Military Customs Courtesy

1. Military Customs & Courtesy Presented by: Classification: Unclassified

2. The purpose of this lesson is to briefly familiarize the class in the U.S. Army�s history of its customs and courtesies, and the actions to take when raising and lowering the U.S. Flag.

4. Overview: Meanings and examples of Customs & Courtesy The Hand Salute Identifying Ranks Common rules Saluting and Reporting to an Officer, NCO, or Board Walking with an Officer/NCO U.S. Flag National/Military Music

5. The Meanings of Customs & Courtesies Courtesies Good manners and politeness in dealing with other personnel. Respect and consideration shown to each other by members of the same profession. Basis for good human relations. Indicator of person�s bearing, discipline, and manners. Customs Established Practice; includes both positive and negative actions. Compliment procedures required by military courtesy. Add to the graciousness of garrison life.

6. The Differences: 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.

7. Examples of Customs Never criticize the Army or a leader in public Never jump the chain of command Never offer excuses Never use a superiors rank to get something done, when in fact the superior never gave such a order (�First Sergeant wants this done now.�)

8. Examples of Customs Cont. Never turn and walk away to avoid giving the hand salute Never run indoors or pretend you don�t hear (while driving) to avoid standing during Reveille or Retreat Never appear in uniform while under the influence of alcohol You will never go wrong with the response," I don�t know, but I�ll find out.� if you don�t know the answer to a superiors question.

9. Examples of Courtesies Hand Salute Addressing and working with Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers Rendering honors to the Flag Reacting and rendering honors to specific National/Military music

10. The Hand Salute

11. Origin of the Hand Salute In the late Roman times assassinations were common. A citizen who wanted to see a public official would approach with his right hand raised to show he did not hold a weapon.

12. Origin of the Hand Salute Cont. In the century of Knights in Armor, knights raised their visors with the right hand when meeting a comrade.

13. Meaning of the Hand Salute Honor exchange, privilege gesture of respect and trust among soldiers, and recognition of each others commitment, abilities, and professionalism; sign of self-discipline. Expression that recognizes each other as a member of the �Profession of Arms�; that they have made a personal commitment of self-sacrifice to preserve our way of life.

14. Appropriate and Non-Appropriate Examples of Saluting Appropriate When in uniform When National Anthem, To the Colors, Hail to the Chief, Foreign National Anthems are played Funerals/Change of Commands Retreat or Reveille Sounding of Honors Pledging of Allegiance to the U.S. flag (outdoors) Turning over control of formations When rendering reports Officers of friendly foreign countries Non-Appropriate Indoors (unless you are reporting to a Officer, Board, or if you are on guard duty) A prisoner If you are working underneath a vehicle Either the senior or subordinate is wearing civilian clothes Either the senior or subordinate has articles in both hands When unit is resting alongside a road (road marches)

15. The salute should be accompanied with an appropriate greeting, such as, �Good morning/afternoon, sir/ma�am,� or the units/platoons motto such as �Vikings�. Remember to salute proudly because it shows you have pride in yourself and your unit and that you have confidence in your abilities as a soldier.

16. Working with and Addressing Officers and NCOs

17. Identifying Ranks NCO- enlisted person, as a sergeant or corporal, holding any of various ranks below commissioned or warrant officers Commissioned Officer- a military or naval officer holding rank by commission.

18. Common Rules Officers When speaking to an Officer stand at attention until ordered otherwise When dismissed, come to attention and salute When a Officer enters a room, the first soldier to recognize him calls the room to attention An Officer is always addressed as Sir/Ma�am depending on the sex.

19. Common Rules NCOs When speaking to an NCO stand at parade rest until ordered otherwise When an NCO of a superior rank enters a room, the first soldier to recognize him calls the room to at ease Always greet or address the NCO with the appropriate title (�Sergeant/Sergeant-Major)

20. Crowded Hallways and Similar Areas When a Officer/NCO 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/NCO should call �At ease� and �Make way� so those present will move to the sides of the hallway and allow passage.

21. Saluting an Officer or NCO

22. Reporting to an Officer/NCO/Board Reporting When you report to an Officer/NCO/Board, approach the person on whom you are reporting to and stop about two steps from him, assuming the position of attention. Give the proper salute and say, for example, �Sir/Ma�am, Private Smith reports as ordered.� When business is conducted and you are dismissed, come to attention and salute wait for the return salute, once acknowledged execute the proper facing procedure and leave the room.

