# Why Do Soldiers Tuck Their Ties In? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 10, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835 "2003-04-10T18:13:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/21 "2013-03-11T23:24:40Z")
A pin? Through the fabric of your fine tie? Pshaw, I say sir, pshaw! A tie bar is far less destructive than a tie pin, and I have been very partial to those tie chains as well. But, as has been posted at the beginning of this thread, a bow tie avoids all such problems. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/22 "2013-03-11T23:32:11Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > A pin? Through the fabric of your fine tie? Pshaw, I say sir, pshaw! > > A tie bar is far less destructive than a tie pin, and I have been very partial to those tie chains as well. But, as has been posted at the beginning of this thread, a bow tie avoids all such problems. Sorry, even this is confusing me now. It’s usually a tie clip. But I have a 1.5-carat diamond pin. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/23 "2013-03-12T00:54:53Z")
So why do firemen wear red suspenders? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/24 "2013-03-12T01:18:27Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > a bow tie avoids all such problems. Except for the one about making you look like a geek. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/25 "2013-03-12T01:21:22Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I think we’re all in debt to **marinetothebone** for stating what needed to be said. I am particulary glad that these lovely children are here today to hear that speech. Not only was it authentic USMC gibberish, it expressed the courage little seen in this day and age. Slithy Johnson is right! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/26 "2013-03-12T03:39:35Z")
The Second Johnson is right about Slithy Johnson being right! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/27 "2013-03-12T05:50:55Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The Second Johnson is right about Slithy Johnson being right! Thank you Robot Johnson. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/28 "2013-03-12T06:16:01Z")
The real question is, boxers, or tighty-whities? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/29 "2013-03-12T12:43:38Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > The real question is, boxers, or tighty-whities? Gotta be tighty-whities for Marines, after that whole Boxer Rebellion thing. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/30 "2013-03-12T12:58:06Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > So why do firemen wear red suspenders? Because they’re hot. ---
**Author:** ![marinetothebone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@marinetothebone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marinetothebone)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/31 "2013-03-15T21:21:01Z")
Well guys, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinion,i am not here to throw destruction,or just to tell someone off like some of you,but there is a difference between a POW and surrender,retired USMC:smack: Master Gunny Sgt.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/32 "2013-03-15T22:11:38Z")
> [@marinetothebone](#): > > Well guys, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinion,i am not here to throw destruction,or just to tell someone off like some of you,but there is a difference between a POW and surrender,retired USMC:smack: Master Gunny Sgt.:smack: Sorry, you’re still not making sense. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/33 "2013-03-15T22:22:04Z")
> [@marinetothebone](#): > > Well guys, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinion,i am not here to throw destruction,or just to tell someone off like some of you,but there is a difference between a POW and surrender,retired USMC:smack: Master Gunny Sgt.:smack: I just love when people are shown to be wrong, and their best retort is “well, that’s my opinion”. Colonel William W. Ashurst, USMC–while commanding 200 healthy, able, armed Marines–surrendered to a hostile Japanese force. Hoping that his men would simply be exchanged for Japanese POWs, he ordered them to lay down their weapons and surrender. How is this _not_ a surrender according to your “thoughts and opinions”? References: [http://philippine-defenders.lib.wv.us/html/biggs\_chester\_bio.html](http://philippine-defenders.lib.wv.us/html/biggs_chester_bio.html) [http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/december2.html](http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/december2.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/34 "2013-03-15T22:30:44Z")
> [@marinetothebone](#): > > Well guys, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinion,i am not here to throw destruction,or just to tell someone off like some of you,but there is a difference between a POW and surrender,retired USMC:smack: Master Gunny Sgt.:smack: Another Gunny lists several more instances here: [http://gunnyg.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/gunny-g-do-marines-surrendera-controversial-topic/](http://gunnyg.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/gunny-g-do-marines-surrendera-controversial-topic/) ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/35 "2013-03-16T03:12:05Z")
But you can bet their ties were properly worn at the surrender. (But really: surrender is surrender and there’s times it’s a sensible thing to do. \* “The Code of Conduct is not a suicide pact”\*. But oh, sure, file it along with similar explanations of why the chevrons point up or why we don’t salute palms-out… ) ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/36 "2013-03-16T06:06:07Z")
Ackkk…I remember my daddy tucking in his tie. He retired from the USAF in 1963. I asked him once, why he wore his tie that way. He said it was because there was no “uniform” (probably meaning “issued”) tie tack or tie bar. Can’t ask Daddy for the answer now. He died in 2008. That was for the uniform where the tie was exposed, not covered by a blouse. Underneath the blouse, it hangs loose. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2013, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/37 "2013-03-16T12:31:14Z")
> [@marinetothebone](#): > > the tucked tie is a symbol of surrender to the enemy. Is this the same sort of nonsense that suggests that the reason that the US military salutes in the manner that it does, and is the only nation to do so, is because saluting with the palm out is a sign of surrender? (Which, of course, is nonsense: other nations salute palm inwards, and the US military is far from undefeated in its history) ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/38 "2013-03-16T12:56:00Z")
> [@marinetothebone](#): > > Well guys, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinion,i am not here to throw destruction,or just to tell someone off like some of you,but there is a difference between a POW and surrender,retired USMC:smack: Master Gunny Sgt.:smack: He says the enemy is NEAR! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/39 "2013-03-16T15:10:30Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Ackkk…I remember my daddy tucking in his tie. He retired from the USAF in 1963. > > I asked him once, why he wore his tie that way. He said it was because there was no “uniform” (probably meaning “issued”) tie tack or tie bar. > > Can’t ask Daddy for the answer now. He died in 2008. > > That was for the uniform where the tie was exposed, not covered by a blouse. Underneath the blouse, it hangs loose. > ~VOW The real reason why is because that’s what regulations said until 1966. Army Class B uniforms still have exposed ties. We just don’t wear them tucked in since 1966. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835/40 "2013-03-16T15:29:13Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > So why do firemen wear red suspenders? A better question is “Why are fire engines red?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soldiers-tuck-their-ties-in/167835.md?page=3)