MILITARY CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES

**Introduction**

This lesson will cover military customs and courtesies and how they
apply to you. The following areas will be covered: saluting in many
different situations, respect to the flag, pledge of allegiance, grade
insignias, proper titles, titles of address, and basic drill movements.
There will be short video clips and/or sound bytes to correspond with
each area so make use of them.

A custom is a social convention stemming from tradition and enforced as
an unwritten law. A courtesy is a kind, polite, considerate behavior
often linked to a custom. A military courtesy is such behavior extended
to a person or thing that honors them is some way. For example, the
position of honor has always been to the right. This originated from the
medieval swordsmen who always wore their weapons on the left side and
drew them to their right. The strongest and most experienced warriors
were given the place of honor to allow them easy access to their
weapons. Additionally, this practice has carried over to today in
relation to saluting.

To allow ease of saluting, the senior person walks on the right. Most
military customs and courtesies evolve from long-standing practices or
have some historical significance. For example, the U.S. flag is folded
in a triangular shape to represent the tri-corner hat of early American
patriots. The lowering of the flag to half-staff comes from the naval
custom of lowering sails upon the death of a crewmember to indicate that
things were not \"ship-shape.\"

NOTE: CAP military style uniforms include Service Dress, long and short
sleeve blue shirt combinations, BDU, and Flight Suit for which military
customs and courtesies apply. The CAP blazer is considered civilian
attire and all customs and courtesies observed while wearing this blazer
should follow civilian attire procedures.

###### Saluting

As with other customs and courtesies, saluting has evolved from history.
The ancient knights used the gesture of raising the face visor on their
helmets as a greeting. This move signified friendship and confidence as
it removed the sword hand from the weapon and provided vulnerability in
the suit of armor.

The salute is a respectful greeting exchanged between members of the
same profession. It\'s an everyday courtesy based on mutual respect and
is one of the traditions that binds military personnel together.

**General Rules For Saluting**

Salutes are rendered as a courtesy and are [required]{.underline}
between those officers junior and those senior in rank. If individuals
are equal in rank, salutes [may]{.underline} be exchanged. There are no
set rules regarding how close or how far away a junior must be in order
to render a salute. When a junior [recognizes]{.underline} a senior, the
junior will initiate a salute. There will usually be a verbal greeting
exchanged by both members and the senior member will return the salute.
This action occurs very quickly, usually within a distance of six paces.

You\'re not expected to initiate or to return a salute if it\'s
impractical or dangerous to do so. The salute is intended to be a
dignified military greeting, not a test of manual dexterity. Therefore,
you aren\'t required to give a salute when encumbered (that is, when
both hands are full), but you should make a verbal greeting. While CAP
members are required to salute military officers of higher rank,
military members are **not** required to salute CAP members, although it
is often done as a courtesy.

**Staff Cars**

At all bases, military members (as pedestrians) are required to salute
staff cars when there\'s an occupant inside the car (there\'s no need to
salute an unoccupied staff car.) As a rule, staff cars are painted Air
Force blue and marked with an eagle (indicating the rank of colonel) or
one or more stars (indicating the rank of a general officer) on a
placard on the vehicle\'s front bumper.

**Ruffles and Flourishes**

A song known as \"Ruffles and Flourishes\" is played to honor certain
individuals and consists of a drum roll (ruffle) and a trumpet fanfare
(flourish). Commissioned officers in the grade of brigadier general
receive one ruffle and flourish, major generals rate two, lieutenant
generals rate three, and four-star generals rate four. Also rating four
on certain occasions are such distinguished civilians as the President,
the Chief Justice, Cabinet members, Heads of State of foreign countries,
etc. Four ruffles and flourishes are the maximum played.

**Indoors.** Upon hearing \"Ruffles and Flourishes\" indoors, if you\'re
in uniform or civilian clothes, come to attention, face the individual
being honored, and remain at attention until the last note of the music
has been played.

**Outdoors.** Upon hearing \"Ruffles and Flourishes\" outdoors, while in
uniform, come to attention, face the individual being honored, and
present arms, remaining at attention until the last note of the music
has been played.

CAP personnel in civilian clothes face the individual being honored and
stand at attention.

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# Air Force Song

**Indoors.** In uniform or civilian clothes, stand at attention and
participate if possible. Traditionally only the first verse of the Air
Force song is played or sung. If at an official ceremony the words for
the first verse will be printed in the program when it is a part of the
ceremony.

**Outdoors.** In uniform or civilian clothes, stand at attention or
march at the position of attention from the first to last note of the
music. Do not salute. The same courtesy is rendered to sister service
songs.

