FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A new policy is currently being considered by the Department of Defense that would assign rank to spouses of military members.

The controversial measure announced yesterday is meant to address disputes and complaints. Problems would be handled between spouses instead of a dependents' chain of command.

With a system of rank would also come legal doctrine — The Civilian Code of Spousal Justice — to mirror the military's existing Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The policy discussion comes after a high-profile incident in which a Marine wife was not saluted as she entered her husband's base, as well as a series of surveys conducted throughout the military to determine major issues plaguing the force. Many commanders described frustrating encounters with military spouses on "an almost daily basis."