sort of reminds me of my days in the army reserve. We weren't allowed to wear our DPCUs other than to/from the bases. However on the days that I'd pop into a shop for a meat pie or something, people always had a kind word to say, esp when they saw the rank slides on my epaulettes - I think the uniform sort of demands some sort of respect, so I don't know why you guys take your epaulettes off - you friggin worked hard to earn it, why hide it? (I'm Mr Naive here).