The word ‘uniform’ is supposed to represent a unity in something like clothing or behaviour. From staff uniforms to school and sports uniforms the idea is that by wearing that particular item of clothing you are able to be recognised by your teammates. At the same time as it unifies a group it also differentiates between different functions within the team.
Whether you work at a fast food restaurant or are a health care worker, you will probably be asked to wear some kind of uniform to help identify where you are affiliated. It also helps the public and customers to identify staff members if they need help with a query. People who work for a parcel delivery or mail company are usually distinguishable by their uniform, and you always recognise the postman when they come down your street. At the same time, you will also recognise a security guard, a police officer, and an airline pilot by what they wear when working.
Schools and Uniforms
Schools all over the world use a uniform dress code so as to avoid the less well-off children being singled out for their clothing. They also use uniforms so that pupils are identifiable when outside of school. Most countries that have mandatory uniform policies for the pupils implement it by sending the pupil home if they do not appear in correct attire. Uniform styles will always vary by each school’s choice of colours. But usually a school uniform comprises of black or grey trousers or skirt, blue or white collared shirt, blue, black or grey blazer jacket and a V-neck sweater. Many offer the choice of whether to wear the school tie, but it is generally considered part of the mandatory uniform.
Some countries, such as the United States do not consider a school uniform to be mandatory, and it is more or less only private schools that insist of having one. Regular State schools do not mind what students wear, but there is a dress code in as far as it has to be decent.
You’re in the Army Now
Armed forces members are not usually permitted to wear their uniforms while not on duty. There are exceptions to the rule, and that is usually when their company arrives back from a tour of duty or manoeuvres and has to wait to be officially dismissed. Only then can they change out of their fatigues and into ‘civvies’.
Army, navy and Air Force members wear different types of uniform to signify their brigade or company and their rank within that brigade. There are also different uniforms for different situations. For example, combat situations usually require wearing camouflage fatigues and boots. A parade uniform will be a more formal and perfectly polished affair, while an informal uniform will be their representative uniform.
Wearing a uniform can offer a strong sense of pride, especially if one is wearing it for the good of others or to represent a business or organisation in which one takes pride in working for.