you actually have to get a mission. This is an increasing problem for our organization. This is also where perception becomes increasingly important. And like it or not, we only get one chance to make a first impression. In our case, we need all the help we can get.I find it odd that there in the counterargument to grooming standards is almost this underlying suggestion that those adhering to grooming standards are necessarily incompetent. Afterall, the consistent, fallacious counterargument implies that we fail the mission if we don't have these people with beards or long hair along to participate. While I agree that getting the mission done is the primary goal, this counterargument is just nonsensical.Just sayin'...
Remember that all agencies are out there competing for the tax dollar. The USCG and USAF rescue duties may eventually be farmed out to for profit corporations. This trend is already occurring with some of our NATO allies. If you are rescued in certain parts of the world, your employer or you are gonna' have to come up with big bucks.
Please answer three questions:1. Which federal agency is encouraging for profit corporations to become involved in SAR?2. What corporations have submitted proposals?3. Which outfits have been involved in which state ops - should be easy since you have seen them.
Hey, gang, how did we get from talking our barbate buddies to the quoted post?