Have Military Standards Dropped?

By Master Sgt. Stephen Tackett

Article published on: May 1, 2026 in the Spring 2026 Edition of Army Communicator

Read Time: < 3 mins

Customs and courtesies are fundamental components of military culture that embody the values and traditions of the armed forces. They serve as a means of fostering discipline, respect, and cohesion among service members.

I am constantly asked by retired service members, young Soldiers, and Department of Army Civilians if our military standards have dropped. My answer to them is always, “Yes.” Does this have to do with the changing culture or leaders not being as engaged as they used to be? What happened to individuals saying, “Good morning” or “Good afternoon?” Why is it rare to see Soldiers give the greeting of the day to leaders in passing?

As a young Soldier at Fort Stewart, Georgia, I would see vehicles stop and its occupants get out to render salute during Reveille and Retreat. This was a normal thing to see for many Soldiers and veterans. These actions are becoming less practiced throughout our military.

As a young private, I was taught that you start your day by saluting the flag before conducting physical training, and you end your day with saluting the flag. These small actions that became habits created structure for many of us. In today’s world, we are so focused on the big things that we forget about the small things. Remembering the small things of saluting the flag or giving the greeting of the day creates the discipline needed for us as Soldiers and enhances the pride of serving in something bigger than ourselves.

What has changed in the military to create this big shift? Is it because of the mass deployments Soldiers endured during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts? Is it because we no longer starch and iron our uniforms or shine our boots? I believe it is a mix of everything.

As the United States military, we are here for one reason: to fight and win America’s wars. But within this reason, we have forgotten how to be Soldiers in garrison environments. We need to always train for the next conflict, but we also need to remember that we have an obligation to look like—and carry ourselves—as professional Soldiers. We must stand straighter than the average person, hold our head higher than the average person, and speak in a courteous and professional way when out and about.

A big shift occurred when we stopped starching and ironing our uniforms and shining our boots. There was a level of pride on Monday mornings when you came to formation trying to look “crispier” than the individual next to you. This created an environment of pride and competition that improved the discipline, respect, and cohesion of an organization while providing leaders an opportunity to inspect their Soldiers’ appearances and military knowledge. What about field exercises or deployments?

The answer to that question can be answered by countless retirees. You had your formation boots and your working boots. We have also continuously changed our uniforms to match the conflicts we are currently in. There is nothing wrong with this, but back home in garrison, we should maintain a proud, professional appearance.

We continuously say, “Get back to the basics,” but we don’t know which basics to get back to. There are many different worlds within our military: deployments, garrison, overseas, special operations, and many others. Many of the operational basics are different in these environments, but the basics of professionalism are the same, and that is one basic that should not change. The military's reputation is closely tied to its adherence to customs and courtesies. A decline in these standards may affect public perception of the armed forces, as society often looks to the military as a model of discipline and professionalism. Maintaining high standards of conduct is essential for preserving the trust and support of the American public.

The question of whether standards have dropped in the military is a complex issue. While there are indications that practices have become less strictly enforced, the military must find a balance between adapting to societal changes and maintaining core values that have defined the armed forces for generations.

Customs and courtesies are not merely traditions; they are the foundation of military culture that uphold discipline, respect, and cohesion. The military must remain committed to reinforcing these standards to ensure operational effectiveness and preserve the integrity of the institution.