Macho/Stern Attitude in Military/Police/Guards, etc.

[Interrupt]

I was just watching a military commercial and it reminded me of a very weird question I have for those either previously in the military or those currently serving (or any similar field). First, don't think I'm anti-military or anything like that. I have family in the armed services and wouldn't dream of disrespecting a soldier defending the country. I'm merely wondering about a certain adopted attitude found in various walks of life, but, all too often seen with military personnel, police, security guards, etc.

Why is unsmiling, stoic, and stern looking considered "strong"? The whole not-being-moved-by-emotions things doesn't seem strong, it seems kind of silly. It isn't really a military thing either... it can be found in all walks of life. If I was an enemy I wouldn't be convinced one way or the other by looking at a stoic adversary versus a smiling one: I can look at a stern person and laugh, I don't feel remotely phased by it.

In the military I guess I can kind of understand it. You want to give off the impression of a unit working together, no cog different from the next (in a positive way, I mean), working in sync. Not saying a "drone," more like a member of the team and not like a solo player.

Yet I find this to play a bit into the realm of macho nonsense (I don't mean gender related, mind you, men and women both hold these jobs). There are plenty of MIS/IT, command post, network admins, etc. in the military, not just field folk so I don't think that's it. MOS doesn't matter. You're telling me during daily routines you don't smile at your boss? B.S. I personally know people that serve that are best friends with their C.O. and smile even in public, joke around, etc. I can understand not showing all that in a commercial though.

Having worked with the police I can also say this is prevalent there as well. But some of the older officers I've met seem to be more down to earth. They seem to realize you catch more bees with honey. While they aren't "weak" they are certainly not adverse to smiling on the job. Connecting with people.

I'm not saying folks shouldn't be "on their guard" or being so loose they are laughing like baboons, just not being so hard. I'm not saying people shouldn't be serious in a job that's dangerous either: seriousness is fine, if that means unsmiling, so be it. But I have a feeling there's more to that attitude than seriousness. I have a feeling that it's being emulated because it "looks" strong, cool, whatever. People outside these lines of work are emulating it for whatever reason: you can see that in any school.

I realize that some people's personalities are not emotional or expressive. That's not what I'm referring to either. Hope I'm making myself clear. I'm really curious about this overwhelming ideology that permeates certain jobs, media and our culture in America.

I was just curious if anyone else feels the way I do about macho/stoic persona in any field that is typically viewed as "strong"?

[Chuckiechan]

Why is unsmiling, stoic, and stern looking considered "strong"? The whole not-being-moved-by-emotions things doesn't seem strong, it seems kind of silly. It isn't really a military thing either... it can be found in all walks of life. If I was an enemy I wouldn't be convinced one way or the other by looking at a stoic adversary versus a smiling one: I can look at a stern person and laugh, I don't feel remotely phased by it.

Because if you can scare them enough, maybe you won't have to fight them.

Intimidation is even practiced in the animal kingdom. Anything to avoid a fight.

[pickel]

Because if you can scare them enough, maybe you won't have to fight them.

Intimidation is even practiced in the animal kingdom. Anything to avoid a fight.

Intimidation is all in one's MIND.

"Walk Softly , but carry a Big Stick"

What does Theodor Roosevelt's quote, "Speak softly and carry a big stick" mean?

It means that you do not need to be a bully, loud and aggressive (speak softly) but have the capability to defend yourself and what you believe well if you need to( carry a big stick)

[Interrupt]

That makes sense, Chuckie. And so too does the other side, Pickel. I guess different folks have different methodologies. Me personally? I'm a lot like what Pickel describes. Most people under estimate me. At least they did in high school and were very surprised when I did act.

I don't know, I'm quiet but I don't mind showing a lighter side. But then again I'm not on the battlefield! Those guys that are know far better than I do the appropriate way of acting.

My question is more for the commercials or those that act that way here. I find that acting intimidating or hard is either really silly or stupid because people are more apt to respond to such with violence, anger or frustration.

Dunno, that's my point of view anyhow. Lots of folks say I'm too goofy in person.

[brandon184]

I'd imagine the purpose of it is to leave no room for interpretation.

[Interrupt]

True! Be it enemy or potential friendly, you can't mistake/over analyze a face without expression. That's true, no assumptions to be drawn: actually I like that a lot.

[Taxmancometh]

When I was in ROTC and marched in parades I never smiled. I wore my uniform with pride and was a bad ass.

[Chuckiechan]

Intimidation is all in one's MIND.

Then if you can't intimidate them, and they can't intimidate you, then you fight - or in modern terms, send your people to fight their people.

No one wants to admit to intimidation. But if it leads to an "alternate outcome" then something changed in the mix or reasoning.

[Interrupt]

When I was in ROTC and marched in parades I never smiled. I wore my uniform with pride and was a bad ass.

Picture or it didn't happen.

[Taxmancometh]

I'm not posting my picture here! Just imagine a 5' 11" brown haired man wearing a class A uniform and wearing a red beret.

Army Service Uniform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Epidemic]

here is why

[Interrupt]

here is why

Super interesting read, Epidemic. Thank you for sharing. It actually makes me look at the police and law enforcement in a new light. Kind of sad the type of work they do to better humanity and yet sacrifice a lot of themselves in the process!

You just earned it:

/thread for Epidemic

[de_day]

A similar thing can be said of the military. It is nothing to see soldiers laughing and interacting with kids and local residents. But when called to attention or to the task at hand (defense, offense, etc) all seriousness takes over.