**Saluting Indoors**

**Reporting.** Salutes are exchanged indoors only when a junior-ranking
member formally reports to a senior officer. Initiate the procedure by
knocking on the door and obtaining acknowledgment from the senior. Then
proceed in a military manner until you\'re about two paces from the
senior or the senior\'s desk. Stop, salute, and report. When the
conversation has ended, come to attention, report out, salute, and
depart by the most direct route in a military manner.

If you\'re in frequent working contact with a senior, the senior may
waive the saluting requirement or may require a salute only the first
time you enter his/her office each day. You\'ll still be expected to
salute when reporting to other senior officers.

**Respect to the Flag and National Anthem**

**Outdoors**

**Saluting the U.S. Flag**. When you\'re in uniform and an uncased flag
passes by in a parade, or any ceremony, you salute when the flag comes
within six paces of you and hold the salute until the flag passes six
paces beyond you. If in formation, follow the verbal commands of your
flight or squadron commander.

If in civilian clothes under similar circumstances, come to attention,
remove your hat (if you\'re wearing one), and place your right hand over
your heart when the flag is six paces before you; hold until the flag is
six paces past you.

On Air Force installations, flags on stationary staffs are saluted at
reveille, retreat and on special occasions. Except at these times, the
flag shouldn\'t be saluted while on a stationary staff.

**Retreat Ceremony.** On Air Force installations, the flag is lowered at
the end of each day in a ceremony called "Retreat." Usually, the bugle
call \"Retreat\" is sounded and is followed by the playing of the
National Anthem or \"To the Colors.\" If you\'re outside, you must stop
what you\'re doing and face the flag (if visible) or the music. During
the sounding of \"Retreat\" you stand at parade rest, then, if in
uniform, come to attention and salute during the playing of the National
Anthem or \"To the Colors.\" If in civilian clothes, come to attention,
remove your hat (if your wearing one), and place your right hand over
your heart when the National Anthem begins to play.

If you\'re driving a vehicle and see a flag ceremony or hear the music,
stop and sit at attention until the music ends; your passengers also
remain silent.

**The National Anthem**. If you\'re outdoors, at an athletic event or
other function, and in uniform when the National Anthem is played, face
the flag (if visible), salute, and hold the salute until the music is
finished. If the flag isn\'t visible, face the music and salute.

If you\'re in civilian dress, stand at attention, remove your hat with
your right hand, hold it over the left side of your chest with your
right hand over your heart. If you\'re not wearing a hat, place your
right hand over your heart. In either case, stay in that position until
the music stops.

**Indoors**

Military personnel don\'t salute the national flag during indoor
ceremonies when in uniform. When the National Anthem or \"To The
Colors\" is played, personnel in civilian or military attire will [stand
at attention]{.underline} facing the flag (or the source of music if the
flag isn\'t visible). When in civilian attire, come to attention, and
place your right hand over your heart.

There\'s no requirement to come to attention when the National Anthem is
played on the radio or television (such as before a sporting event or
station sign-off).

At base movie theaters, the National Anthem is played prior to the start
of the film. You should rise, stand at attention, and, if in civilian
clothes, place your right hand over your heart.

## Place of Honor for the Flag

When displayed on U.S. territory, the U.S. flag is accorded the place of
honor. As an example, when carried with an organization flag, the U.S.
flag is carried to the right of the line of march. Although the
organizational flag may be dipped in salute to the reviewing officer at
a parade, the national flag is [never]{.underline} dipped in salute.

###### Pledge of Allegiance

In military formations and ceremonies, the Pledge of Allegiance won\'t
be recited. However, when the pledge is recited at protocol functions,
social events, and sporting events which include civilians, you should:

When in [uniform]{.underline} (indoors or outdoors), stand at attention,
face the flag and remain silent, but you don\'t salute. However, if the
participants are primarily civilians or in civilian clothes, you may
recite the Pledge of Allegiance if you wish.

When in [civilian clothes]{.underline} (indoors or outdoors), stand at
attention, face the flag, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance while
holding your right hand over your heart. (Men should remove their
headdress with their right hand and place their right hand, while
holding the headdress, over their heart.)

###### Grade Insignia, Proper Titles, and Titles of Address

All military personnel are addressed properly by their grade or title.
Airman First Class Jones is correctly addressed as \"Airman Jones.\"
Master Sergeant Smith may be called "Master Sergeant Smith" or
\"Sergeant Smith,\" but should never be addressed \"Hey, Sarge.\" Chief
Master Sergeant Clifford will be called "Chief Clifford," never
"Sergeant Clifford."

