The U.S. Military

Why, on the game show Jeopardy, do military contestants always appear in full dress uniform, spit and polish, ribbons, braid, the whole nine yards? They are off-duty. A pastry chef doesn't wear his white apron and puffy cap. A doctor doesn't have a stethoscope hanging from his neck. A fireman doesn't come clutching his ax, with a hose and nozzle draped over his shoulder. Why does the soldier not wear civilian clothes? He would still be introduced as a Marine sergeant or an Air Force captain or whatever. It is as if he is proclaiming "Look at me! I'm a hero. I protect your Freedom." Considering Viet Nam and now Iraq, it seems to me that some measure of modesty or even effacement would be in order. Stay below the radar. Not in the U.S.A., it seems.

Given that the U.S. is a militaristic nation, is it possible that the brass encourages participation in game shows and orders servicemen to appear in uniform? Just a thought.