Wearing Uniform in Public (merged)
- Thread starter Da_man
- Start date
BDTyre
Sr. Member
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 230
The uniform does not frighten anyone. There was an incident in Vancouver recently when a middle aged lady started verbally harrassing a group of cadets (some as young as twelve), accusing them of being murderers.
In the states, service members are commonly swarmed and beaten up. It seems that people see a uniform almost as a challenge.
In the states, service members are commonly swarmed and beaten up. It seems that people see a uniform almost as a challenge.
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 410
Art if you think, trying to keep a straight face as an escort is hard, try it as a CSM. I swear I almost dropped my pace stick once and it was a serious effort to a) stop from laughing as I listened to the poor sod‘s story or b) wanting to break said pace stick over his head for such an idiotic poorly prepared excuse.
Anyway back to the topic at hand. I wish I had plug nickel for every public transit story in uniform I‘ve heard or endured.
BC in the late 1970‘s was bad IIRC, and as a young troopie being called a baby burner by the granola brigade on a weekly basis can get to you.
A lot of curious looks in Toronto in the late 1980s early 1990‘s later and some verbal abuse especially when Oka was going down. Fortunately I was usually going to FYA directly from work, so I had my uniform in a duffle. The return trips though I usually coudn‘t be bothered to change into civies and it‘s late at night when the weird and opinionated ride the TTC.
Funny the only place no seemed to notice or perhaps care was in Nfld.
Wes I remember a Brit TA on exchange telling me the no uniform to and from parade rule existed there to due to possible threats (IRA?).
Anyway back to the topic at hand. I wish I had plug nickel for every public transit story in uniform I‘ve heard or endured.
BC in the late 1970‘s was bad IIRC, and as a young troopie being called a baby burner by the granola brigade on a weekly basis can get to you.
A lot of curious looks in Toronto in the late 1980s early 1990‘s later and some verbal abuse especially when Oka was going down. Fortunately I was usually going to FYA directly from work, so I had my uniform in a duffle. The return trips though I usually coudn‘t be bothered to change into civies and it‘s late at night when the weird and opinionated ride the TTC.
Funny the only place no seemed to notice or perhaps care was in Nfld.
Wes I remember a Brit TA on exchange telling me the no uniform to and from parade rule existed there to due to possible threats (IRA?).
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 160
Da_man,
I‘ve always worn my uniform on buses and in the subway in Montreal. Except for a couple of odd looks, some strange questions and the usual idiots who saluted me, I never had any problems.
I‘ve always worn my uniform on buses and in the subway in Montreal. Except for a couple of odd looks, some strange questions and the usual idiots who saluted me, I never had any problems.
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 410
Ok so it wasn‘t a CANFORGEN I had seen it was the Dress regs. The CF Dress Instructions (A-AD-265-000/AG-001), state among other things:
"Public Transportation. Personel travelling
aboard a local public conveyance may remove their
headdress. Personnel travelling extended distances
by aircraft, bus or rail, may remove their headdress while in transit, however, headdress shall be replaced prior to exiting the public conveyance, vehicle or aircraft."
12. Military and Privately Owned Motor
Vehicles (PMV)
a. Members wearing the uniform shall wear
appropriate headdress while operating or
travelling as a passenger in all military
vehicle except:
(1) if the roof of the vehicle is too low to
permit headdress to be worn with
comfort and safety;
(2) on extended trips;
(3) on order of the senior members
present; and
(4) in a staff car, PMV or bus.
NOTE
All vehicles that are rented by DND
are considered to be a military
vehicle.
b. When headdress has been removed in
accordance with the provisions of the
preceding sub-paragraph, it shall be
replaced:
(1) when approaching and leaving a
military establishment; and
(2) immediately upon exiting a military
vehicle or PMV.
"Public Transportation. Personel travelling
aboard a local public conveyance may remove their
headdress. Personnel travelling extended distances
by aircraft, bus or rail, may remove their headdress while in transit, however, headdress shall be replaced prior to exiting the public conveyance, vehicle or aircraft."
