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Is Our Uniform A Bother?

Thu 11th Oct 2007 12 comments

epaulets.jpg“Isn’t that uniform a bother to you, with people always coming up to you?” my brother asked as we walked into a McDonald’s. Next thing I knew, a woman stopped me to ask where to find help with a utility bill.

After directing her to the right place for assistance, the words “the uniform a bother?” echoed in my mind and I thought about the previous week.

As I signed a check to buy supplies for our Thrift Store from Sam’s Club, the clerk, seeing my Salvation Army jacket, asked me how she could get her 25-year-
old son into one of the Salvation Army’s recovery programs. After talking with her, we clasped hands and prayed together for her and her son.

As I sat in the veterinarian’s office with my dog Tuba, an elderly man sat down next to me carrying a small dog that looked to me like a small rat. After a few moments the man leaned his head over and said, “I noticed those red things on your shirt. Are you with The Salvation Army?” I nodded. He began to weep and shake. Uncertain what to do, I put my arm around his shoulder and began patting him on the back. After a few minutes he regained his composure and said, “I’m sorry. My wife passed away just last week. Just before she died a group from the Salvation Army League of Mercy came and visited with her and got her to laughing. It was the last time I heard her laugh.”

Before I could respond, the receptionist called his name. He picked up his dog, looked at me, gave a half salute, grinned and walked away.

As I was pumping gas and wondering if the price would ever go below a trillion dollars a gallon, a young woman pushing, carrying and pulling three small girls across the parking lot spotted me in my uniform. She changed direction and came over to where I was standing. With the look of a crazed woman (three small children will do that, you know), she asked me, “Can you help? I’ve got no money, no food and no diapers.” Just at that moment, the baby she was carrying threw up on me. In desperation and with a keen grasp of the absurdity of the moment, the woman then shrieked at the top of her lungs, “And my baby is sick!” A trip to the grocery store produced baby formula, diapers, medicine, food and peace of mind for Mom.

While at the store the clerk behind the counter stared at my shirt epaulets and barked at me in a thick Brooklyn accent, “Are you the Captain? I used to be an adherent (member) up in New York. You got a corps here in town? I’m thinking about getting into that whole church thing again. I’ve got kids and stuff now. What do you think Captain, would that be a good idea?”

Minutes later I emerged shell-shocked (or word-shocked) from the store with my purchases and a new member for our corps.

Is the uniform a bother? Because of this unique sign of Christianity with its sleeves rolled up, ready to work, I was able to pray with those affected by addiction, comfort one who was grieving, provide help at the point of need and embrace someone back into the family of God.

I looked at my brother. “The uniform a bother? No bother at all.”

By Captain Jim McGee
Captain Jim McGee serves in the Elizabeth City, North Carolina corps.

Reprinted with permission from U.S. War Cry

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12 Responses

  1. Comment from Morris Vincent, Thu 11th Oct 2007 7:30am

    Thank you to Captain McGee for this article. Being properly identified as a Salvation Army Officer {in this case} was the means of several unique encounters with individuals who had a need. Would the grieving husband been open for conversation had the Captain been sitting there in his jeans and t-shirt? Maybe, but not likely. Any debate relative to uniform wearing needs to be adressed with care and sensitivity to individual situations.

  2. Comment from Mike, Thu 11th Oct 2007 10:47am

    Would these situations happen if the person was a soldier rather than a officer?

    My issue with the uniform is the fact we wear it to church. In these situations above, these are the ideal situations for wearing the uniform. When it comes to wearing uniform to church, I am not sure why we do it in the present society.

  3. Comment from Donna Acre, Thu 11th Oct 2007 11:13am

    I am happy to see some positive statements about our uniforms. I work in a small town and I wear sometype of Salvation Army shirts to work everyday. The people will see the Salvation Army symbol and stop and talk. The young teens that I work with will let me stop and talk to them because they know The Salvation Army symbol and know that we are safe to talk to. The same with the uniform and different functions I go to. People will stop and talk because they know we are safe and hopefully not judgemental. It is important they we are seen in public as safe, caring people and the uniform says that.

