Public Display of Affection (PDA) ~ The rules & the loopholes

Craig · 05-05-2012, 12:36 AM

Public Display of Affection
In the Navy physical forms of affection such as hugs, kisses, and holding hands while in uniform are known as a "public display of affection" (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 truly 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 properly displayed flag.

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 your sailor.

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.

blueberripie · 05-05-2012, 11:58 AM

Thank you so much for posting this Craig.
I got to thinking about this that at PIR when Liberty is called and my son finds us. I'm the 'extended' hugger type and then will usually break down and cry and I know I would do this if I was able to hug him for too long. I can control myself for my son's sake.

asailorswife · 05-06-2012, 06:50 PM

I've never seen the extended hug re-enforced.. And as time goes on, guys become a little more lax - if I drop Tim off at work, he'll give me a quick kiss as he leaves, and he ALWAYS gives the girls kisses. However, he did NOT do this until he'd been in for probably 3 years. We do link arms, and what's funny is that I find that we link arms a good chunk of the time outside of uniform as well now. (I think we're just so used to it).

The other thing not listed on here - it's not really a PDA, but it does kind of follow the same lines. A uniformed service member may NOT pick up a walking aged child. (they usually enforce this after the child is older, and not at toddling stages). S/he can, however, hold a young child's hand with their left hand.

05-05-2012, 12:36 AM	#1
Craig Administrator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Centennial, Colorado Posts: 2,767 Rep Power: 285	Public Display of Affection (PDA) ~ The rules & the loopholes Public Display of Affection In the Navy physical forms of affection such as hugs, kisses, and holding hands while in uniform are known as a "public display of affection" (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 truly 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 properly displayed flag. 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 your sailor. 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. __________________ Last edited by Craig; 11-13-2013 at 09:25 PM.

05-06-2012, 06:50 PM	#3
asailorswife Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Posts: 1,121 Rep Power: 120	I've never seen the extended hug re-enforced.. And as time goes on, guys become a little more lax - if I drop Tim off at work, he'll give me a quick kiss as he leaves, and he ALWAYS gives the girls kisses. However, he did NOT do this until he'd been in for probably 3 years. We do link arms, and what's funny is that I find that we link arms a good chunk of the time outside of uniform as well now. (I think we're just so used to it). The other thing not listed on here - it's not really a PDA, but it does kind of follow the same lines. A uniformed service member may NOT pick up a walking aged child. (they usually enforce this after the child is older, and not at toddling stages). S/he can, however, hold a young child's hand with their left hand. __________________ Sarah

05-05-2012, 11:58 AM	#2
blueberripie Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 45 Rep Power: 11	Thank you so much for posting this Craig. I got to thinking about this that at PIR when Liberty is called and my son finds us. I'm the 'extended' hugger type and then will usually break down and cry and I know I would do this if I was able to hug him for too long. I can control myself for my son's sake.