Officers senior to you may be addressed by their rank and last name, or
as \"Sir\" or \"Ma\'am.\" To officers junior to you, use their rank or
rank and last name. Rank has no sex and one of the most glaring blunders
is to assume a ranking officer is a \"he.\" A lieutenant is addressed
officially as \"Lieutenant.\" A Lieutenant Colonel is addressed as
"Colonel."

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####### Basic Drill Movements

**Note: Each of these drill movements has two parts: the preparatory
command and the actual command.**

1\. ATTENTION

a\. On hearing the command "Flight", assume Parade Rest.

\(1\) Raise the left leg from the hip just enough for the foot to clear
the ground.

\(2\) Keeping legs straight but not stiff, smartly move left foot to the
left and place it down 22½° off center line of the body. Heels are
approx. 12\" apart measured inside the heels and on line.

\(3\) Simultaneously, bring your hands to the back of the body,
uncupping them in the process.

\(a\) Extend and join your fingers pointing them toward the ground;
palms out.

\(b\) Place the back of right hand into palm of the left hand and with
right thumb over left so thumbs form an \"X\", pointing down.

\(4\) Keep arms fully extended.

\(5\) Keep your head and eyes forward, maintaining silence and
immobility.

b\. On "Attention"; actual words are "Tench Hut":

\(1\) Smartly bring the left heel together with the right heel so heels
are on line and feet form a 45º angle.

\(2\) Simultaneously, bring hands to the sides, cupping hands in the
process.

\(a\) Cup hands so thumbs rest along the first joint of the forefinger
with palms facing the legs.

\(b\) Place thumbs along seam of the trousers.

\(c\) Arms hang straight alongside the body with wrists straight with
forearm.

\(3\) Body is erect with hips level, chest lifted, back arched,
shoulders square and even.

\(4\) Legs are straight, knees unlocked.

\(5\) Eyes are straight forward.

(6) Maintain silence and immobility.

2\. PARADE REST

a\. On "Parade", mentally prepare yourself.

b\. On "Rest":

\(1\) Raise the left leg from the hip just enough for the foot to clear
the ground.

\(2\) Keeping legs straight but not stiff, smartly move left foot to the
left and place it down 22½° off center line of the body. Heels are
approx. 12\" apart measured inside the heels and on line.

\(3\) Simultaneously, bring hands to the back of the body, uncupping
them in the process.

\(a\) Extend and join your fingers pointing them toward the ground;
palms out.

\(b\) Place the back of right hand into palm of the left hand and with
right thumb over left so thumbs form an \"X\", pointing down.

\(4\) Keep arms fully extended.

\(5\) Keep head and eyes forward, maintaining silence and immobility
until given "Flight Attention"

3\. AT EASE

Must be at Attention before going to At Ease.

On "At Ease", you must conform to the following minimum requirements:
keep your right foot in position and refrain from talking. You may move
around as appropriate (e.g., adjust your hat, stretch, wipe your brow)
but keep in mind the constant need to act like a professional.

4\. AT REST

a\. Must be at Attention before going to At Rest.

b\. Upon given "At Rest", you may act in accordance with AT EASE as well
as talk. This command is intended to allow members of a formation to
relax even more than AT EASE. However, you must maintain your relative
position in the formation.

5\. PRESENT ARMS

a\. On "Present", mentally prepare yourself.

b\. On "Arms", bring right hand smartly up the front and centerline of
the body, uncupping the hand as it passes the waist.

\(1\) Extend and join fingers placing thumb along forefinger; keep palm
flat, forming a straight line between the fingertips and elbow.

\(2\) Tilting palm slightly toward your face, hold upper arm horizontal
and slightly forward.

\(3\) Ensure the tip of middle finger touches one of the following
contact points:

\(a\) Right front corner of billed cap.

\(b\) Outside corner of right front of eyeglasses (if worn) if wearing a
non-billed cap or no cap.

\(c\) Outside corner of right eyebrow if wearing a non-billed cap or no
cap.

\(4\) Remainder of the body remains at Attention.

\(5\) Hold position until given Order Arms.

6\. ORDER ARMS

a\. On "Order", mentally prepare yourself

b\. On "Arms", smartly lower hand, retracing path used to raise it.

c\. Cup hand as it passes the waist, returning hand to the side of the
body.

d\. Body is back at Attention.

**CONCLUSION**

Military customs and courtesies are an important part of our heritage
and daily activities. They are fundamental to how we interact with each
other and key to building pride and esprit de corps within the
profession of arms. They are a big part of what makes the military
special and must be followed at all times.