12. Military and Privately Owned Motor
Vehicles (PMV)
a. Members wearing the uniform shall wear
appropriate headdress while operating or
travelling as a passenger in all military
vehicle except:
(1) if the roof of the vehicle is too low to
permit headdress to be worn with
comfort and safety;
(2) on extended trips;
(3) on order of the senior members
present; and
(4) in a staff car, PMV or bus.
NOTE
All vehicles that are rented by DND
are considered to be a military
vehicle.
b. When headdress has been removed in
accordance with the provisions of the
preceding sub-paragraph, it shall be
replaced:
(1) when approaching and leaving a
military establishment; and
(2) immediately upon exiting a military
vehicle or PMV.
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 410
Reading stuff can be interesting. There is actually a badge for wear on the uniform for the Special Operations Assualter Course. Who knew
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 410
Once well getting petrol I pulled into a Rockdale service stn, which is in a totally ethnic area. The GW2 had just started, and at 182cm, and 100kg, shaven head and in uniform, didnt I cop it from the attendant who claimed "victory of the desert dwellers", and Saddam would win, etc. I had some of the most dirty looks ever from a bout 12 of them who were in the bldg, so I just smiled, was polite as I could be, paid for my petrol and left.
Pretty sad to be victimised in your own country!
So uniformed personnel in a new world of hatred, beware.
Cheers,
Wes
Pretty sad to be victimised in your own country!
So uniformed personnel in a new world of hatred, beware.
Cheers,
Wes
L
Lajeunesse
Guest
Thats rediculous
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
It is totally unacceptable that military pers should have to put up with such verbal abuse by the citizenry, however, thank god we live in a free country where if you wish to express your opinion, however misguided and irrational, you may do so without fear of repression or abuse of power.
That said, never, EVER will I hesitate to wear my uniform with pride while breath exists in my lungs, and whilst Canada remains my home and native land, under my God and my Queen.
I cannot forsee the special security situation that exists in Britain ever happening here, and in any event, I readily accept the potential personal risks (although my tune MIGHT change when the day comes that I have a fmaily to think about). In Britain it is totally understandable that service pers would be encouraged not to wear uniform in public because of the constant threat of domestic terrorism. I made the faux pas of writing a letter to my uncle, a retired Lt-Cdr (RN), and addressing him by his proper rank and post nominals. I later learned that this practice is not encouraged in Britain because of the obvious IRA threat.
However, Canada is an entirely different matter, and I am shocked to hear that Australia suffers from such offensive attitudes towards service personnel.
By god, what exactly are we in the army for if we cannot walk the streets safely of the country we are sworn to defend?
On a related note, I have noticed a lot more US service pers travelling through Pearson airport in uniform than before GW2. After 9/11, I believe there were restrictions on US mil pers travelling in uniform, but after the war it was a matter of service pride and showing the flag. Whereas before I‘d only see guys in civvie showing me their mil ID at the customs line, after GW2, I saw plenty of desert "camo fatigues" and good on ‘em.
I‘ve had the lil‘ kids stare and wave at me in uniform, and I found the most appropriate response was to smile and give a brief wave or nod back. We can‘t make ourselves out to be ogres or disinterested... these might be tomorrow‘s soldiers.
Finally, although I usually go down to the armoury in my PMV, I have on occasion been on transit in uniform, and had to do routine personal business whilein transit (banking, stopping to get things at the store, etc) and wearing the uniform, and I‘ve never had a problem or even heard a distasteful comment. In fact, a former member of my unit recognized my red tourie and identified himself as an ex-CSM of the 48th. We had a pleasant conversation and he wished me luck in my future endeavours (I was on my way to CAC ‘03).
I make no apologies for my choice to serve.
That said, never, EVER will I hesitate to wear my uniform with pride while breath exists in my lungs, and whilst Canada remains my home and native land, under my God and my Queen.
I cannot forsee the special security situation that exists in Britain ever happening here, and in any event, I readily accept the potential personal risks (although my tune MIGHT change when the day comes that I have a fmaily to think about). In Britain it is totally understandable that service pers would be encouraged not to wear uniform in public because of the constant threat of domestic terrorism. I made the faux pas of writing a letter to my uncle, a retired Lt-Cdr (RN), and addressing him by his proper rank and post nominals. I later learned that this practice is not encouraged in Britain because of the obvious IRA threat.
