and has always been thus.
I got crosswise with a dear lady because I poked a little fun at the Air Force in my last article. No offense was intended and to illustrate the nature of the relationship between the services...I offer this:
I was walking down the street with Skip, a Marine major who was from my home town...in fact we remembered seeing each other around in our high school days even though we went to different schools in different parts of town. Anyway, as we strolled deep in meaningful conversation, a young soldier came around the corner with both hands in his pockets up to his elbows. I waited until I was certain he was not going to salute before I stopped him and reminded him we saluted officers of ALL services, even the Marines. Sluggo slowly pulled his hands out and rendered a salute that was just barely acceptable enough to keep from compounding his problems. I had a little more conversation with him then sent him on his way.
Skip asked me if we allowed soldiers to walk around with their hands in their pockets like that. i laughed and assured him that it was not allowed and that we called that wearing our "Air Force gloves." Skip laughed uproariously, I asked what was so funny and he said that in the Marines they called it wearing your "Army gloves".
So ya see, it is the way we are and it is okay. It doesn't detract from the service of our men in women in uniform one bit...they are tops.