Proper public behavior with your sailor - after PIR and throughout their naval career

[Jaimers]

Posted by Arwen on January 6, 2010 at 12:09am

In the Navy physical displays of affection such as hugs, kisses, and holding hands, like in some small towns in Georgia, are known as a "public display of affection" or PDA and are forbidden.

There is one exception: families saying goodbye to a sailor before a deployment or greeting a sailor returning from deployment or long separation. Boot camp counts under this exception, with limits. One enthusiastic hug of greeting and a quick kiss are acceptable. French or extended kisses are not. Nor are extended hugs, hanging off your sailor, etc.

Hand-holding at any time is forbidden. There is a compromise, and I consider it to be a fairly romantic one. A sailor may offer his arm to his girlfriend/wife/mother, she lays her hand in the crook of his LEFT elbow in a formal escort-type pose. Likewise, a female sailor can take the RIGHT arm of her husband/boyfriend/father with her left hand. In a truely romantic gesture, men may lay their right hand over their lady's hand (to keep it warm, or for skin-to-skin contact). The sailor must ALWAYS have his right arm free to salute an officer or flag, should one show up.

Also, just because you aren't on base, don't assume they aren't looking. RDCs and other boot camp personnel also go to the mall, out to restaurants, to Chicago, etc, and they will be looking for new sailors breaking the rules. Some may actually be assigned this job in popular venues. Even if they run into the recruit by chance and are just out with their own family, they will report the new graduate. You won't likely see them because they will not be in uniform, but they will see you.

And no, they won't punish YOU. They will punish your sailor when s/he returns to barracks. The most common punishment is to have their liberty revoked the next day, or if the behavior is observed on the final day of liberty, new sailors can be retained for an extra week of boot camp. These are not idle threats. They actually do it.

About uniforms

Your sailors will be wearing their dress blues, not their whites, on Friday at PIR and after. If you wear something light colored, be sure to bring a lint brush for your recruit to "clean up" his or her blues. They're wool and pick up just about anything. If you are bringing a pet, bring one of those sticky-tape rollers to de-fur your sailor.

On Saturday and Sunday they will be wearing their service uniforms, which is a khaki shirt and black slacks or skirt.

They start wearing whites the weekend before Memorial Day, so you will probably see them in their whites when they come home on leave after A school.

[Jaimers]

I saw this on a another forum and thought it was good info to know: 

 

More rules, from the official Navy website

1. Graduating Sailors may not smoke, drive, or consume alcoholic beverages while on liberty.
2. Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC.
3. Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty. If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must be in authorized Navy issued workout gear.
4. Liberty expires at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sunday. No overnight liberty is authorized. Due to security checks and transit time, please allow ample time for graduating Sailors to walk back to their assigned ship prior to the end of liberty.
5. Families may not enter the base after graduation and will need to meet graduating Sailors for liberty at the main RTC gate.
6. Graduating Sailors departing RTC for follow-on training the same day as graduation or in a duty status will be granted limited on-base liberty.
7. Graduating Sailors receive an in-depth liberty briefing prior to their graduation day.

 

[maryquitecontrary (1131 M)]

I absolutely understand that the Navy has these rules for a reason, and thank you for posting this information Jaime - I do not want to get my sailor in trouble! Hard to believe that after this long awaited reunion (and I know that its not long compared to what deployments may be), we can only give a quick hug! Guess we'll all be rushing them back to the hotel so we can give them some good squeezing hugs! :)

 

Thank you again, Jaime.

[gaylemm]

Thank You for posting. :)

[azhorsemom]

Thank you so much for posting this!

This is good information, because we wouldn't want to get our son in trouble, and possible have part of his liberty taken away...I think he might also be impressed with us when we show up and already know all this information :)...trying to learn as much as possible about our sons new and exciting life :)

 

[MM89Beth]

Thanks Jaime,

I did not know that they couldn't drive.  But I suppose they must know all the rules.

I am so anxious and excited!!!!

[Jaimers]

I saw this and didnt realize all the rules....i knew of some but not all....lol   ....Your welcome ladies

I cant wait for PIR .....its almost here

 

Jaim

[AshleysmomRosemary]

Good to know Hey I think I am going to be afraid to hug Ashley!! LOL

[maryquitecontrary (1131 M)]

haha i feel the same way.... don't want to do anything to get him in trouble!!