Navadmin 075/11 is one powerful little document. It changes a lot about what I learned in my time in the Navy. The Navadmin 075/11 authorizes Sailor to use their personal electronic communication device (cellphones) while in uniform and while walking.
COMMUNICATION DEVICES (E.G. CELL PHONES, BLACKBERRIES, PAGERS, ETC.) ARE AUTHORIZED FOR USE AND WEAR WHILE IN UNIFORM (TO INCLUDE WALKING)
Walking and talking on your phone, is something I would never had bet the Navy would have allowed. We cant drink and walk, we cant eat and walk, we cant walk on the grass (well thats a old wives tale), but we can now carry on a conversation while walking in uniform.
I personally feel that talking on cell phones while you are walking around is unprofessional and looks poor. Although the message(075/11) probably is more concerned with Sailors functionality on base, I am more interested in how it effects the Sailors image off base. When I am off base in uniform, Dress or Service, I am always concerned about the image I presenting and how that image represents the Navy. Does a Sailor out on town in his/her uniform represent the Navy at its finest if they are on their cell phone? No, and here is one reason why, the idea of a modern Navy Sailor is a highly professional and highly trained individual ready to get underway at a moments notice. There is no mix of personal and professional qualities in that definition. By letting Sailors talk on phones while walking introduces that mix of personal and professional qualities. My first Chief told me something that still sticks with me to this day, he said, "recruiting is not only for recruiters, its a Navy wide assignment". He meant that whether you like it or not, you represent the Navy every time you put on the uniform. It needs to be worn with the highest degree of respect and professionalism.
You might take from this that I am against the use of cell phones in uniform entirely, not at all. I understand that things come up and people need to get in touch with others for any number of reasons. If that situation arises then a Sailor in uniform merely needs to come to a stop, get out of the way of other people and conduct his/her business and then carry on.
So in conclusion, I might not agree with the Navy's rule allowing Sailors to walk and talk on there cellphone and I will never do that. But I am in the Navy and I will uphold all of its rules, whether I agree with them or not. So the next time you see a Sailor in uniform walking thru the mall talking on his cell phone, you need to carry on smartly, that Sailor is within Regs.
NAVADMIN 075/11
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