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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I still think the no umbrella rule is silly. My favorite story of someone charging up to me to make a correction was when I was Stationed on Ft Dix and they still had cook school there. I was a medic assigned to the Emergency Room and Ambulance section. We had a post commander exception to the hat outside regulation if on an Ambulance emergency. I am walking from a trainee mess hall back to my ambulance to get equipment and the post commander drove by. I saluted as I should. I heard a screech of brakes and a car door opening. Out of the corner of my eye I see the Post CSM running across the street. Just as he gets to me and starts to yell I reach the ambulance. As I open the door I hear 3 more car doors open and a CSM start to stutter. Out come the Post Commander. his Aide and driver ended up helping carry the injured soldier to the ambulance while the post CSM spoke with his family. It was a visiting day right before a Basic Training graduation. so 2 stars, 1 1st Lt, a Sgt,me, and a Spc carrying a stretcher while my partner carried our bag. The General thought we should cut across the field and the ambulance litter wheels wouldn't roll through the mud. I so wish I could have gotten a picture. The General and his aide where in dress uniform. The driver and I were in BDUs and not a hat on any of us. LOL
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LCDR (Join to see)
Sounds like a great General to have. My understanding is GEN Miley and his aides stopped and helped CPR and traffic at a traffic accident in DC, good to have folks willing to get dirty hands.
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Policies and regulations vary between services and even between commands. What is acceptable varies as well, even if not covered by a formal rule. In 20 years of service I have seen a change of command turn everything on its head. "Improvise. Adapt. Overcome"
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#4 --->
Might be an exemption when the gum is used for the administration of gum --- such as aspergum, or nicotine gum, or lidocaine gum for dental or mandibular problems ...
"Medically prescribed...."
NOTE also for #2 --- the right hand is THE weapons hand --- originating with the sword
"#8. I will always walk on the right, to keep my right hand free, unless accompanied by a legal superior, who will position to MY right."
Might be an exemption when the gum is used for the administration of gum --- such as aspergum, or nicotine gum, or lidocaine gum for dental or mandibular problems ...
"Medically prescribed...."
NOTE also for #2 --- the right hand is THE weapons hand --- originating with the sword
"#8. I will always walk on the right, to keep my right hand free, unless accompanied by a legal superior, who will position to MY right."
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The umbrella rule. Wet weather gear is a universal joke in the military; sure, it keeps the rain off you, but you end up getting drenched in sweat anyway. In garisson, at least, SMs should be allowed to use an umbrella when not actually working outside, (police call, common task training, etc...).
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I'm pretty sure I can think of something to add, but I have an instinctive response to smother/gut/skin the good idea fairy before we're all stuck with more unnecessary rules dreamed up by NCO's that would sprint across a street to correct a Service Member. Some soldiers live for this sort of thing, I do not. I recognize there are some time honored traditions that we should hold in accordance, however, we should practice care and reason, lest we revert to the level of cold war garrison stupidity that existed in the Reagan/Bush years that drove away many a good Joe.
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Saluting, after being jacked up by 1LT for failing to notice him while jogging from headquarters where I was assigned, to the motor pool after that made a point to always salute him and told him I would always from then on whether down range or in a war zone you will get a salute to me respect needs to be earned not demanded i spent to many down range exercises following a leader that couldn't read a map or take a suggestion from a lower ranking individual
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All these 7 items are true of all military branches. PDA, umbrellas, wearing uniform items, chewing gum, ect. All members of the military have to tell their spouses about the Serious Seven. Do this when you are dating, ngaged and then married. Maybe this spousal brief could save your relationship/marriage from falling apart after the first few months. The hardest part comes later when you're rasing kids.
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To my wife at the time, Cannon went off at 5, forgot to tell her ya gotta stop the car and get out with your hand over your heart as they drop the colors. Got to meet the Colonel the next day, that conversation did not go well, really loud!
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Something I'd like to see is a more clarified regulation regarding pda between a service member and a non-service member spouse. We go into such detail with those that are with in the ranks but not really when it comes to outside of our ranks. I'd expect that kissing yes would be a no no but how about hand holding with the left hand. I think most of these things could really be elaborated on in regs. Honestly I think the best thing to do is if you are not sure ask your self if you want to risk it and just admit you were wrong or decided the risk is just not worth the hassle.
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