What is the most pointless military regulation in your opinion?

2021-07-07T17:49:40-04:00

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 7 at 2021 6:04 PM

2021-07-07T18:04:58-04:00

Hands in pockets

https://taskandpurpose.com/popular/army-private-washington-post-pockets/

Soldiers photographed in WaPo with their hands in pockets

A Reddit post drew attention to the cover photo of a Washington Post story, which shows front-and-center an Army private standing with his hands in his pockets.

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Jul 7 at 2021 6:56 PM

2021-07-07T18:56:28-04:00

Oh boy so many. But definitely hands in pockets. Not only is it pointless but it seems counter productive.

If it’s cold out and your pockets can provide some sort of warmth, it seems like putting your hands in your pockets would improve readiness

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jul 7 at 2021 8:36 PM

2021-07-07T20:36:20-04:00

Any regulation that has the words "at the Commander's discretion."

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 7 at 2021 9:04 PM

2021-07-07T21:04:17-04:00

Stay off the grass

Response by SPC July Macias made Jul 7 at 2021 9:04 PM

2021-07-07T21:04:58-04:00

In the Army, you cannot remain (nor return) to Active Duty if you haven't been promoted to E5 after eight years. This is dumb, because I know dirt bags and overweight people getting promoted to E5 and E6. Also, an experienced E4, who's not a dirt bag, is more useful to the military than people who stay in because they need the money.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 7 at 2021 9:24 PM

2021-07-07T21:24:39-04:00

1. Hands in pockets
2. General's can't receive less than a MSM.
General's have so many perks as it is, why is this even necessary? There are generals that suck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2021 10:09 AM

2021-07-08T10:09:34-04:00

AR 600-9 -- but not for the reasons you might think.

In 2016 I had a soldier who could not lose weight. He was extremely intelligent, always did what was asked of him to the highest degree and wanted to be a leader. Unfortunately, his body composition would not allow him. He had an extremely skinny neck and a large waist, thus making him break the ABCP regulation which led to him being flagged.

I would run with the soldier day in and day out and even on our off days (Friday and Monday), I would find him at the base gym on the treadmill running 6+ miles. None of this helped, he still could not meet the "standard" and was eventually separated after we returned from deployment.

I vented my frustration to our 1SG and eventually got verbally reprimanded for telling him how dumb and outdated I thought the regulation was -- "there are no stupid regulations in the United States Army!"

For this, I will forever dislike/hate the way AR 600-9 sets soldiers with unconventional bodies up for failure.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jul 8 at 2021 12:17 PM

2021-07-08T12:17:37-04:00

Can’t carry a firearm on base. Your in the military, your trained to handle weapons, you’ve already had a complete background check, your performance is rated annually, and depending on MOS a varying degree of a security clearance. I don’t get it, but being the military they would have to issue a separate license that included proficiency, use of deadly force etc, but that’s part of our yearly training too. I think it’s ridiculous my son had to walk around a FOB with no round in the chamber for 7 months with the ANP and ALP completely untrustworthy. Always had to be aware and change procedures because of the blue or green bullshit, if you got caught with a round in the chamber they’d slap charges on you. Your a trained military member for Christ sakes, sure there’s irresponsible people but you handle them individually.

I still don’t do hands in pockets and I’m 65.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Jul 8 at 2021 12:33 PM

2021-07-08T12:33:45-04:00

Saluting, certain grooming standards [hair for one], PT [it continually changes], and the performance rating system.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2021 1:33 PM

2021-07-08T13:33:16-04:00

The litany of regulations that are not funded. Indefinite funding should be attached to all regulations that require "stuff" and not general unit funds but specific funds for each item. There are many items required per AR 840-10 Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile and Aircraft Plates. An orange and white checkered flag, for instance, is required for vehicles on airfields. In 20 years I've never seen one. A similar situation exists for extra duties that units required to staff by regulation and this situation is exacerbated in the reserve component due to the funding needed just to get a soldier on orders to go to CLS, UMO, or LRSO (laser and radiation safety officer) to name a few.

Response by COL Kelly Hines made Jul 8 at 2021 4:26 PM

2021-07-08T16:26:11-04:00

May not be a popular stance and not the most pointless (hands in pockets has to be close to #1)...but Service Members are the only people in the US that can be prosecuted for adultery (even though its incredibly hard to prove). Our civilian leaders do it without ramifications (if anything they get re-elected)...damaging good order and discipline (fraternization/sleeping with one of your Soldiers' spouses) is still a no go/conduct unbecoming...probably time for that reg to catch up with the society we serve?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2021 4:07 PM

2021-07-16T16:07:21-04:00

Is the official sex position still a thing? It was just a few years ago when I first joined.