.
Military courtesy is basically no different from courtesy in civilian life, just good manner and politeness in dealing with other people. The experience of life has proven that courteous behavior is essential in human relations. The distinction between civilian courtesy and military courtesy is that, military courtesies were developed in a military atmosphere and have become customs and traditions of the service.
Most forms of military courtesy have some counterpart in civilian life. For example, you are required to say "Sir" when you talk to an officer. Throughout our history, young men and women were taught to say "Sir" to their fathers and other male elders. This tradition is still carried on and it is considered good manners for a younger man to say "Sir" when speaking to an older man. The use of the word "Sir" is also common in the business world, in the address of letters, and in any well-ordered institution.
Military courtesy is not a one-way street. Enlisted personnel must be courteous to officers, and officers are expected to return the courtesy. Officers respect soldiers as individuals, just as you respect officers as individuals. Without this basis of mutual respect, there can be no military courtesy, and disharmony will result.
In the final analysis, military courtesy is the respect shown to each other by members of the same profession. It is not only a form of respect for the nation, it is to defend the nation. Enlisted personnel show military courtesy to their officers because they respect the position of responsibility held by the officer. Officers, on the other hand, respect their personnel because they know the responsibility the personnel have in carrying out orders.
COURTESIES TO INDIVIDUALS
All military personnel are customarily addressed as follows:
The term of respect "Sir" is used when speaking to officers and civilian officials. Each sentence or statement should be either preceded or terminated with the word "Sir", but should not be used both before and after the statement. When speaking with a female officer, the term "Ma'am" instead of "Sir" is used. When you answer a telephone on a military installation, you always assume that the caller is an officer and respond accordingly. Some units have mottos that the prescribe for answering the telephone, but the normal procedures is to identify the units and yourself, and end with "Sir." Giving the company and battalion is usually sufficient to identify the unit.
Conversations by seniors carried on in the presence of troops or information & directions to troops should be formal and proper titles should be used. Juniors address seniors by his or her proper title at all times.
You should know, as part of military courtesy, to always walk and sit to the left of your seniors. This is another custom with a long past. Men fought for centuries with swords, and, because most men were right handed, the heaviest fighting occurred on the right. The shield was carried on the left arm, and the left side became defensive. Men and units that fought were proud of their fighting ability, and considered the right of a battle line to be a post or honor. When an officer of senior enlisted soldier walks on your right, he/she is symbolically filling the post of honor. You should walk on your senior's left, and stop when he/she does.
Officers and enlisted personnel under arms uncover only when in attendance at a court or board (Prisoner guards do not uncover), entering places of divine worship, indoors when not at a place of duty, or in attendance at an official reception. When unarmed, the cap of all personnel is removed indoors. When out of doors, the cap is never removed or raised as a form of salutation.
The following rules will help you conduct yourself appropriately in the presence of officers and anyone senior to you in rank:
-When talking to an officer, stand at attention unless given the order "At ease." When you are dismissed, or when the officer departs, come to attention and salute.
-When an officer enters a room, the first soldier to recognize the officer calls personnel in the room to attention but does not salute. A salute indoors is rendered only when one is reporting.
-When accompanying a senior, walk on his left.
-When entering or exiting a vehicle, the junior ranking person is the first to enter, and the senior in rank is the first to exit.
-When an officer enters a dining facility, unless he directs otherwise or unless a more senior officer is already present, the diners will be given the order "At ease" by the first person who sees the officer. You will remain seated at ease and will continue eating unless the officer directs otherwise. If you are directly addressed, you should rise to attention if seated in a chair. If seated on a bench stop eating and sit at attention until the conversation has ended.
-When an officer or noncommissioned officer enters a crowded hallway or similar area where troops are taking a break or standing in a waiting line, the first person to see the officer or noncommissioned officer should call "At ease" and "Make way" so those present will move to the sides of the hallway and allow passage.
NOTE: The officer or NCO may give the directive "Carry on." This means the soldier or soldiers would continue with whatever they were doing previously. This same directive may be used in many other situations outside of formation, such as in the barracks and break areas.
-When outdoors and approached by an NCO, you should stand (if seated) and greet the NCO by saying, "Good morning, sergeant," "Good afternoon, sergeant," or "Good evening, sergeant (last name, if known)."
-When you report to an officer for any reason, it is important to make a good first impression. If you are outdoors, approach the officer to whom you are reporting and stop approximately two steps from him, assuming the position of attention. Give the proper salute and say, for example, "Sir/Ma'am, Private Smith reports." If you are indoors, use the same procedures as above, except remove your headgear before reporting. If you are armed, however, do not remove your headgear.
