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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2005: Returned to Fort Hood from a year long deployment (Iraq) in the National Guard. As soon as we land we turn in our weapons and if you have family to pick you up, you get to go on a 4 day pass. Otherwise you have no access to your car (personal vehicle) and get to stay in the barracks, on base, while everyone else is is home with their family.
The uniform regs state that you can't have any identifying marks (name tapes and unit patches) on uniform items while wearing them with civilian attire.
I end up stuck at Fort Hood, without access to my car, and it froze over. So I sterilized my cold weather jacket so that I could walk around base, while everyone else is at home with their families.
4 days later, everybody comes back and are standing in formation. 1SG starts questioning me why it is that I'm out of uniform. I ask him what kind of leader leaves his men stranded on base without so much as a number for cab while everyone else gets to go home to see their families. I then ask if I were expected to remain in uniform the whole time. I did the right thing by adhering to regulation and sterilized my uniform. He didn't say anything to me after that.
The uniform regs state that you can't have any identifying marks (name tapes and unit patches) on uniform items while wearing them with civilian attire.
I end up stuck at Fort Hood, without access to my car, and it froze over. So I sterilized my cold weather jacket so that I could walk around base, while everyone else is at home with their families.
4 days later, everybody comes back and are standing in formation. 1SG starts questioning me why it is that I'm out of uniform. I ask him what kind of leader leaves his men stranded on base without so much as a number for cab while everyone else gets to go home to see their families. I then ask if I were expected to remain in uniform the whole time. I did the right thing by adhering to regulation and sterilized my uniform. He didn't say anything to me after that.
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SPC (Join to see)
They did that to my ex-husband's unit, too. The Soldiers in the barracks that had their cars in storage had to wait for everything to get sorted out a day or two later (they also didn't want Soldiers driving for the first 24-48 hours unless absolutely necessary because that helped reduce accidents) but the Soldiers who did have access to cars because they left them with friends or family in the area, or married Soldiers, were expected to help the stranded Soldiers out to the best of their ability. I think the Staff Duty also had a government van for limited transportation to the PX and commissary a few times a day until the cars were picked up for the most recent group to return.
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#6 depends on whether it has any rank or official patches on it. If there is nothing indicating it is a piece of a uniform, it is just a piece of clothing. Federal law prohibits the wearing of any article of uniform. So, a BDU blouse with no insignia is NOT a uniform item. Some items, such as rain gear or socks, or boots, are allowed to be worn as long as there is no rank insignia on it.
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SMSgt Joseph Fitzhenry
The last information I received seven years ago stated that you are entitled to wear your uniform in accordance with regulations the same as if you were on active duty or an active member of the Reserve or Guard. It may not be worn to rally's supporting any cause, or which may be considered as DOD endorsement of any event or organization but may be worn, for example, to a wedding, as long as it is worn correctly with no embellishments or unauthorized devices or insignia.
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
There is (or was) an Army site you could visit in St Louis that would allow you to get a current version of all the awards and decorations you are authorized to wear, and in fact to be sent one each of those that DoD issues.
It told me that I am authorized to wear the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device, a Bronze Star, NDSM, the Vietnam Service Medal and some others, but only the issued ones were sent to me. The others are readily obtainable on the open market.
Sure wish I could find an after-market knock-off of the RVNAF Signal ("Atomic Chicken") Badge. I have the orders in my file...
It told me that I am authorized to wear the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device, a Bronze Star, NDSM, the Vietnam Service Medal and some others, but only the issued ones were sent to me. The others are readily obtainable on the open market.
Sure wish I could find an after-market knock-off of the RVNAF Signal ("Atomic Chicken") Badge. I have the orders in my file...
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SGT (Join to see)
SP5 Michael Rathbun - I do a little insignia collecting, so you just gave me something to look for out of curiosity.
