I would like to express my opinion about the traditions, customs and courtesies in the United States Marine Corps. I understand that the Marine Corps has a mission but it seems to be very unclear what the mission is. I also understand that the USMC has several traditions. What I don't understand is how a tradition can be made mandatory. .
Tradition - The unwritten or oral delivery of information, opinions, doctrines, practices, rites, and customs, from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; the transmission of any knowledge, opinions, or practice, from forefathers to descendants by oral communication, without written memorials.
Customs and courtesies is another thing. I think the USMC needs to get with the 21st century. We are definitely taking these traditions, customs and courtesies too far. For instance; it is a common courtesy to salute an officer while in uniform, but does it make sense to refrain from wearing cold-weather head gear during winter just for the sake of saluting an officer? Another tradition has to do a lot with wearing "appropriate civilian attire." By the order "appropriate civilian attire" is supposed to resemble the service "C" uniform. This is where we need to get with the 21st century. Current styles and trends are more easily accepted in today's society. If someone were to walk around public in clothing that looks remotely like that uniform people would most likely stare in amusement. The only uniform that looks nice is the dress blues. And what is so wrong with wearing a HAT inside a public building? I did not say "cover" I said HAT. Someone in the Marine corps made up a rule that you can't walk and talk on a cell phone in uniform. Why not? Is there a valid reason? Someone made up a rule that you can't walk and eat or drink. Why not? Is there a valid reason? Someone made up a rule that you can't wear camies off base. Is there a reason for this? Everyone knows what they look like.
