What is the “officer look” and what are some unspoken rules that officers should follow?

Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:52:08 -0400

One of my PLs in the past never wore any wet/cold weather gear in garrison and his uniform was always sharp. He seemed to follow a whole different set of rules when we were in garrison. However, in the field he was never scared to get dirty or do the hard work. So I want to know what these rules are and if many officers still for follow them, or is this a thing of the past? I’ve always been intrigued by the officer standard and the pride that comes with it.
(One of the rules should be all officers should know how to read a map lol)

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 23 at 2021 12:56 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:56:40 -0400

Look up all the 2Lt jokes and try NOT to be any of them. However, keep your sense of humor for when you do, and you will. We all do go through it. That said, once you put on the uniform as a commissioned officer, act like you are in it whether or not you are wearing it. I am talking about being professional; there's always someone watching you. And don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. The troops will respect you for it.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Sep 23 at 2021 12:57 PM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:57:43 -0400

The only "look" I'm familiar with is when they're "lost and confused" --- wear the appropriate uniform properly and you'll be fine. No shame in wearing snivel gear either.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Sep 23 at 2021 1:01 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 13:01:09 -0400

Good Luck in your endeavors! Listen to your NCO’s! (I never made it to OCS due to an injury; however, I had interactions with many ‘screwy, lieuy butter bars’... lol)

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 23 at 2021 1:20 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 13:20:30 -0400

Officers plan and resource typically and NCOs execute these plans and resources but when you are a Lieutenant this will seem very mixed.
Ask your rater and Senior rater how they judge / rate their subordinates and make sure you track those items and reflect them back to your leadership.
Be confident in what equipment you use and wear it to the Army / Unit standard.
Be confident in what you know and don't be afraid to ask questions on those items you don't know.
Research topics that come up with your leadership, unit and subordinates so that you learn quickly.
Ask questions and advice on how to get tasks completed to standard from the NCOs.
Care about your people and their families and what is important to them and see if you can assist where appropriate. Most of the time it is pointing people to the right resources: JAG, Chaplin, Community Services.
God Speed in your pursuit!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 23 at 2021 1:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 13:28:14 -0400

- Be tactically and technically proficient. In combat branches this must be achieved to gain trust from the platoon. The NCOs don't want to give the platoon to an ignorant PL.
- Roll up your sleeves and work with the soldiers. Suffer with the troops.
- Listen to the NCOs. If they are professional, their major goal is to make you competent.
- Be humble.
- Read your commander's Command Philosophy so you can start thinking about leadership.
- Take care of the soldiers.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 23 at 2021 3:19 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:19:38 -0400

Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member I Loved my Garrison cap. (when I was in the Army) And, I Loved my Class-A's.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 23 at 2021 4:40 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 16:40:36 -0400

I am not touching this.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2021 10:49 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 10:49:05 -0400

I regards to the cold weather gear I think that kind of thinking is silly at best and bordering on bad leadership. I've heard of rules, even on a deployment, where Majors and higher weren't supposed to wear bonnie caps, for example. What is accomplished by that kind of thinking? It ends up putting unspoken pressure on other soldiers to follow suit. As a SGT with a flight packet in process I questioned if I should stop wearing a bonnie cap so as to look more like a future officer. If the example the PL sets is that wearing a jacket, even in cold weather, is unprofessional then soldiers, at least those that want to move up, might follow suit.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 27 at 2021 2:48 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:48:07 -0400

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 27 at 2021 4:06 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:06:03 -0400

It's not different rules, just closer attention to them. Why would you wear special use clothing when you are not in the situation they are designed for? As soon as you are not in the wet/cold conditions, change into the UOD. The idea is to be an example of adherence to conditions and always present the example. It isn't appropriate to remain in soiled field gear or PT gear any longer than necessary. You can't expect your people to go to the trouble of appropriate appearance unless you set the example.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2021 9:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 21:40:39 -0400

Someone once told me that when officers run it makes the men nervous. I try to stick to that. Unless I'm being shot at, I try to walk stay calm in all situations.