ACTIONS WHEN AN OFFICER ENTERS A FACILITY OR VEHICLE
When an officer enters a room, stand at attention until the officer directs otherwise or until he/she leaves. When more than one person is present the first to see the officer commands, Attention and the senior person reports. When a noncommissioned officer enters a barracks, if he/she has information or instruction for personnel living in the barracks, he/she will call "at ease", loud enough for all those present to hear.
When an officer enters a place used as an office,workshop, or place of recreation, personnel engaged in an activity there do not come to attention unless the officer speaks to them. A junior comes to attention when addressed by a senior, except in the transaction of routine business between individuals at work.
When an officer enters a mess unless that officer directs otherwise, or unless a more senior officer is already present in the mess, the mess will be called to "at ease" by the first person who sees the officer. The person in charge reports to the officer. The personnel remain seated at ease and continue eating unless the officer directs otherwise. An individual directly addressed should rise to attention unless seated on a bench instead of a chair, in which case he stops eating and sits at attention until the conversation is ended.
When an officer or noncommissioned officer enters a crowded hallway or similar area where troops are taking a break or standing in a waiting line, the first person to see the officer or noncommissioned officer should call, "at ease", and "make way", so those present will move to the sides of the hallway and allow passage.
On entering a vehicle, the junior enters first and others follow in inverse order of rank. In leaving a vehicle, the senior leaves first and others follow in order of rank.
When a commanding officer enters an office for the first time each day, "attention" will be called by the first person noticing the officer. If a higher commander enters, "attention" is called again.
REPORTING TO AN OFFICER
When a soldier has requested and obtained permission to speak to an officer officially, or when the soldier has been notified that an officer wishes to speak with him/her, the soldier report to the officer. The form of the report may vary according to the local policy, but the recommended form is "Sir/Ma'am", Private Smith reports.
When reporting to an officer in his/her office, the soldier removes his/her headgear, knocks, and enters when told to do so. He/she approaches within two steps of the officer's desk, halts, and salutes. The salute is held until the report is completed and the salute has been returned by the officer. When the business is completed, the soldier salutes, holds the salute until it has been returned, executes the appropriate facing movement and departs. When reporting indoors under arms, the procedure is the same except that the headgear is not removed and the soldier renders the salute prescribed for the weapon with which he/she is armed.
The expression "under arms" means carrying the arms, or having them attached to the person by sling, holster, or other means. In the absence of the actual arms, it refers to the equipment pertaining to the arms, such as pistol belt or pistol holster.
When reporting outdoors, the soldier will move rapidly to the vicinity of the officer, halt at a distance of approximately three steps from the officer, salute, and report as described above. If under arms, the weapon may be carried in any manner for which a salute is prescribed.
HONOR TO THE "NATIONAL ANTHEM"
"TO THE COLORS", OR "HAIL TO THE CHIEF"
(Outdoors)
Whenever and wherever the "National Anthem", "To the Colors", "Hail to the Chief", or "Reveille" are played, at the first note, all dismounted personnel in uniform and not in formation face the flag or the music (if the flag is not in view), stand at Attention and renders a hand salute.
When not in uniform, personnel will, at the first note, stand at attention facing the flag or the music (if the flag is not in view), remove headdress, if any, with the right hand, and place the right hand over the heart.
Vehicles in motion will be brought to a halt. Persons riding in a passenger car or on a motorcycle will dismount and salute. Occupants of other types of military vehicles and buses remain seated at attention in the vehicle, the individual in charge of each vehicle dismounting and rendering the hand salute. Tank and armored car commanders salute from the vehicle.
The above marks of respect are shown the national anthem of any friendly country when it is played at official occasions.
(Indoors)
When the "National Anthem" is played indoors, officers and enlisted personnel stand at "Attention" and face the music, or the flag if one is present. They do not salute unless under arms.
RETREAT
The bugle call sounded at retreat was first used in the French Army and dates back to the crusades. When you hear it, you are listening to a beautiful melody that has come to symbolize the finest qualities of the soldiers of nearly 900 years. Retreat has always been at sunset and its purpose was to notify the sentries to start challenging until sunrise, and to tell the rank and file to go to their quarters and stay there. In our times the ceremony remains as a tradition. When you are outdoors and hear retreat played, you face toward the flag if you can see it and stand at parade rest. If the flag is not within sight. then face toward the music.
Retreat is followed by the playing of To the Colors.
-If in uniform, you stand at "attention" and execute the hand salute, present arms, or hand salute at sling arms, whichever is appropriate.
