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<div>What is your understanding of the current Army policies/regulations on PDA?</div><div><br></div>Do you correct Soldiers who you see engage in PDA in uniform?<div><br></div><div>What regulation or document do you support that correction with?</div><div><br></div><div>At what level of affection does PDA "cross the line" from acceptable to prohibited?</div><div><br></div><div>Is it about "professionalism"?</div>
Professionalism
Regulation
Law Enforcement
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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It is closely related to what is considered acceptable PDA in any setting, not limited to the military/uniform. No one would want to be walking their kids to the car from the mall and see two people aggressively kissing in the parking lot. It should be closely related to social norms.
My wife was here long before the army, and god willing she will be here long after. I'll hold her hand every chance I get. Holding hand, A peck on the cheek or -GASP-- a peck on the lips after a lunch date during the duty day, shows strong marital bonds. A positive message to anyone who might observe, IMHO.
If you wouldn't do it in front of small children, you shouldn't do it in uniform.
Is that an odd way to sum it up?
My wife was here long before the army, and god willing she will be here long after. I'll hold her hand every chance I get. Holding hand, A peck on the cheek or -GASP-- a peck on the lips after a lunch date during the duty day, shows strong marital bonds. A positive message to anyone who might observe, IMHO.
If you wouldn't do it in front of small children, you shouldn't do it in uniform.
Is that an odd way to sum it up?
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
I think that is a rational and logical philosophy on PDA: If you wouldn't do it in front of small children, or in a formal setting, don't do it in uniform.
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SrA (Join to see)
At the end of the day there's PDA and there's get a room. Weather you're in uniform or out if you're displaying a form of PDA where it's viewed as you need to get a room you should stop and rethink your surroundings. Now when I ever see this I will always tell that couple to go and get a room. I see no harm in that. It's a friendly reminder.
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Most of this is common sense, nobody wants to see someone with their tongue down someone else's throat walking out of the px/bx, c'mon now.
When I think about a time when 'pda" is generally acceptable, it is the emotional reception and return at our welcome home ceremonies. I think we all get emotional and appreciate the rejoicing moments when we see our loved ones after we return from deployments.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
hand holding leads to other things, maybe hands in the pockets and etc, then there's a Major out there in the parking lot that doesn't get saluted....Houston, we have a problem
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Lt Col (Join to see)
I've never understood the hands in pockets rule. What is the point of those pockets, then?
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir, we can keep our phone, keys, billfold, etc. in an easy spot to get to. Thought I do agree it is a bit unnecessary... Some pictures I've seen of the CSA and SMA show they don't care for the reg either.
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SPC (Join to see)
Sir, hands in pockets in recognized as a threat. That is how law enforcement perceives it, ex. knives and/or other weapons. Keeping your hands in your pockets is also recognized unprofessional.
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I don't think that PDA should be something that needs to be regulated. I think it is one of those things that being a Soldier and an adult you would know its not appropriate. I like to put things into perspective to my Soldiers. Look at it like this. What would you do if you dropped off your kid at school and the teacher was making out with her husband in the hallway? Not cool. Unfortunately certain members of the military feel that they are owed something for serving and they are the main violators of the "common sense" rules that have to be enforced due to sheer ignorance of people nowadays. We had to make No Texting and Driving a law...really? I do think that there are situations that it should be allowed, particularly the ones you mentioned, but you shouldn't have to enforce something that is taboo in a modern work environment.
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SPC (Join to see)
I'm with you 100%, SFC. I think that, "I am an expert and I am a professional" means that we should act professionally but we don't need to regulate our level of professionalism either. Give us the chance to act like adults.
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LTC (Join to see)
When there are so many other things that we have to have regulations on because someone was stupid enough to do or try, we need to have at least some cursory regulations about PDA.
