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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Reference your hear-say about senior NCOs running across the road to make a correction, why does it seem like we are the only one's who make the corrections? Regardless, good article!
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I would add SM's required responses to Reveille and Retreat flag ceremonies.
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When I was in the Navy (way back in the 60s and 70s) saluting with the left hand was permissible if the right hand was occupied. I don't know if this has changed since then. Another difference was that USN personnel do not salute while uncovered, while other branches do, so each branch may have their different rules.
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It would seem that the shoal dip shiould be also, Sir . I was at a base and noticd a Airman had a knot I n in his cheek.. I commented I hope you have a medical waiver for that knot in your cheek Airman, because some officer may inquire to that effect.. he found a recoptical and disposed of it.., there may have been a Regulation/guideline.. I was just looking out for him was all..!
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I got one for the Air Force guys! While stateside or a non combat environment you MUST wear that dang on reflective belt in the hours of darkness! That reg. needs to go ASAP! It's varies from base to base but almost all of them have it as a rule.
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1. PDA... I never had an issue with that. But me and my ex, yes ex, didn't play grab ass in front of the Commanders office. Hugging and kissing after someone comes home from deployment....I don't see any issue with that at all. As long as clothes are kept on, I don't see a problem there.
2. Right hand empty, I've never had a problem with that.
3. Cell phones...lol, I guess I'm killing myself on my age here but I don't recall having one in the Navy. 88-94.
4. Gum. Well I'm not a chewer, but I am a smoker. I sure wouldn't walk down the pier to my ship smoking a cig, I'd expect somebody to jump my ass for that. I guess the same can be said about gum.
5. Umbrella? Well when I was on duty in dress uniform there were a lot of situations where an umbrella was good to go. Working unis around the ship, not so much. At a schools command I was at, umbrellas weren't a problem.
6. Spouse wearing uniform items. Well if my ex was wearing my Navy sweatshirt it wasn't a big deal. Now if she took a pair of scissors to a pair of my dress blues and turned them into fishnets to wear to the pier, that might be an issue.
7. I never had any issues with that. If I was on base and in uniform I rendered all applicable military customs and my ex knew it. Maybe she was smarter than some.
2. Right hand empty, I've never had a problem with that.
3. Cell phones...lol, I guess I'm killing myself on my age here but I don't recall having one in the Navy. 88-94.
4. Gum. Well I'm not a chewer, but I am a smoker. I sure wouldn't walk down the pier to my ship smoking a cig, I'd expect somebody to jump my ass for that. I guess the same can be said about gum.
5. Umbrella? Well when I was on duty in dress uniform there were a lot of situations where an umbrella was good to go. Working unis around the ship, not so much. At a schools command I was at, umbrellas weren't a problem.
6. Spouse wearing uniform items. Well if my ex was wearing my Navy sweatshirt it wasn't a big deal. Now if she took a pair of scissors to a pair of my dress blues and turned them into fishnets to wear to the pier, that might be an issue.
7. I never had any issues with that. If I was on base and in uniform I rendered all applicable military customs and my ex knew it. Maybe she was smarter than some.
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