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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Would like to see sm go back to khaki or class B or class A uniform when stateside. The BDUs should be for combat theatres. We did Khaki with tie and spit shine shoes for summer stateside. I think it felt good when in public to look sharp. Of. Course we wore fatigues in combat zones or for fatigue details.
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No changes, however, an orientation of new wives to customs and traditions would eliminate much confusion and embarrassment
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Sorry, it is not so much your OAO, SO or other terms of endearment, that can cause havoc.
Nope, it's the offspring, the "brats" and "minor dependents," "carpet crawlers" and all the other terms of endearment for our children.
Nope, it's the offspring, the "brats" and "minor dependents," "carpet crawlers" and all the other terms of endearment for our children.
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I was fortunate to be married to a spouse who was also a soldier, an officer and an ADC for CINCPAC at the time we were married so its safe to say that those caveats in the regs were never in question. Since it was a joint service position she had to deal with the regulations of all four services. Needless to say her duties came first as did mine and we both understood. As for which I would change? The answer is none. They are simple and when appropriate can be relaxed by local command if and when its necessary e.g. saluting in a combat zone, especially now.
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SSgt (Join to see), I was walking through a parking lot at the BAQ with the sun squarely in my eyes reflecting off the Colorado snow and was vaguely aware there was a person walking in the next aisle over, but I couldn't really see them. As it was an enlisted housing area, I never even thought about that person being an officer. Soon, I heard a female voice shout, "Airman!" I turned between the rows of cars and walked over to a butter bar and gave her a salute. She demanded to know if I knew I was supposed to salute an officer I told her yes, as I just did so. She was not happy. I suspect if she had been two aisles over she still would have expected a salute.
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MAJ (Join to see)
MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA That was pretty ballsy for a butter bar especially. When guys (especially young privates) would pass me without saluting they would typically give me a deer-in-the-headlights kind of look. I'd simply say "It's ok, just do the right thing". They'd salute, I'd return it, and we'd go on our way. I look at saluting as a military custom and courtesy (which it is), but not something to lose your cool over.
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MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA
MAJ (Join to see) - That is a smooth way to handle the situation and get your correction across. Good stuff!
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Something I witnessed stationed in Misawa, Japan: an Air Force Colonel getting dressed down in uniform by his wife in the parking lot at the exchange. And he just hung his head like a beaten dog.
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Sorry, Captain, but in the Navy, we can salute with the left hand if the right hand is so encumbered as to render saluting with the right hand difficult or impossible.
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LTC Ronald Stephens
I have seen, albeit not often, when a reserve officer on active duty, e.g. an active duty captain who gets a reserve promotion to major get a congratulatory left handed salute by a contemporary. I was also aware that the Navy does employ the left handed salute as explained by the PO2.
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I would want the meetings after basic training or deployment to be given some time not a quick kiss or hug. It's hard to let some one go when you haven't seen them in so long. That's just my thought
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Number 3, talking in a cell phone is not a rule anymore...according to my husband :)
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