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Well I'd Have to agree that SUCKING face is in appropriate. But if I am walking holding my wife's hand and someone was to tell me that it is inappropriate I'd probably polity tell them to FO! There isn't a regulation banning it. As someone else commented if we are having lunch and we are leaving then I will hug my wife and give her a cheek peek or a lip peck! Not going to stop! I think it goes to someone not wanting to see a same sex couple kissing. Then it goes back to what was said earlier! If you wouldn't do it in front of children, don't do it. If you would then don't do it in public at all. Most that are doing it in public are LOOK AT ME people anyways! That is my 2 cents sorry to offend. <br>
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My husband and I are dual military. We do not have public displays of affection while in uniform, even when prodded by the chain of command. My husband was receiving an award in front of the battalion and the CSM made a comment that the ceremony wasn't over until we had kissed. We both looked at him and said, "we don't do that Sergeant Major." He looked mildly perplexed for a second but got over it relatively quickly. Their issue has not been raised since....lol
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC Smith,
On our part or on CSM's part? I am a little confused....lol. We weren't being disrespectful. It is just not something we participate in. I think CSM was merely giving us the permission necessary to do so if we wanted to. He understood our reluctance and it hasn't been mentioned since and is not expected when we are together anymore. Sorry if I offended you. That was not my intention.
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SFC (Join to see)
I am old fashioned. I will hold my wife's hand, even in uniform. I will place my hand on the small of her back to usher her through a door that I have opened for her. If she is dropping me off at work for some reason, I will give her an affectionate peck before I get out of the car. I see nothing wrong with showing affection to your spouse in public while in uniform in this way and I don't think any higher leadership would either. It becomes an issue when Soldiers go overboard and do things that should be reserved for the privacy of their own home in public and become an embarrassment to the uniform.
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SGT Genty McFarland
I understand what SGT Jennifer is saying. When you are dual military, and are the female, you feel like there are certain roles in your life that you do not want everyone to see. I felt the same way during ceremonies. Now, it's different and showing a little PDA being out of uniform is more permissible.
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Sometimes it's appropriate even if the couple sucking face isn't on a date together at the time:
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1LT (Join to see)
I don't think things were as rigorously enforced in the days of the "real sailors". My dad, HMCS, told me my grandfather, then a Photographer's Mate 2nd Class punched out his Lieutenant and was regularly involved in fights. Only thing that happened to him was being busted down to 3rd Class... Several times. He was also in the Subs just before Korea, so that may have something to do with it.
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True story....I'm currently stationed at KAF, I haven't been around units outside of the 82d for a while. I was walking and I saw (I'm not lying)a national guard female cpl walking side by side with a male civilian, side hugging and holding hands while walking.<div>Luckily I was twice as big as her "boyfriend" so he just had to stand there as I educated her on being stupid, but I realized I kinda saw them at a distance and they passed a lot of other leaders that didn't say a word.</div><div>Anyways, that's my 2¢</div>
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I think the ALARACT message at the following link clarifies it. It seems that what crosses the line is purely subjective and situation dependent. I don't often see PDA while Soldiers are in uniform, but if I do I would simply tell them that their conduct is not appropriate where/when they are doing it. I do think this is about professionalism. PDA can quickly establish an awkward situation. How would it look if the CO or 1SG were to bring their spouse into the company area and begin having a "make-out session" in front of their Soldiers?
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
I'm not sure this really clarifies the issue. Would you correct a Soldier on PDA for holding his wife's hand walking out of the Commissary to their vehicle?
I completely understand that a make-out session in the supply bay would be unprofessional.
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LTC (Join to see)
Thanks CSM....however the ALARACT does leave it open to interpretation....what defines "other circumstances where modest displays of affection are commonly accepted"? Holding hands during lunch at a restaurant? A simple kiss goodbye before returning to work? Just food for thought.
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SSG (Join to see)
can anyone help me how I can change my orders to korea? I called branch and said im going to korea but my orders has been messed up before , I am originally going to Germany. help!
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CSM (Join to see)
Sir, most regulations leave it open to interpretation and that is why every place you go has their own views on certain regulations and rules. I would use the ALARACT and Article 134 as a reference point, but look into your installations "blue book" to see what the CG accepts as PDA. I agree with what SSG Goicoecha stated above, but again i would check with my local installation rules.
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LTC (Join to see)
CSM / SSG G...appreciate the feedback, that is why I posted, the NCO Corps always keeps us straight. Great comments and insight, thanks!
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Depends on the PDA. Holding hands, fine. Hug and a quick kiss, fine. Making out...too far. Grabbing each other's personal areas...too far.
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