Earrings and a ponytail.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Matt

I just received word that I am going to be a 1SG (you want a translation, let me know) of a headquarters company (BTW, not to toot a horn, but I'm 29 years old.) I keep seven piercings and three visible tattoos. The tattoos are in reg. The piercings stay, due to my job, and I have an exception to policy (for you Catholics, a dispensation) to have them.

Matt - first, congrats on your assignment (I'm retired Army) and understood everything you said!

I guess one question we need to ask - are you an exception to the rule or the new breed?

I am very conservative in my beliefs and as you know, being that you're in the military, first impressions are important. I'm sure you've had your share of "issues" due to your decisions - and that's natural.

Some (me included) are pre-disposed to their ideas about long hair, facial hair, tatoos, etc. Until the playing field is leveled (in the future, if it ever is) there will always be two sides to this....and there is really no sense trying to talk the other side out of their opinion.

Just my $02.

PS - we have this discussion annually on the basketball referee forum. Same issues.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by grunewar

... I am very conservative in my beliefs and as you know, being that you're in the military, first impressions are important. I'm sure you've had your share of "issues" due to your decisions - and that's natural.

Some (me included) are pre-disposed to their ideas about long hair, facial hair, tatoos, etc. Until the playing field is leveled (in the future, if it ever is) there will always be two sides to this....and there is really no sense trying to talk the other side out of their opinion.

Just my $02.

PS - we have this discussion annually on the basketball referee forum. Same issues.

The problem starts when you see everything as having only two sides. That's why you are limited in your scope. There are far too many people with far too many concerns for there to only be two sides.

Open up and look around. You're only here once; you gain way more when your eyes are open.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

You're only here once;

Again you fail to recognize that there are other religious beliefs.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I sure hope that if I do have another life, it's as a man again.