Before I started with the department, I spent several years in the military. Quite a few of us are ex-military or retired military and a good percentage are still in Reserve and Guard units.So I know how to wear a freaking uniform.
But many of us don't have a clue.
I'm not one of those "A.J. Squared Away Razor Sharp Creases With Mirror Shined Boots" types. That's just not me. I never cared for shining like a diamond. I always preferred glowing softly like an old silver dollar. My uniform is clean and for the most part wrinkle-free. My boots are in the same condition. Clean and serviceable.
There are times when I can go several days in the same uniform. Then there are the times when I come home with a fine layer of pepper spray and other assorted Hive Funk on me and I drop my clothes into the washer as soon as I can home.
But if I do come home fairly clean I hang my clothes up on hangers each night. What wrinkles the previous day gave me usually relax out during the night. And if they do not and I just don't like the look of it, I'll toss them into the laundry hampster and get a fresh one for the day.
I try to look at least competent.
But there are a few of us that come in looking like ten bags of what the snap. Like they had either slept in their uniforms or kept them in the glove compartment of their car and threw them on out in the parking lot.
And this isn't just C.O.'s either. There are a few of the upper echelon types that come to work looking like a used tea bag. That kind of behavior in a supervisor tends to trickle down and the whole place unravels.
The uniforms they give us are as low maintenance as can be. Wash them and hang them up. Wipe the dirt off your boots and put on a minimal layer of polish once a month.
If I can't trust you to take care of yourself, how can I trust you to have my back when things get bad?
Take at least a little pride, there.
"[...]ten bags of what the snap[...]"
ReplyDeleteI substituted what I thought might be the proper swearword for "snap" and found this to be the funniest phrase I've heard in a long time.
Thanks for the laugh!
Mel- I think you know the right word. We used to have a Sarge that used that phrase all the time. Ex-marine, I think. It kind of stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteIn raising my boys, friends were suprised that I starched thier cub scout uniforms, i mean really they only wore them for an hour and a half, and then there was the shoe shine lesson, where a mother said "you did that?" I mean they have to learn it sometime, don't they?
ReplyDeleteloopymama
Mel, yuo still have the honor of putting out my favorite, "Tuna Skank."
ReplyDeleteDarev, do you wear a hat to work?
The first impression is one that lasts.
ReplyDeleteApplaud your comments, love the photo
ReplyDeleteHelp needed!
Due to a glitch in amazon.uk's system, I seem to have written the only crime thriller in the UK that doesn't appear on amazon.co.uk All my publisher's other titles are listed and my book can be ordered from all other online suppliers, including amazon.com! There is no reason to exclude my title and Amazon.uk refuse to explain themselves.
I'm an insignificant individual, powerless to influence this huge organisation, but their indifference has incensed me. I'm attempting to battle amazon.uk's monopoly in the UK by asking readers to order my inexpensive paperback from other suppliers. If you would be kind enough to consider supporting my campaign against a faceless corporation, please check out my blog for details of Cut Short by Leigh Russell.
Loopy- Even if they never have an occupation where they will use those skills again, at least they have them. They can look presentable if the occasion arises.
ReplyDeleteGuy- We have ball caps with the DOC logo on them. They aren't mandatory with the uniform, but I'm a wearin' a hat kinda dude.
Anon- Most of the people I meet make a bad first impression.
Leigh- Good luck with your battle. Don't know why they would be so obstinate over what is a minor error on their part. Some people are just jerks like that.