For the seventh day of the A to Z Challenge, I find myself at the letter G and I was really surprised on how hard it was for me to come up with something for the letter G. At first I thought talking about the Gates, and how intimidating it can be for a new spouse to drive onto base for the very first time only to be surrounded by people in uniform holding very big guns. Then I thought maybe I would talk more about the GI Bill and why we decided to save it for our daughter. But neither seemed quite right. But, then I thought about greetings, 

Types of Greetings

The three most common greetings on base, and the best way to handle them. 

Sir & Ma’am

The most common greetings you hear on base are sir, and ma’am. It may seem a little old fashioned, but it isn’t like that in the military community. I remember the first time my husband introduced me to one of his co-workers and they said, “it’s nice to meet you ma’am.” I was taken back. I felt too young to be a ma’am, I was in my early twenties, not a grandmother. But I realized, they weren’t trying to offend me, they were trying to be respectful, and who doesn’t like being respected?

Sir and ma’am should really be your two goto words. Anytime I am formally introduced to anybody regardless of rank or affiliation I always say, “It is nice to meet you, sir” or “It is nice to meet you, ma’am.” It really has become like second nature to me.

The Salute 

If you are walking around on base with your spouse there is a good chance you will walk by someone who will salute your spouse, or your spouse will have to salute. So it is best to always walk on the left side of your spouse that way when they go to salute you aren’t in the way. Also, please don’t salute back, they aren’t saluting you. 

The same goes for driving through the gate. If you are driving and your spouse is sitting in the passenger side, the gate guard will still salute them. Again, they will be saluting your spouse, not you, so don’t salute back. 

The Head Nod & Quick Hello

People on base tend to be very friendly. Whether you are walking out of the BX, the Commissary, the gas station, the hospital, or anywhere else on base it is most likely someone will give you a head nod and a quick hello as a greeting. It is okay to say hello back, being friendly is always encouraged!