23. Walking with a Officer/NCO When walking with a superior, always walk on the left. The custom of walking to the left originated in 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.

24. Rendering Honors to the U.S. Flag, National/Military Music

25. U.S. Flag The flag of the United States is the symbol of our nation. The union, white stars on a field of blue, is the honor point of the flag All soldiers should pay respect to the flags daily, when it is being raised and when it is being lowered.

26. Raising and Lowering of the Flag The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

27. Action upon raising and lowering of the Flag Dismounted- Whenever and wherever the �National Anthem�, �To The Colors�, �Hail to the Chief�, or �Reveille� are played, at 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 salute When not in uniform, personnel will, at first note, stand at attention facing the flag or the music (if the flag is not in view), remove headgear, if any, with the right hand, and place the right hand over the heart.

28. Action upon raising and lowering of the Flag Mounted- 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.

29. The Flag in Mourning To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset. The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

30. National/Military Music National Anthem Reveille Retreat To the Colors Hail to the Chief Taps The Army Song

31. National Anthem Known as the �Star-Spangled Banner� Written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key Usually played after Retreat

32. Retreat Originally called �The Watch Setting� Signal to forces outside the camps to return before the closing of the gates Originally sounded on drums Adopted to take effect before sunset in 1779 Signal of when the night guard was taking control At the last note of this call a cannon is fired.

33. To the Colors "To the Colors" is played while the flag is raised and lowered. To the Color is a bugle call to render honors to the nation. It is used when no band is available to render honors, or in ceremonies requiring honors to the nation more than once. To the Color commands all the same courtesies as the National Anthem.

34. Reveille Originally from the French meaning �to wake again� Written by Joseph Hayden Signifies the beginning of the duty day Origins from the Roman Empire �Diana�s Hymn�

35. Hail to the Chief Originally written by James Sanderson for a stage adaptation of Sir Walter Scott�s Poem, �The Lady of the Lake�. Song was first performed in the U.S in 1812. The tune for the song; however, may have been borrowed from an old Scottish melody. Now its traditionally played to announce the ceremonial entrance of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief -- the President of the United States.

36. Taps Meaning �Lights Out� Created in July of 1862 by union Gen. Daniel Adams Butterfield Played by the Brigade bugler Oliver Wilcox Norton Officially recognized in 1874

37. The Army Song March along, sing our song with the Army of the free Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory, We're the Army and proud of our name; We're the Army and proudly proclaim: First to fight for the right, and to build The Nation's might, And the Army Goes Rolling Along. Proud of all we have done, Fighting till the battle's won, And the Army Goes Rolling Along CHORUS: Then it's hi, hi, hey! The Army's on its way count off the cadence loud and strong (two, three) For wher-e'er we go, You will always know that the Army Goes Rolling Along Valley Forge, Custer's ranks, San Juan hill and Patton's tanks, And the Army went rolling Along. Minute men from the start, Always fighting from the heart, And the Army keeps rolling along. CHORUS Men in rags, men who froze, still that Army met its foes, And the Army went rolling along. Faith in God, then we're right, And we'll fight with all our might, As the Army keeps rolling along. CHORUS (the third chorus should be sung slower) + (Keep it rolling) And The Army Goes Rolling Along. Upon hearing, soldiers should come to attention face the flag or the direction of the music and salute.

38. Questions

39. Conclusion Military Customs & Courtesies is not a one-way street. Enlisted personnel must be courteous to Officers, and Officers are expected to return the courtesy. Officers respect the soldiers as individuals, just as you respect the Officers as individuals. Without the basis of mutual respect there can be no Military Customs & Courtesy, and disharmony will result. Customs & Courtesy show discipline, bearing, and the abilities of the Unit, Soldier, and Section. Pride in ones actions will show positive Courtesy and Custom.

40. Work-Cited Page FM 3-21.5 Drill & CeremonyFM 7-21.13 The Soldiers GuideAR 600-20 Army Command PolicyAR 600-25 Salute, Honors, Visits of CourtesyAugust 1995 Webster�s Handy College Dictionary 3rd EditionInternet Siteswww.armystudyguide.comwww.squad-leader.com