Posted on Jan 16, 2015
7 “In-Uniform Rules” Service Members Wish Their Spouses Knew. Any to add?
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With how busy so many Service Members are due to their military duties, it’s sometimes tough to ensure that our spouses are fully up to speed on rules and regulations that may be relevant to them, or to the time we spend together on the installation. Below, we list 7 of the most common “in-uniform rules” spouses should know.
Which ones would you change, and why? What else would you add to this list?
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1. PDA is typically prohibited, except for certain special situations.
Military regulations take public displays of affection (PDA) more seriously than many spouses realize, due to high standards for professionalism. Special situations like a return from a deployment MIGHT be acceptable circumstances for a quick “welcome home” kiss, depending on your chain of command.
2. My right hand is empty for a reason!
While in uniform, Service Members are typically expected to keep their right hand empty while in conditions that would require a salute, which is done with the right hand only. This may seem obvious to SMs, but many spouses do not know this!
3. I can’t talk on my cell phone while walking.
Talking on your cell phone while walking in uniform on base is one of the easiest ways to get jacked up as of late. It’s like putting a target on your chest. We’ve heard countless stories of Service Members witnessing a Senior NCO sprinting across the street to make this correction! Epic.
4. Why I say “no” when you offer me a piece of gum.
Many military units prohibit chewing gum while in uniform, especially while stateside. We’ve heard reports that this may vary depending on the military branch or command policy of the SM, including the degree to which it’s enforced. But just in case, it’s important to know this!
5. I can’t use an umbrella when it’s raining. Seriously.
Uniformed SMs typically cannot utilize an umbrella when it’s raining outside. They have wet weather gear for that, even though that gear still allows them to get soaked most of the time. We’ve heard reports that some female SMs may be allowed to use an umbrella under certain circumstances, and we also can’t confirm how strictly a SM’s chain of command enforces this. But beware that SMs using umbrellas is as squared away as a football bat.
6. Wearing my uniform items could get me jacked up, or worse.
This is a sensitive topic for some SMs, but there have been countless situations where a spouse wears the SM’s uniform items in inappropriate ways and is perceived as casting the military profession in a negative light. Enforcement of this policy also depends on the SM’s chain of command or installation policy, but PLEASE be thoughtful and considerate if you ever decide to put on your SM’s uniform items while outside of the home environment.
7. I still need to salute and greet while we’re together.
This aspect of the military profession occasionally irritates spouses, but when a SM is uniformed and on the installation he is still required to greet and salute IAW regulations, even if the two of you are enjoying a nice private walk together. This issue occasionally catches “new” military spouses off guard – meaning those who are new to the military culture, perhaps due to recent marriage or their SM recently joining the military.
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Which of these would you change, and why? What else would you add to this list?
Which ones would you change, and why? What else would you add to this list?
//
1. PDA is typically prohibited, except for certain special situations.
Military regulations take public displays of affection (PDA) more seriously than many spouses realize, due to high standards for professionalism. Special situations like a return from a deployment MIGHT be acceptable circumstances for a quick “welcome home” kiss, depending on your chain of command.
2. My right hand is empty for a reason!
While in uniform, Service Members are typically expected to keep their right hand empty while in conditions that would require a salute, which is done with the right hand only. This may seem obvious to SMs, but many spouses do not know this!
3. I can’t talk on my cell phone while walking.
Talking on your cell phone while walking in uniform on base is one of the easiest ways to get jacked up as of late. It’s like putting a target on your chest. We’ve heard countless stories of Service Members witnessing a Senior NCO sprinting across the street to make this correction! Epic.
4. Why I say “no” when you offer me a piece of gum.
Many military units prohibit chewing gum while in uniform, especially while stateside. We’ve heard reports that this may vary depending on the military branch or command policy of the SM, including the degree to which it’s enforced. But just in case, it’s important to know this!
5. I can’t use an umbrella when it’s raining. Seriously.
Uniformed SMs typically cannot utilize an umbrella when it’s raining outside. They have wet weather gear for that, even though that gear still allows them to get soaked most of the time. We’ve heard reports that some female SMs may be allowed to use an umbrella under certain circumstances, and we also can’t confirm how strictly a SM’s chain of command enforces this. But beware that SMs using umbrellas is as squared away as a football bat.
6. Wearing my uniform items could get me jacked up, or worse.
This is a sensitive topic for some SMs, but there have been countless situations where a spouse wears the SM’s uniform items in inappropriate ways and is perceived as casting the military profession in a negative light. Enforcement of this policy also depends on the SM’s chain of command or installation policy, but PLEASE be thoughtful and considerate if you ever decide to put on your SM’s uniform items while outside of the home environment.
7. I still need to salute and greet while we’re together.
This aspect of the military profession occasionally irritates spouses, but when a SM is uniformed and on the installation he is still required to greet and salute IAW regulations, even if the two of you are enjoying a nice private walk together. This issue occasionally catches “new” military spouses off guard – meaning those who are new to the military culture, perhaps due to recent marriage or their SM recently joining the military.
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Which of these would you change, and why? What else would you add to this list?