-If in civilian attire with headgear, at the first note of music, face the flag (or music if flag is not in view), stand at attention, remove headgear with right hand and hold over left shoulder with right hand over the heart.
-If in civilian attire without headgear, face the flag (or music if flag is not in view) and stand at attention with right hand over the heart. Hold this position until the last note of music has been played.
-When in a vehicle you should stop, dismount, and render the appropriate honor.
THE ARMY SONG
The U.S. Army is the only one of the services which has adopted its own official marching song. It was adapted from the music of "The Caisson Song", written about 1908. The official Army song was formally dedicated by the Secretary of the Army on Veterans Day, 11 November 1956.
In addition to standing while the national anthem is played, audiences render honors while state songs, school songs, and other symbolic songs are being played. Accordingly, Army personnel will stand at "attention" whenever the official Army song is played.
SALUTE TO COLORS
National and organizational flags, which are mounted on short flag staff (pikes) equipped with spearheads, are called colors. Military personnel in uniform passing an uncased national color salute at six steps distance and hold salute until they have passed six steps beyond it. Similarly, when an uncased color passes by, they salute when it is six steps away and hold the salute until it has passed six steps beyond them.
If you are in civilian clothing and uncased Colors are passing by, if outdoors, stand at attention, remove headdress with right hand and hold over left shoulder with right hand over the heart. If you are indoors, stand at attention, hold this position until the Colors have passed six paces.
If you are in civilian clothing and you are passing the Colors outdoors, when within six paces, turn head in direction of the Colors, remove headgear with right hand and hold over left shoulder with right hand over your heart. Hold this position until you are six paces past the Colors.
NOTE: Small flags carried by individuals, such as those carried by civilian spectators at a parade, are not saluted.
SALUTING
The origin of the hand salute is uncertain. Some historians believe it began in late Roman times when assassinations were common. A citizen who wanted to see a public official had to approach with his right hand raised to show that he did not hold a weapon. Knights in armor raised visors with the right hand when meeting a comrade. This practice gradually became a way of showing respect and, in early American history, sometimes involved removing the hat. By 1820, the motion was modified to touching the hat, and since then it has become the hand salute used today.
.
1. What is meant by military courtesy?
Military courtesy is the respect and consideration shown to others.
2. What is considered the most important of all courtesies?
The Salute
3. When do you salute?
-When you hear the National Anthem, To the Colors, and Hail to the Chief
-When the National Colors or Standard passes by
-On ceremonial occasions
-In all official greetings
-At reveille, within sight of the flag or sound of the music
-During the rendering of Honors
-When passing by uncased colors out of doors
-When reporting to a board
-When reporting to an officer
-When Pledging Allegiance
4. What should you do when the National Anthem of a foreign country is played?
Come to attention and salute
5. When in formation or on detail, who salutes?
The person in charge
6. Who salutes in a group of soldiers not in formation or on detail?
The first person to see the officer approach should call attention and everyone should salute
7. At what distance do you normally salute an officer?
Normally within six (6) paces, but can be recognized distance and saluted
8. When do you salute inside a building?
When you are called to report, when rendering honors, or reporting for pay
9. When is a military member not required to salute?
When he is a prisoner
10. When riding in a military vehicle and the National Anthem or "To the Colors" is played, what action should be taken?
Stop the vehicle and the senior person in the vehicle should dismount and salute; the other personnel should remain in the vehicle seated in the position of attention
11. When walking with someone senior to you. which side should you walk on?
The junior should walk on the left side of the senior
12. How is a member of the armed service addressed when the rank is not known?
Soldier
13. Who enters a military vehicle first?
The junior member enters first and others follow order of rank; the driver enters last
14. Who leaves a military vehicle first?
The most senior member
15. When a person is running and encounters a situation where a salute is required, what should the individual do?
-Halt if the flag is involved and then salute
-Walk if an officer's presence requires rendering of honor
16. How many gun salutes is the Commander in Chief entitled to?
On arrival - 21; on departure - 21
17. How does a soldier report to the Commanding Officer or President of the Board?
-Remove headgear
-Knock
-Enter when told to do so
-Halt two paces in front of the person to whom report
-Salute (the salute is held as long as you are reporting or until the salute is returned)
-Address the president, state your rank and full name, and report
(Example: Sergeant Major, Sergeant Smith reports)
18. What was the original purpose of retreat?
Retreat has always been at sunset and its purpose was to notify sentries to start challenging until sunrise and to tell the rank and file to go to their quarters and stay there
