Military Traditions and Customs I Learned as a Newbie Army Wife

The military has certain customs and traditions that I never knew of as a soldier’s girlfriend until I became an army wife. Though I probably won’t be considered “new” anymore since I have hit almost a decade and a half as an army wife, but today, I’m sharing some of the things I learned as a newbie army wife.

Right after we got married, I moved in with my husband who was stationed in Kaduna at the time. I had only been to a military installation once before then and had no idea barracks were so big. I never knew they have places for “living” not just working. Moving to a military base and spending time there made me learn so much about military life.

Here are some of the things I learned as a newbie army wife.

 Barracks are mini towns

I learned that most military bases are like their own mini towns. They have everything you could need from a gas station, grocery store, restaurants, bars, spa, gym, market, schools to hospital.

When my husband took me on a tour of a certain barracks after I moved to Kaduna, I was shocked to see they had their own golf course and gas station.

Remember the days of fuel scarcity?

I just drive in and buy petrol without any hurdles…How cool is that?

Uniforms and Kits

I had no idea how many army kits and uniforms my husband has in his possession. Honestly, I never knew they had several uniforms. I thought it was just the regular green and camouflage.

OH MY, they have different uniforms referred to as numbers. I also thought he’d just have his uniforms and everything else would be kept at work, but that is not the case. We basically have a room set aside to hold all his uniforms and kits.

Mascots

First, I realized the unit where my soldier was stationed has a mascot. On inquiry, I got to find out all other units have too.

Mascots are mostly animals that are chosen as symbols of a regiment which is assumed to bring good luck. These mascots are approved by the military and service numbers allotted to them for payment of personal emoluments. The salary paid to the mascots is meant for their upkeep and maintenance.

Bugle Calls

Bugle calls are timed sounding of the bugle that signifies specific activities. Some of the common bugle calls I learned as a newbie army wife are, the First Call, Reveille and Retreat.

• First Call

First Call is the first bugle call of the day, given as a warning that reveille is to take place within a few minutes.

• Reveille

Reveille signifies the beginning of the day’s activities in a military barracks. In the army, if you are still in bed when Reveille is sounded, then you are late. It is usually sounded in the early hours of the morning at exactly 0600 hours. The National Flag will be hoisted while the bugle is sounded.

All ranks within 300 meters are to halt and face the direction of the flag while officers and warrant officers in uniform are to salute. This tradition is important in a military barracks’ daily routine as it instills time consciousness in the officers and soldiers.

• Retreat

The retreat is sounded at sunset at exactly 1800 hours. At the sounding of the bugle, the National Flag is lowered. Similarly, all troops within 300 meters are expected to halt and face the direction of the flag while officers and warrant officers in uniform are to salute.

At these times, if you are outside and you are a civilian, you are expected to stop whatever you are doing and face the direction of the flag. Cars are expected to pull over to the side of the road at these times as well. This is done to show respect to our country and the men and women who serve every day.

I had no clue this was done until I was with my husband one day and everyone stood still at the sound of the retreat. I was so confused and it looked so strange but, l expect it now and have gotten used to the sounds of “Reveille and Retreat” every morning and evening.

However, I have also realized that most people try to beat the clock to avoid “bugle calls”. It’s either they try to make it earlier or after the bugle call. At about that time, if you’re outside you’ll hear comments like “I no wan make this thing catch me”(Pidgin)…HILARIOUS but Is it Right?

Ceremonies

There are a lot of formal ceremonies performed on important social and religious occasions in the military. Such as:

• Wedding Ceremonies

Wedding ceremonies are conducted for officers and soldiers on their wedding day. It is the custom of the officers to cross a sword for an officer during a wedding ceremony. During this ceremony, a sword is presented to the officer on behalf of the President, C in C as a symbol to commemorate the wedding and for the personal protection of the officer’s wife.

• Promotion Decoration Ceremony

A promotion decoration ceremony is performed to decorate a newly promoted officer or soldier with his new rank. During such ceremonies, citation and authority for the promotion may be read then the officer’s spouse is often called upon to assist the Commander with the decoration.

It is usually carried out in the Mess, the Conference Room, or any other suitable venue with officers, soldiers, and well-wishers in attendance.

• Birth of a Child

When a child is born to the family of an officer or soldier, the commanding officer is to send a letter of congratulation to the parents on behalf of the formation or unit.

• West African Social Activity (WASA)

WASA is usually carried out yearly as a means of bringing the families of officers and soldiers together to celebrate the end of the year and to usher in the activities of the New Year.

It’s always a fun event. You’ll get to see several cultural activities. I once witnessed a test of strength (tug-of-war) sport by soldiers’ wives and the female soldiers.

Guess the group that won?

THE SOLDIERS’ WIVES!!

Have you ever heard the phrase “Army Wife Strong?”

Believe me, friends, they are!

The Magajiya

The word “Magajiya” is a Hausa word meaning “Women Leader“. They serve as links to the Commanding Officer through the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). They mobilize soldiers’ wives to ensure harmony and cleanliness in the barracks

These are just a few of the things I learned as a new army wife.

I believe some of these traditions not only make the military to be what it is but also instill in its members that sense of belonging to something special.

May God bless the men and women in uniform.