Is this the badge? http://r.ebay.com/7FVECX
I know this one is cloth and the listing is over anyway, but it shows me what it looks like, so it would be easier to track one down. It may be possible to locate an original in ""uniform worthy" condition, or a reproduction that meets the appropriate Heraldy standards.
I will try to remember to check on this response over the next few days.
Is this the badge? http://r.ebay.com/7FVECX
I know this one is cloth and the listing is over anyway, but it shows me what it looks like, so it would be easier to track one down. It may be possible to locate an original in ""uniform worthy" condition, or a reproduction that meets the appropriate Heraldy standards.
I will try to remember to check on this response over the next few days.
Vietnam ARVN Signal Corps Badge Color On OD For US Jungle Uniform Rare | eBay
Vietnam ARVN Signal Corps Badge Color On OD For US Jungle Uniform Rare | Collectibles, Militaria, Vietnam (1961-75) | eBay!
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
SGT (Join to see) That is indeed the one. I was given a crude local-market version of the cloth patch late in my tour. The one pictured above is orders of magnitude higher quality. The official-issue metal version looks cruder than that, in fact.
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Chewing gum shouldn't be a problem, it does not show any unprofessionalism.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Many people look like a cow chewing on her cud when they chew gum. Although if you can chew gum with your mouth shut, there is nothing unprofessional about that
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TSgt Guy Perkins
I think the gum rule was to prep those who may end up in Singapore and thus prevents any potential cainings.
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I never heard the gum rule i mean in formation yeah but just around the motor pool or doin paper work never got called out on it. I have been hemmed up for having something in my right hand though even though saluting a Lt with a water jug looks hilarious when you just spent 2 weeks in the field.
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I had an officer try to jack me up for my spouse wearing what looked like a piece of my uniform. I asked him for written orders due to the fact that the item belonged to her not me and what he was ordering me to do was to force a civilian to follow his orders. I noted that we were not on federal property and I could not force her to follow a regulation that she was not contractually obligated to follow.. My spouse is not under contract and not subject to the UCMJ. he asked me why I wanted the order written and I told him that that was what I was told to do in a non emergency when given an illegal order to cover myself. he then asked for my unit and CO's name. I gave him that and my CO's home phone number. never heard about it again.
there are many things in service that persons think they can order you to do but do not really have the authority since you have a contract. There are many things the armed forces does to people that they think is wrong but IS in their contract. I was told I should have put in a request to get permission to become married; I asked where the articles on marriage were in the contract, and was told that they did not need such; I showed them court cases where the military was found in breach of contract for having tried this before. Sure there are things that are not worth contesting.But i will not tolerate being bullied in any way shape manner or form.
there are many things in service that persons think they can order you to do but do not really have the authority since you have a contract. There are many things the armed forces does to people that they think is wrong but IS in their contract. I was told I should have put in a request to get permission to become married; I asked where the articles on marriage were in the contract, and was told that they did not need such; I showed them court cases where the military was found in breach of contract for having tried this before. Sure there are things that are not worth contesting.But i will not tolerate being bullied in any way shape manner or form.
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Private!! WHY DO YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS IN YOUR FUCKIN OOCKETS??? WHATS IN YOUR OICKETS THAT YOU HSVE YOUR HANDS IN MY UNIFORM LOOKING LIKE YOUR HANGING WITH YOUR BUDDIES ON THE BLOCK? AN I ONE OF YOUR FUCKIN BUDDIES? DO YOU THINK WE'RE FRIENDS PRIVATE?? WHAT? SOUND OFF PRIVATE! WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKETS THAT YOU FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE YOUR HANDS IN THEM?? I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKETS PRIVATE!!! SOME FUCKIN PUSH UPS! GET DOWN AND BEAT YOUR DACE UBTIL I GET TIRED! AND THINK ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU FEEL THE NEED TO OUT YOUR HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS!
LoL sound familiar to anyone? Benning style all the way ladies and gentlemen.
LoL sound familiar to anyone? Benning style all the way ladies and gentlemen.
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