  4. Comment from Kathie CHiu, Thu 11th Oct 2007 1:14pm

    I miss being in the east where TSA is readily identified. Here on the west coast of Canada, no one knows what it means or who we are. There are just so many more Salvationists in Ontario and east from there - the numbers can't compare to BC. However, when I wear my polo shirt that says 'The Salvation Army' on it or I wear the Red Shield, then they recognize me and that opens up countless opportunities. It's not the type of uniform we wear, it's the identification with our organization - an organization that has gained the respect of our communities - that makes the difference. May we never lose sight of that.

  5. Comment from Paul, Mon 15th Oct 2007 9:26pm

    The uniform is a bother only when we decide that we can't be bothered to share the love of Jesus or to minister to hurting people. Certainly there are times we are mistaken for store clerks, letter carriers or even the police, but there are more times when the uniform is recognized and people want to stop and talk to us.

    Let's never grow tired of being bothered.

  6. Comment from Patrick, Wed 17th Oct 2007 7:21am

    The Salvation Army is not readily known across the country, or is its name and logo. The uniform is not always appropriate.

  7. Comment from Dee, Thu 18th Oct 2007 1:54pm

    I couldn't help but wonder if the man above had ever been across the country to see the reaction of people to The Salvation Army uniform. I have never known anyone who didn't recognize the uniform on some level, especially in the last few years when the Army has been so hands on and out front at emergency disasters. It is a way of being recognized in the world for who and what we stand for. The uniform is a physical, material reminder to the wearer (or it should be) that we are the hands and feet of Christ and we represent Him even above the Army. If Patrick hasn't seen that, on behalf of uniform wearers, I am truly sorry.

  8. Comment from Darlene, Thu 18th Oct 2007 3:37pm

    As a resident of a heavily populated urban city, with a significant population of visible minorities and new immigrants to Canada, I find the full uniform lacking identity. Except for the pin (ladies) and hats, it does not say 'The Salvation Army' on it.
    I think the full uniform (especially considering the cost) would be most useful as a 'dress' uniform for parades, very special events where the Army is presenting itself. But I would like to see a more practical, easily identifiable version for Sunday wear, and going out into the community for informal, evangelical, outreach events.
    The 'spirit wear' that is becoming more common for everyday wear, would also open doors to ministry if we wear it in our communities.

  9. Comment from henry armstrong, Fri 19th Oct 2007 12:53pm

    I dont see the need for soldiers to wear uniform to church, not much of a witness when most people drive to church. But of course the uniform must and should be worn when doing park or visiting ministries.While doing kettle work people say good to see The Salvation Army. The uniform also gets me free coffee. If people do not know after 125 years what or who the SA is then God help us. Be proud be bold. Iam proud to be a soldier of Gods Army. Henry Armstrong

  10. Comment from Glenda, Tue 30th Oct 2007 4:16pm

    I agree with Captain Jim McGee that the uniform is no bother at all. I believe that the uniform is a means by which people can find us approachable when they see us. And I think it can be a positive influence in the community.
    Why even wear the uniform if you find it a bother?

  11. Comment from jake, Thu 17th Jul 2008 3:05pm

    Hey brah thats a mad as story aye!

    Good 2 see the gospel being brought to the world! i know that im late 2 reply on this but i thought i would have my say!
    I agree with a bloke that wrote in one of the above statements,i see that the uniform was obviously good in those situations but i dont see the point of wearing it 2 church! im a soldier and i dont wear my uniform to church, also we must ask ourselves wat does the uniform look like in 2008, if we change and adapt with the times then surely our uniform must as well!
    Peace and God bless

  12. Comment from brett, Mon 1st Dec 2008 7:09pm

    I am a soldier in the SA in NZ. While I agree with the arguments and reasons for wearing the uniform, the reality from what I have seen is quite different. For people to recognise our soldiers, they would need to be already present in our church on a Sunday. Most will change out of their uniform before going outside the church after a meeting. I desperately desire to commit fully by wearing a uniform(and indeed believe it still has a place), but the hipocrasy and empty meaning I see around me is causing me great concern. Interesting to note that the founders dropped several biblically inspired sacrements due to their divisive nature and the reliance that people placed on them, and implemented sacrements of thier own invention such as the uniform. Like most things they require constant evaluation for their value and meaning in todays context.