The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-11-01
ARMY COURTESY.

y
the habit of passing them with a cold
stare or discourteous nod.
These customary rules of good breed
ing apply in a slightly different form
in the army. There is the same rea-
son for them in the army as in civil
life. Courtesy helps to make the great
army machine run more smoothly. 1t
is the outward sign that the right re-
lations exist among officers and men.
These right relations should be CIV
en- expression both, within the military
camp and outside Courtesy among
military men is indispensable to dis
cipline; respect to superiors will not
be confined to obedience on duty, but
will be extended on all occasions"
(Army Regulations, paragraph ~ The
obligation to show proper courtesy is
binding upon officers just as well as
upon men. The commanding general
Of the army is required to be courte-
Gus to you, just as you are required to
be courteous to him.
Courtesy among military men is
shown by speaking and acting in re-
spectful manner. 1t is shown also by
using the correct form of recognition.
This correct form when meeting or adj
dressing commissioned officers is
known as the military salute.
"In the old days the free men OF
Europe were all allowed to carry weap-
ons, and when they met each would
hold up his right hand to show that
he had no weapon in it and that they
met as friends. Slaves or serfs, how
ever, were not allowed to carry weap-
ons, and skunk past the free men with
out making any sign. In this way the
salute came to be the symbol or sign
by which soldiers Gree men) might
recognize each other. The lower
classes began to initiate the soldiers
in this respect, although in clumsy,
apologize way, and thence crept into
civil life the custom of raising the
hand or nodding as one passed an ac-
quaintance. The soldiers, however,
kept their individual salute, and pur-
pOsely make it intricate and difficult to
learn, in order that 1t could be ac-
quired only by the constant training
which all real soldiers receive.
To this day armies have preserved
their salute, and when correctly done
it is at once recognized and never
mistaken for that of a civilian. All
soldiers should be careful to execute
the salute exactly as prescribed. The
civilian or the imitation soldier who
4x.io ~ 10 10 milf 10 70
variably makes some mistake which
shows he is not real soldier; he
gives it in an apologize manner, he
fails to stand or march at attention,
his coat is unbuttoned or hat on awry,
or he fails to look the person saluted
in the eye. There is wide difference
in the method of rendering. and mean
ing between the civilian salute as
used by friendk in passing, or by serv-
ants to their employers, and the mill
tary salute, the symbol and sign of the
military profession" (Manual for
Noncommissioned officers and Pri-
Yates, section g.
In order to give the salute properly
when you are without arms, first as
sumo the position Of soldier Gas de-
scribed in a preceding lesson), or II
you are walking carry yourself at at
tention. Look the officer you are to
salute straight in the eye. When he
is few PAGES away from you ''raise
the right hand smartly till the top OF
the forefinger touches the lower part
of the head dress or forehead above
the right eye, thumb and fingers ex-
tended and joined, palm to the left,
forearm inclined at about 45 degrees,
hand and wrist straight. Continue to
look the officer you are saluting
straight In the eye and keep your hand
in the position of salute until the off,
Ger acknowledges the salute or until
he has passed. Then drop the hand
smartly to the side. The salute Is CIV
en- with the right hand only" manu-
al for Noncommissioned Officers and
Privates, section 6.) 1t will be well
for you to practice this movement be-
fore the looking-glass and be prepared
to execute 1t properly as soon as you
get into uniform.
You will learn the rifle salute after
you have reached the training camp.
In general, 1t is used whenever you
are carrying q rifle, except when on
guard duty, In which case you ordi-
narily present arms instead of salut-
ing.
The exact conditions under which
the salutes are given need not be re-
peated in detail here. 1t is enough for
the present to learn you are to salute
oil commissioned officers (not merely
those of your own company or regi-
men or those with whom you are &C
uuainted), except when you are IN
a military formation or when you are
at drill, work, games or mess. When
in formation, you do not salute or
come to the position of attention I'M
less an officer speaks to you.
Never forget that it is not only re-
quired OF you as duty. but is also
your right and privilege, to saluee all
commissioned officers and to have your
courtesy returned. This statement as
sumes, of course. that you are in good
standing as q soldier. A military pris-
oner is not permitted to salute.
1t is the custom of the army in
speaking to an officer to stand at at
tention and use the word sir"
s.When an officer enters room
where there are several enlisted men,
the word attention" Is given by some
one who perceives him, when all rise,
uncover and remain standing at atten-