This week the Army announced that soldiers will no longer be required to Velcro many of their patches onto their ACU shirts - camo uniforms for the uninitiated. Instead, they’ll be able to sew them on, just like in the good ole days.
And, he can finally ditch the itchy, uncomfortable black beret that leaves the ever sexy red indention across the front of his forehead. He’ll be able to don a patrol cap – camo hat for you civilians.
These small changes in uniform had my husband practically dancing in his seat.
It’s amazing what small changes an employer can make that can boost the morale of an entire work force, even a staff as large as the U.S. Army.
I can tell you it’s a pain to remove all the Velcro patches before washing. If you forget, they come off and become lost. They rip. They fray. You inevitably spend a Monday morning at 4 a.m. searching the bottom of the junk drawer in the kitchen for a replacement before he heads to work to explain why he’s missing a patch.
The awards that are currently pinned on the uniforms bring out the OCD nature in every soldier. My husband busts out the ruler every week to make sure his jump wings are perfectly centered, one-eighth of inch above the name on his left side. “Yes, I’m sure it’s straight,” is our Sunday night conversation.
And the beret, that’s just a matter of safety. Without the front bill of the cap, my husband’s face is constantly being burned by the sun.
Army leadership said the changes were made after thousands of soldiers were asked what uniform changes they would like.
So, in your workplace, what changes would you demand, if you could? Is there something that seems small and insignificant to the outside world that would make your daily life on the job so much easier?
At a newspaper I once worked at I would have given my kingdom for an electrical outlet near my desk.
My husband has a permanent smile over a change to patches.
What would make your job easier?