6. PDAs
Public displays of affection (or PDAs) are prohibited while in uniform….PERIOD. It’s no secret that most of us lose our minds when we see our service members all spiffed up in their duds…especially in their Service Dress uniforms. But we must overcome our need to grab them up into a never-ending lip-lock whenever we feel the urge. Try to contain yourselves…Even holding hands can be considered over-kill at times, but if they can’t even walk around with an umbrella in uniform, they surely can’t be wearing us all over their faces.
7. Greetings
It took me over 10 years to understand each rank in the Marine Corps, and I’m still working on recognizing them in other service branches. They can absolutely be confusing. While I was learning as a young Marine spouse, my husband actually gave me a really great trick of the trade. He said if there’s a lot of ‘black’ on their chevrons or any ‘bling’ where the black on his uniform would be, always go with sir or ma’am. So I took part of that in stride and decided to call everyone I met sir or ma’am….until they told me to call them something else. It’s a rookie trick, but it worked while I was learning.
8. National Anthem
This has been a point of contention in American society as of late. But the question of whether to sit, kneel or stand is not an option in military protocol. You stand. You put your hand over your heart. You stop talking, smoking or chewing gum and face the flag. PERIOD.
9. THEIR Uniform
They earned it. They signed a blank check in the amount of up to and including their lives. They raised their right hands and swore an oath to protect the constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. That uniform is THEIRS. We should never be wearing their uniform in public, (even if we look awesome in it). Now we don’t see this with our male military spouses (though THAT would be a sight to see, wouldn’t it?). But we have seen photos on social media of other military spouses donning their service member’s uniform. This is an absolute NO NO. To some, this is considered borderline stolen valor. Now if it’s a special request directly from your service member? Save it for the boudoir and no one will be the wiser.
10. RSVP
Our lives are hectic, but when we’re invited to a shin-dig at another Mil-Fams home, or for unit get-together at the behest of the commander’s spouse…we HAVE to RSVP. PLEASE don’t just show up if you have not RSVP’d. Hosting an event can be stressful…and there’s nothing more stressful than running out of food or not having enough room to host.
11. Say Thank You
Thank you cards are one of the few timeless courtesies that should never die out in modern society. If you attended an event hosted by a fellow milspouse, send them a thank you card. If you received a meal train after the birth of your last child, break out the thank you cards (you’ll be up all night anyway with baby, you’ll have time). This is NOT an outdated tradition. This is a stellar fixture in military life. If all else fails, go to the dollar tree and get a few packs to keep on hand. If you’re like me and you just KNOW you’ll forget to send it, go ahead and fill it out before the get-together and hand it to the host/hostess on the way out. If you forget everything else in this guide, DON’T forget to say THANK YOU.
There are WAY more topics that go along with military protocol and etiquette, but this mini-guide should help keep you in the clear for some of the most common offenses we commit throughout our military journey.
Have you ever “flubbed-up” one of these examples? We’d love to hear them if you’re willing to share!