19. What holiday is the National Flag displayed at half staff from reveille until noon?
Memorial Day: at 1200 hours the national salute (21 guns) will be fired and the flag hoisted to the top of the staff and will so remain until retreat
20. What ceremony takes place at 1200 hours on Independence Day?
A salute to the Union (50 guns will be fired)
21. What is the purpose of Unit or Organization Day?
That day is a holiday (unit's birthday); and the traditions of the outfit are kept in the spotlight all day
22. When is a salute considered obviously inappropriate?
When a person is carrying articles with both hands or being otherwise so occupied as to make saluting impractical
23. Do you salute when driving a vehicle?
No
24. Is an officer required to return a hand salute?
Yes. except when he is pay officer
25. What is the proper action when observing an approaching staff car displaying a plaque with stars?
Come to attention and render the hand salute until the salute is returned or the car passes
26. What do you do when in doubt of saluting?
Salute
27. In a military funeral procession, when should military personnel salute?
During the passing of the caisson or hearse bearing the remains
28. Does a unit resting along the road come to attention and salute an approaching officer?
No
29. What action is taken when the flag is lowered?
When the flag is lowered, all soldiers will assume the position of attention. If in military attire, they will render a hand salute. If in civilian attire, the hand is placed over the heart
30. If you are in a vehicle and see an officer. Who renders the hand salute?
If in a vehicle, the front right hand passenger will render a hand salute to an officer passing by
31. What does the guidon placed in front of the orderly room indicate?
The guidon placed in front of the orderly room indicates that the unit commander is in and designates the unit
32. What is the difference between military courtesy and customs of the service.
The difference between military courtesy and customs is that military courtesy are the Rules of Conduct required of military personnel either by regulation or tradition. Customs of the service are practices and procedures not prescribed by law or regulation, but by tradition and practice have become of a binding force
33. Who was the first military commander to lead troops under the flag of the United Nations?
General Douglas MacArthur
34. If you are in a room and an officer enters the room, what actions should you take?
If an officer enters the room while I am in the room, I would come to attention and give the greeting of the day
35. When retreat is sounded, what position is assumed?
When retreat is sounded, the position of attention is assumed
36. What actions do a person in charge of a formation take when Retreat and To The Colors are played?
The person in charge of a formation will first give the command to execute parade rest at the first note of "Retreat". At the last note of "Retreat" he will bring the formation to attention and at the first note of "To the Colors" he will give the command present arms followed by order arms on the last note of the music. The rendering of honors while in formation will be executed only after the completion of proper movements to face the formation in the direction of the flag or music if the flag is not visible
37. What action does a soldier take when reveille is played?
While in military uniform, the soldier not in formation at the first note of music, faces the flag (or the music if the flag is not in view) and renders a hand salute. The salute is ended on the last note of the music. While in civilian attire, the soldier, at the first note of music, faces the flag (or the music if the flag is not in view), stands at attention and holds his right hand over his heart. This position is held until the last note of music has been played.
38. What actions do soldiers take when participating in sports when retreat is played?
When retreat is played, soldiers participating in sports upon hearing the first note of music will face the flag or music, if the flag is not in sight, and stand at attention. Hold this position until the last note of music is played.
39. What is retreat?
Retreat is a ceremony in which the unit pays honors to the National Flag when it is lowered in the evening.
40. What is "To The Colors?"
"To The Colors" is the Old Cavalry Call "To the Standard", in use from about 1835
41. How does the hand salute differ when you are reporting or rendering courtesy and when in formation?
When reporting or rendering courtesy, the head and eyes are turned to the person addressed. When in formation, your head and eyes are directly to the front
42. Describe the hand salute.
The hand salute is executed on the command of execution of "arms". On the command of execution, raise the right hand to the headdress and with the tip of the forefinger, touch the rim of the visor slightly to the right of the eye. The fingers and thumb are extended and joined, palm down. The outer edge of the hand is barely slanted downward so that neither the palm nor the back of the hand is visible to the front. The upper arm is horizontal with the elbow inclined slightly forward and the hand and wrist are straight
43. Do you normally salute indoors?
No, you do not normally salute indoors
44. The Secretary of Defense receives how many gun salute?
The Secretary of Defense receives a 19 gun salute
45. Do you render a hand salute while double timing?
While double timing, you do not render a hand salute. You must come to a quick time before rendering a hand salute
46. How did the custom of saluting originate?
The custom of saluting originated in early Roman times when it was a way of showing that you had no weapons in your hands in medieval times knights lifted their visor on their suit of armor