However, Canada is an entirely different matter, and I am shocked to hear that Australia suffers from such offensive attitudes towards service personnel.
By god, what exactly are we in the army for if we cannot walk the streets safely of the country we are sworn to defend?
On a related note, I have noticed a lot more US service pers travelling through Pearson airport in uniform than before GW2. After 9/11, I believe there were restrictions on US mil pers travelling in uniform, but after the war it was a matter of service pride and showing the flag. Whereas before I‘d only see guys in civvie showing me their mil ID at the customs line, after GW2, I saw plenty of desert "camo fatigues" and good on ‘em.
I‘ve had the lil‘ kids stare and wave at me in uniform, and I found the most appropriate response was to smile and give a brief wave or nod back. We can‘t make ourselves out to be ogres or disinterested... these might be tomorrow‘s soldiers.
Finally, although I usually go down to the armoury in my PMV, I have on occasion been on transit in uniform, and had to do routine personal business whilein transit (banking, stopping to get things at the store, etc) and wearing the uniform, and I‘ve never had a problem or even heard a distasteful comment. In fact, a former member of my unit recognized my red tourie and identified himself as an ex-CSM of the 48th. We had a pleasant conversation and he wished me luck in my future endeavours (I was on my way to CAC ‘03).
I make no apologies for my choice to serve.
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
Da_Man, they will tell you at your unit if and when you can wear it and everything, but i know for a fact that there are a few MCpls at RMR that discourage anyone who doesn‘t have their BMQ from wearing their uniform in transit.. you leave it in your locker and put it on when you reach the unit..
Ask MCpl Doucheneau (sp?) about it
Ask MCpl Doucheneau (sp?) about it
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
Mabey I‘ve never noticed any of the negative looks...but I have never experienced anything like that. I‘ve had a few retarded saluts, but that‘s not abuse. That‘s ignorance. I‘ve never been called a ‘baby‘ killer travelling on public transit in the lower mainland BC, or anyplace here in Sherbrooke, QC. Must be a Toronto thing eh? (just kidding) But never have I been treated impolitely at an airport, a bus station (well, not in regards to the uniform anyhow) or at a train station. I am appalled to hear about Australia in this, but am not surprised by the situation in England. It is a shame that we are treated like this in the same country we are here to defend. I‘ll bet you‘d never see something like this from the people we‘ve helped - particularly those we helped during the ice storms, manitoba floods and the forest fires.
J
jutes85
Guest
What if you are on your sport bike and wearing a helmet? Would you wear your uniform on the bike, or put it on once you are on base?
btw - Im not sure how much bearing it has on this conversation, but given that they are instructed to follow tradition and regulation to the letter (doesn‘t mean they do, they are just expected to) and are subject to more strenuous rules, first year cadets at RMC are required to wear their uniforms on all business into town. To the corner store, the barber, etc...
if that is the case, then I highly doubt there exists a regulation forbidding the wearing of a military uniform anywhere. I believe this was a "common sense" idea.
I am curious about weddings, funerals, etc of a non-military nature. Do most service members who up in uniform, or in civilian suits/etc?
I know many RMC students wear their scarlets to important family events or community functions back home, both as a source of pride and to promote RMC and the CF... do reg force/reserve members also do this?
if that is the case, then I highly doubt there exists a regulation forbidding the wearing of a military uniform anywhere. I believe this was a "common sense" idea.
I am curious about weddings, funerals, etc of a non-military nature. Do most service members who up in uniform, or in civilian suits/etc?
I know many RMC students wear their scarlets to important family events or community functions back home, both as a source of pride and to promote RMC and the CF... do reg force/reserve members also do this?
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
Unless you are there on a sanctioned military activity and sporting DEU or mess kit, chances are you will be "crucified" if caught.In Petawawa a few years ago, it came down that you could not be wearing combats in the grocery stores past 17:00.Although there is a certain sports bar in Pet where alot of "smokers" are held or liquid lunches that are attended by those in combats.I wouldnt hit whyte ave in Edmonton in uniform though.
Similar threads
