[February 14, 2022] When I became an Infantry Battalion commander (with approximately 700 Soldiers), I instituted a policy of wearing our Class A uniform (similar to a suit and tie) to daily work, unless we were in the field. Before that, their commander had “dress down” days and “come as you are weekends.” I stopped this dressing down and got everyone to dress up. My Executive Officer got to telling soldiers, “Don’t dress like a 10-year-old.”
Were a few insulted? You bet they were, but they also got the message and became some of my biggest supporters. Soldiers were tired of dressing like children. Our whole culture pushes the idea that our teenage years are the pinnacle or high point in our lives. So everyone dresses down, especially men who looked like overgrown 10-year-olds. My Infantry unit was all men. It was noticeable.
I thought the dressing down was demeaning, and it was. Folks got the idea. Dressing in our Class A uniform got them to look like a professional adult, allowing them to present themselves in that manner. I will admit that some of the dressing down somehow fits in with the rebellious nature that says anything that violates traditional norms should be shunned or eliminated. It says we should be freer and reject strict dress codes.
But this dressing like a 10-year-old makes us all look the same. How dull can you get? Yes, comfort is something to consider, but a good fitting dress suit can be extremely comfortable, and it makes you feel darn good to wear it out in public. Wearing a U.S. Army Class A uniform turns heads. Next time you’re in an airport or near a military base, watch the dressed-up service members and how others see them.
Then I noticed something else happening. The number of wives and family members who would visit our unit was increasing. Our command team got to meet more and more. And, surprisingly, the families were dressing up too. They seemed happier and more willing to talk to other soldiers, not their husbands or dads. Wives would come up to me and say things like, “Wow, you guys have really made some great changes around here.” Their perception had changed.
Dr. Jordan Peterson, a psychologist, says that it is important to dress like the person you want to be.1 He says that sometimes you have to act out what you want to be before becoming it. It’s a form of practice. The positive response to dressing in the Class A uniform (not the Class B without the tie) was overwhelming. My change in our uniform policy was worth the effort.
How you dress and present yourself is a way of showing respect to others, and we all love to be respected at the end of the day.2 Years after I left the unit, my soldiers, which I occasionally see, will nearly always say the thing they remember most about the unit was the pride they had in belonging to it.
The policy change was worth it. A lesson for leaders is don’t dress like a 10-year-old.
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- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGB4l0ZuV2Y
- https://www.theleadermaker.com/self-awareness-and-success/
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
I know plenty of adults (not yet grown up but look like adults) that wear their hats backwards, ratty ripped bluejeans, dirty and torn tennis shoes, Che t-shirts, no pants belts, etc. And, I’m talking about “men.” Actually sissy men. Seems like they are overrunning our nation. Now, how about transferring them overseas to fight for Ukraine. At least they would get a dose of reality. Oh, no need to bring a face mask.
Sounds like my woke teenager to me.
Yeah, what a pain in the a$$ they are.
We encourage men to be boys instead of showing them the value of being a man. This is part of dumbing down of America by white, liberal, ugly women.
I never gave this much thought. Yeah, I’d read Dress for Success and other books on how to present yourself in a positive light. Also, that it does impact the way we think about ourselves and gives us some internal fortitude. But, Gen. Satterfield sure nailed this one. Don’t dress like a 10-year old child. Men …. wake up.
Plenty of men out there who are really overgrown children without any responsiblity. They are only interested in today, screw tomorrow.
Dress for Success. Remember? Oldie but goodie. 👍
General Satterfield, as usual, pearls of wisdom.
You got that right girlfriend. 👍
I’m glad you referenced Dr. Jordan Peterson. He is a big proponent of this. In fact, I think it might be one of his rules for life (one that didn’t make the top 10 but still important). Great job with your website. Oh, I bought your book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq.” I’m almost done. Fantastic.
Me too, great book. Order Gen. Satterfield’s new book now and enjoy. You will get to read about what happens behind the scenes.
Gen. Satterfield, this article hit home with me. You nailed it. Dressing down doesn’t work. If you look better, you feel better. I know from experience, we all know it. Some may not admit it, but it is true. Maybe those psychologists in the audience can explain why. But I’m not interested in ‘why’ so much as that ‘it works.’ Keep up your good works and keep giving us great articles like this one.
Many will disagree and I’m okay with that. My observations are pretty consistent. Dressing up is a good thing.
Dressing up makes me feel better, I’m more alert and focused. I like it. I never could figure out why – which is unimportant as long as it works and it does. During the decline of our religious institutions, religious leaders okayed dressing down in order to attract more people. Did it work? I don’t think so. Dressing up is always better.
Good point Boy Sue. Too many folks just overlook this simple way that has worked for many centuries. Ignore old lessons and be prepared to suffer for it.
Works for some people, not for others. Depends on the person and how good or not they feel about themsevles.
Same here. Let’s not overlook the obvious and not put it down or dismiss it. 👍
The title of your article got me to read your article, Gen. Satterfield, and I must say I was surprised a little. How we dress is something psychologists have talked and written about for a long time now. “Dress for Success” is their advice and rightly so.
Good article on this: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-reasons-dress-success-gerard-devine/
An interesting experiment, or not. I see now that you, Gen. Satterfield, understood the implications and were willing to take the chance to improve the perceptions we have of ourselves and others. Comfort is less important than how we feel about ourselves.
Dress up, feel better, think better, and be better. That has always been my hallmark of being seen around others. I thought I was alone in this way of thinking.
My son who is an adult still dresses like a “10 year old.” I told me that he might be comfortable, but he looks like an idiot. Kinda like the picture you have on your article. thanks Gen. Satterfield.
Sadly, most young adult men are like children that never grew up. Our culture encourages that they do not adopt responsibility. No wonder there are so many fatherless children. Sex is easy and no responsiblity if a child comes into the world.
I hope they can learn those old lessons.
— but comfort is okay too. Great looking clothing can be comfortable with all the new fabrics and styles we have. We just need the energy and encouragement to get dressed up. ✔
The better you dress the better you feel. Never forgot this idea.
Great points here, Gen. Satterfield. I agree and have seen this work too.
“Dress like the person you want to be.” – Jordan Peterson. No wonder some whackos don’t like him. Dr. Peterson advocates for personal responsibility. Not for govt control – which is the alternative and what liberals are advocating for.
Good point Otto. Personal responsibility, however, I might add, is something that he believes we can sell to young men to get them to come around and be real men. Well, that’s my words anyway. And, I think he is right.
Yes, that is the only path to having a fulfilling life, as opposed to “happiness” which is fleeting. Be thankful for any happy moment but that should not be our aim.
Best quote in article, “How you dress and present yourself is a way of showing respect to others, and we all love to be respected at the end of the day.”
Gen. Satterfield, excellent point. Adults dress ‘down’ so much, it is hard to distinguish them from kids. This is especially true of adult men, young men are the worst at it. Why do you want to look like a ’10 year old’ who is, in most cases, clueless. I don’t want to emulate ignorance. Why? Easy, because there is no responsibility when you are 10 years old.
Right, who wants responsibility? It’s hard, very hard, and requires paying attention, learning, sacrifice, etc. Young men don’t want that.
Like, Like, Happy Valentine’s Day. To all our fans here of Gen. Satterfield’s leadership blog. ❤❤❤❤❤
Hey, got the Like Like …. just “like” the Valley Girls, remember them?
YES! and Happy Valentines Day to you too!
Too funny.
You guys are just too much sometimes. 👍
My dog thinks so too.
What do I like most about this time of year, other than the winter weather? And giving my wife flowers? It harkens to spring time and my favorite time of year.