47. Where did the custom of walking to the left of a superior originate?
The custom of walking to the left of a superior originated during the Middle Ages when a person carries his weapon in his right hand and was considered the right to be a part of honor; the person to his left protected the unguarded side
48. What are the terms of respect when speaking to male and female officers and civilian officials?
When addressing male and female officers and civilian officials, the terms sir and ma'am will be used
49. Why should you salute proudly?
You should salute proudly because it shows you have pride in yourself and your outfit and that you have confidence in your abilities as a soldier
50. When is it appropriate to salute a noncommissioned officer?
It is appropriate to salute a noncommissioned officer when you are a squad leader and giving your report to the platoon sergeant in a formation, or when you are a platoon sergeant giving your report to the first sergeant or the noncommissioned officer receiving the platoon reports in formation
51. Who is entitled to a salute?
Persons entitled to a salute are all commissioned officers and warrant officers, male and female. It is also customary to salute the officers of allied nations when you recognize them as such
52. When reporting. who salutes first, the person reporting or the person reported to?
When reporting, the person reporting is required to salute first
53. What is meant by under arms?
Under arms refers to the carrying of arms or having them attached to the person by slings or holsters
54. How is the salute rendered by sentries posted with a rifle?
The salute is rendered from the HALT and when armed with a rifle, PRESENT ARMS is rendered
55. Describe the actions of the individual in charge of a group of troops riding in a military vehicle when the National Anthem is played.
When riding in a military vehicle and the National Anthem is heard, the vehicle pulls over to the side. The individual in charge dismounts and renders the hand salute; persons in the vehicle will sit at the position of attention
56. Who salutes, when necessary, during a formation?
During a formation, the individual in charge salutes, when necessary
57. What is tatoo and when is it played?
Tatoo means lights out and quiet in the barracks and is played at 2100 hours
58. At 1200 hours on 4 July, a salute to the union is rendered in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. What does this salute consist of?
At 1200 hours on 4 July, a salute to the union is rendered in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence consisting of a gun salute with the amount of guns fired equal to the amount of states in the union
59. Why are the boots reversed in the stirrups of the riderless black horse in a military funeral procession?
The boots are reversed in the stirrups of the riderless black horse to denote that the honored deceased is a fallen warrior
60. Who wrote the "Star Spangled Banner"?
The "Star Spangled Banner" was written by an American POW, Francis Scott Key, of Baltimore, Maryland on 14 September 1814 during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry
61. How many volleys are fired over the grave at a military funeral and why?
Three volleys are fired over the grave at a military funeral. The custom dates back to old Roman customs of saying farewell three times to their dead soldiers
62. How does the individual report indoors with a rifle?
The individual knocks, does not uncover and enters when to do so carrying the rifle at trail or sling arms. He renders the salute prescribed for the weapon with which he is armed
63. When outdoors and you meet an officer, when should you salute?
Salute as soon as you recognize that he or she is an officer (when approximately six steps away)
64. When do you salute officers in vehicles?
Salute all officers (recognized by rank) in official vehicles identified by special plates or flags.
66. When and how are gun salutes fired?
Gun salutes are always fired in odd numbers. Some of the more common salutes are (AR 600-25):
GRADE, TITLE, OFFICE ARRIVAL DEPARTURE
Presidents 21 21
Ex-Presidents 21
Head of State, Foreign Country 21
Vice President 19
Prime Minister 19
Secretary of Defense 19 19
Secretary of the Army 19 19
Generals 17 17
LT Generals 15
MAJ Generals 13
Brig. Generals 11
66. When do you salute in formation?
Salute only on command when in formation
67. What actions should be taken when in a group and an officer approaches?
If in a group and an officer approaches, the first soldier to recognize the officer calls the group to attention and all personnel salute
68. What should you do when approaching an officer while double-timing alone?
If you approach an officer while you are double-timing alone, assume quick time march and render the hand salute. When the salute is returned, execute order arms and resume double-timing
69. Who initiates a salute?
The salute is always initiated by the subordinate and terminated only after acknowledgment by the individual being saluted
70. What should accompany a salute?
The salute should be accompanied with an appropriate greeting, such as, "Good morning/afternoon, sir/ma'am."
71. Are salutes required to be rendered by or to personnel who are driving or ridding in privately owned vehicles?
No
72. Do enlisted personnel exchange salutes?
It is not customary for enlisted personnel to exchange salutes, except in some ceremonial situations
73. When is saluting not required?
-Indoors, except when reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.
-When a prisoner
-When is is obviously inappropriate (officer has articles in his/her hands or otherwise occupied)
.