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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A lot of this drove my ex crazy, especially not using both hands!! One question though, am I the only one who expects to hear bugles @ 1700?
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SPC (Join to see)
Ft. Carson was doing ALL bugle calls at one point while I was there... 0630, 0800, 0930, 1130, 1200, 1300, 1630, 1700.
I learned not to be driving by post headquarters at Ft. Stewart at 1655... I spent more time in the backseat during retreat than I did standing outside the truck saluting! My poor daughter, she was 8 when we arrived at St. Stewart, and we had been stationed in Chicago before my discharge, and before that, we'd never heard a cannon go off at Ft. Bragg, Ft. Riley, or Ft. Wainwright (I don't know if they just didn't fire it, or if we just weren't close enough) but the first time I was stopped at the gate for retreat next to post headquarters and the cannon fired, she went into full hysterics.
I learned not to be driving by post headquarters at Ft. Stewart at 1655... I spent more time in the backseat during retreat than I did standing outside the truck saluting! My poor daughter, she was 8 when we arrived at St. Stewart, and we had been stationed in Chicago before my discharge, and before that, we'd never heard a cannon go off at Ft. Bragg, Ft. Riley, or Ft. Wainwright (I don't know if they just didn't fire it, or if we just weren't close enough) but the first time I was stopped at the gate for retreat next to post headquarters and the cannon fired, she went into full hysterics.
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Are some of these Army specific? Because the Air Force has no prohibition on chewing gum (unless you are in formation), and no blanket ban on umbrellas (must be black or dark blue).
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Lt Col (Join to see), actually it can only be black now, it changed a few years ago.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
I learned something today. I never carry one, so the rule change didn't affect me...but now I know.
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Maria Lohin
Yes I was just about to say that. They've been there long before you were even born. It's tradition. No change.
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All of these are fairly simple to mitigate. Even in the days when I worked 16-17 hour days I did not mix the military with my personal life, I have always lived off post I never travel off post in uniform or display military paraphernalia. With the exception to the on base hospital my wife had no idea how to navigate Fort Carson and refused to come on post or near my job, simply put when I am in uniform my wife never sees me.
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I need to look it up now, I was only aware that gum was not allowed while in formation.
As for the rest, it definitely took my husband a while to get used to not holding hands while I am in uniform and not to walk and talk on the phone. He took it all in stride, though, and now points out soldiers that are wrong when we are out.
As for the rest, it definitely took my husband a while to get used to not holding hands while I am in uniform and not to walk and talk on the phone. He took it all in stride, though, and now points out soldiers that are wrong when we are out.
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During my stint with the 9th Infantry regiment, we have to salute officers by saying: " (1st, 2nd or third) Manchu Sir!" The officers must answer:" Keep up the fire!"
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The one my spouse never really gets is why I have to go to parade rest when addressing a senior NCO. She doesn't really get military customs and courtesies in general, but that is another topic
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MAJ (Join to see)
I have always admired how 1SG goes to parade rest when addressing the CSM. A great role model on display.
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30-year retiree here and never heard or saw any restrictions on umbrella use—must be a service-centric (or even a specific command) thing.
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the umbrella reg is pure BS...the AF allows it I know...who wants to get soaked running into work for a 10 hour shift? common sense IMHO. and also a dated reg IMHO.
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My brother almost smacked me when I took his hat off as a joke while we walked around his place at camp pendleton, or when I tried to get him to take a bite of a hot dog while we were walking
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MAJ (Join to see)
Both of those things are terrible offenses in the Marines. I'm positive that in the Marines, crusty, old E-7's can hear infractions like that a mile away and will drop whatever they're doing to make an on the spot correction. Which typically results in the Marine wishing he had gone to college instead. Ha!
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