First time....getting Marilyned.

[Mark Stephenson]

You did exactly the right thing to keep your cool -particularly with the 1st Sgt their. The 1st Sgt's presence makes the behavior in question his/her problem, not yours. I also think you did the right thing to vent with the rabble as a healthy way of getting it off of your chest.

Stay safe, my friend.
- Mark (USAF, Ret)

[TheSp8]

What in the world is the 36 inch rule?

Jake,

Lancer1562 got it. Considering the responses I've gotten from folks from other parts of the country I'd always thought it was more of a Southern thing. Given that in the Army there are people constantly inside that range, the same with big cities, I generally revise it to refer to people either intentionally getting inside that space or actually laying hands on me. Of course, people in your unit generally get a bit more leeway.

YMOS,
Tony

[Dale Seago]

Jake,

The 36 inch rule defines one's personal space. If someone approaches you closer than three feet, they have violated your personal space and the 36 inch rule. I generally allow one arm's length plus six inches for personal space, any closer than that is too close.

I never heard it expressed quite that way; however. . .

The way I teach my martial-art students is that your "ideal distance" is one where another person cannot reach out and touch you with a limb alone, but must move his "center of mass" to do so, if only an inch or two. It's much easier to see movement originating there, and at that distance.

Someone closer may or may not be intentionally invading your space; but I teach that if someone is within that distance (sometimes it's not reasonably avoidable) you should be touching them, however lightly/unobtrusively, as within that range you can feel and "read" another's movement tactilely more quickly than you can read/respond to visual input.

It has nothing to do with being paranoid or considering another person as a potential attacker. It's equally, if not more, about being able to effectively move to control their balance and body should they inadvertently stumble and fall into you, or be about to hurt themselves.

As it happens, that "ideal range" I first mentioned happens to be around 36 inches.

[Galician]

I had it done to me on the street by a young woman who just happened to be passing by. I don't say, get used to it. It is definitely a situation of a) a double standard and b) what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[Bill aka Mole]

In front of the 1SG may not have been a set up, but then again... Besides, it sounds like you know your, um, flipper. Since it sounds like you may be out of an extremely imminent danger area, there would be payback. Something mild but equal to the task, like, sand in his socks just before revielle.

[flyingshamrock]

I actually had an intoxicated women descend on her knee's, placed her head underneath my kilt and had someone snap a quick picture of her adventure. The young male photographer thought it was funny until the woman pulled her head out from under paradise and revealed her face. He didn't care for his MOM'S inappropiate actions. It's usually only the drunk ones that I have a problem with.

[Dale Seago]

Well, probably better his mom than his daughter. . .

[flyingshamrock]

Well, probably better his mom than his daughter. . .

I agree! His mother wasn't too shaby though.