Traditions and Protocol
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Army Teas are Steeped in Tradition
Teas are steeped in tradition, so receiving an invitation to a tea can give you a feeling of excitement as well as, perhaps, a feeling of apprehension! For spouses who have never been to a tea and especially during these times of COVID restrictions and postponed events, we shall share a few insights and a throwback story to help set the stage for future events.
Coffees, Pins, and Camaraderie
If you ever went to a unit coffee before the virus disrupted our lives, you were continuing an Army tradition that dates back to the days of our very first lady, Martha Washington. She saw the need to support the wives as well as the troops and held many get-togethers for different groups every week. She even had her own “rules for good coffee”—a cup of water and heaping tablespoon of her specially-selected coffee “pulverized as fine as cornmeal.”
Who Goes First? That is the Question: Reception and Receiving Lines
The virus has changed our lives in many ways, and Army protocol continues to evolve amidst the challenges. We hope that, with the vaccine, life will soon be back closer to normal. When that happens, there’s one updated tradition occurring in Army protocol that we would like you to be aware of and understand.
That change is the protocol surrounding Army reception lines!
Cheers to New Year’s Receptions
This month our team will share one of the oldest military traditions—a New Year’s Reception! For more than one hundred years, military custom called for soldiers to travel to their headquarters to greet their commander at the beginning of the new year. In the post-Civil War era, particularly for the horse cavalry in the American West, this might have been the only opportunity during the entire year when commanders were able to physically see their soldiers. The tradition evolved into a formal receiving line and reception, where the commander and spouse would greet members of the organization, senior leaders, and community members. Commanders would typically host receptions in their home, and invitees would bring calling cards.
Knives, Forks, and Spoons
The AWN traditions and protocol team hopes you will enjoy this post about table settings and “dressing” the table. A time to reflect on family and all of our blessings!
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to keep up your family traditions or experiment with new decoration ideas. You can set the table with varying heights for the appetizers and use festive table linens, candles, and a centerpiece!
You’re Invited: Q & A with the Protocol & Etiquette Team
Military life can come with a lot of questions: what to wear, how to respond to invitations, went send a thank you note, and so much more. Below are some common questions the Protocol and Etiquette team is asked.
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): “It’s better to be thoughtful to others than to be socially correct.” —Ann Crossley
National Flag Etiquette: Memorial Day and Veterans Day
What Army spouse’s heart doesn’t swell just a bit when she or he hears the sharp flap of our beautiful American flag as it waves in the wind? It represents our wonderful country and the service for which their family devotes themselves. It always flies on post, sometimes in our front yards, and may well be what covers our hero’s casket at the end of life. To respect our flag and what it stands for, it’s important to know some of the background and etiquette that is expected of us.
Thank-You Notes and Beyond
How many of you have had such great intentions after leaving dinner at a commander’s home, or after a friend sent you flowers when you were ill, to send that person a thank-you note? I am fairly confident we have all been there! Protocol books, like The Army Spouse Handbook (pages 115-120), all suggest to do so in a timely fashion, within a few days. I know for me, sometimes it was weeks later, and I began to really stress about my lack of getting it into the mailbox!
Dress for the Occasion
One of our BLUFs (Bottom Line Upfront) in The Army Spouse Handbook states, “Understanding the difference in dress terms can help you be the belle of the ball instead of wearing bell-bottoms to the ball.” Complementing a service member’s uniform is a good guide; e.g. Blue Evening Mess to a Ball would indicate that a female spouse should wear a formal-to-the-floor gown or dressy cocktail dress, while a male spouse should choose a tuxedo or dark dinner jacket. However, how can we tell what to wear to a “dressy business” or “dressy casual” event? They are almost oxymorons.
Could have used this back in the day!