Ft. Drum clarifies PDA rules

FORT DRUM — Fort Drum’s deputy inspector general has clarified rules about public displays of affection.

The clarification from Lt. Col. Graham Stone published in the Mountaineer said the reminder was necessary after members of the Inspector General section saw several soldiers breaking the rules.

The clarification follows up written guidance released by the Department of the Army in September that forbade public displays of affection by soldiers in uniform or in civilian clothes while on duty.

While the PDA rules are not a punitive regulation, soldiers disobeying orders from an officer or noncommissioned officer to comply with the rules could face sanction under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Examples of prohibited PDA given in the notification include a uniformed soldier holding hands with, kissing or hugging his or her partner while walking through a public facility.

The rules allowed for a soldier and his or her partner to share a hug or a modest kiss at events, such as a welcome-home or promotion ceremony.