Rules
Spouses
Regulation
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 187
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Let's not forget the whole hands in pocket thing that, which should just be deleted. Not to many 1sg or csm left in the army that even care to enforce that one anymore. Don't beleave me get up here to JBLM, land of no haircuts, and baseball caps.
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The only thing I find interesting is the gum chewing because chewing tobacco goes right under the radar in most every aspect.
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This list also belongs on (where is half of this in the regulation) I know the not talking on cell phone one and hand saluting or proper greeting on post but some of these are unit level or post level SOP the pda one as well is however one of the few on this list that is in regs
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Ya white socks?! One of the soldiers in my squad who used blousing rubbers would wear white socks instead of the issue wool! His excuse was his wife wouldn't wash his wool socks because she didn't like the feel of them and didn't see why he needed them any way! After he was counseled on why he was required to wear them and not white cotton socks while in uniform he must have made it clearer to his wife why he needed his OD green socks. For 2 months after that he had a sock inspection daily at morning formation. Also my wife at the time couldn't understand why I spent so much time on my uniforms. Every Saturday morning shining Boots washing and pressing uniforms to include Caps. Studying regulations and brushing up on different things. I tried to explain to her at the time if I expected to promote I had to project a professional squared away soldier's attitude and knowledge she would just give me a blank look and go on. Even though it was medical issues that ended it for me in the end. After writing this Man do I feel old!!!!!!
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SPC (Join to see)
WAIT, he didn't wear the regulation socks because his wife wouldn't wash them because she didn't like them!? EXCUSE ME, WHO WEARS THE UNIFORM? That's right, YOU! So if your wife doesn't want to wash them, YOU wash them!
My ex-husband had a Soldier who didn't have his Class A uniform ready for a pre-inspection. He said his wife was supposed to take his uniform to the cleaners and didn't, so she took them in the day before and they weren't back yet but he didn't have the ticket from the dry cleaner saying they were dropped off and when they'd be back. He kept blaming his wife for not getting them in on time, and I happened to be with my ex-husband during that phone conversation and I just looked at him and said... Um, it isn't his WIFE'S job to make sure his uniform is taken to the dry cleaner on time, if she didn't get it in 3 days ago, HE should have done it HIMSELF either that night, or the next morning on his way into work. Blaming her for not doing it for 3 days is bull.
My ex had to learn this lesson once, too. He had to wear dirty PTs to work one day because instead of putting them in the laundry basket, he'd left them pile up on the floor on his side of the bed, only one set was in the laundry room, so I didn't know he was completely out of PTs. He jumped me about not doing laundry often enough. I told him to do his own laundry... ALL of it. As in, I pulled out his socks, boxers, civilian clothes, uniform, and put it in a separate basket. I only washed my clothes and my kids' clothes. After a few weeks of trying to keep up with his laundry, he apologized and begged me to run a load of socks and PTs for him while he was at work. I still, til the day we separated, refused to wash his ACUs, though... I drove myself bonkers trying to velcro, button and zip every single fastener on his uniforms, never bothered with mine, and I finally gave up trying to do it for him.
My ex-husband had a Soldier who didn't have his Class A uniform ready for a pre-inspection. He said his wife was supposed to take his uniform to the cleaners and didn't, so she took them in the day before and they weren't back yet but he didn't have the ticket from the dry cleaner saying they were dropped off and when they'd be back. He kept blaming his wife for not getting them in on time, and I happened to be with my ex-husband during that phone conversation and I just looked at him and said... Um, it isn't his WIFE'S job to make sure his uniform is taken to the dry cleaner on time, if she didn't get it in 3 days ago, HE should have done it HIMSELF either that night, or the next morning on his way into work. Blaming her for not doing it for 3 days is bull.
My ex had to learn this lesson once, too. He had to wear dirty PTs to work one day because instead of putting them in the laundry basket, he'd left them pile up on the floor on his side of the bed, only one set was in the laundry room, so I didn't know he was completely out of PTs. He jumped me about not doing laundry often enough. I told him to do his own laundry... ALL of it. As in, I pulled out his socks, boxers, civilian clothes, uniform, and put it in a separate basket. I only washed my clothes and my kids' clothes. After a few weeks of trying to keep up with his laundry, he apologized and begged me to run a load of socks and PTs for him while he was at work. I still, til the day we separated, refused to wash his ACUs, though... I drove myself bonkers trying to velcro, button and zip every single fastener on his uniforms, never bothered with mine, and I finally gave up trying to do it for him.
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Umbrellas ARE authorized in the Air Force uniform. From the AFI: Umbrellas must be plain, black or dark blue, and carried in the left hand. No walk and talk on cell phones. No color restrictions on cell phones, and NO AFI on chewing gum in uniform. Though I don't think you would get away with chewing your cud in uniform. I hated guys who pinched snuff, spitting in any bottle available. Now that was gross.
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#3 is a big one, I even try my best to continue this habit while in civilian clothes, just so that I don't get into the habit of doing that at all. I don't want walking and talking or walking and texting to be in my muscle memory group.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing, Neither my spouse nor I objected to "the seven" while I was still serving. Frankly, I think using an umbrella with a dress uniform is a little lame. I'm old school though, and I guess it's just as well, for me and the Army, that I'm retired!
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