The most important consideration in planning should always be the comfort of one's guests. If this is accomplished, an event is truly successful. In the Government, the Military and Diplomatic Corps, precedence among individuals' positions plays a substantial role. Official position in the United States Government is determined by election or appointment to office, or by promotion within the military structure. The relative importance of different positions is weighed, and even the date of the position's establishment is frequently considered.
Military rank constitutes a clear basis for determining seniority among military personnel.
Comparable rank and the date of its attainment will decide the precedence among officers from the different smites, both United States and foreign. By custom, reserve officers are ranked with, but after active duty officers of that same grade. Retired officers are ranked similarly with their precedence following reserve officers of the same grade. Diplomatic precedence is the result of international agreement. The precedence of chiefs of missions rests upon the length of their service in that country.