What Are Military Customs And Courtesies?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Army customs and courtesies lend

color, distinction, and ceremony

to your daily life as a Soldier. Courtesies are the outward signs of your respect for your nation, your flag, your comrades, and our country’s fallen heroes. They engender mutual respect, good manners, politeness, and discipline.

What is the purpose of having military tradition customs and courtesies?

The purpose of military traditions, customs, and courtesies is

to develop pride in the military service, and to establish strong bonds of professional and per- sonal friendships

— patterns of behavior that enhance the military way of life.

What are the 3 military courtesies?

Some military courtesies include proper forms of address (“Sir”, “Ma’am”, “Mister”) and when each should be used; the salute, and the related concept of standing at attention;

proper wear of military headgear

; obeisance; and the rules for behavior in various ceremonies.

What are the significant of military custom?

Military traditions are important as

they can bind loved ones or groups of people together

. The military is built on traditions, customs and manners, and as a result its members share a common experience.

What regulation covers military customs and courtesies?

The Army has a regulation,

AR 600-25

– “Salutes, Honors and Courtesy” published September 10, 2019 that “provides general policies and procedures for the rendition of salutes, honors, ceremonies, customs, and visits of courtesy.” One of the chapters establishes salutes and courtesies.

Can you walk and salute army?

A salute indoors is rendered only when reporting to an officer.

Walk on the left of and slightly behind an officer or NCO of superior rank

. When entering or exiting a vehicle or boat, the junior ranking military member is the first to enter, and the senior in rank is the first to exit.

Is it disrespectful to salute if you’re not in the military?

“The President of the United States, as the commander in chief, will be saluted by Army personnel in uniform. … “

Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate

, or both are in civilian attire.”

Do officers salute back at the gate?

When you enter a military installation a gate guard will check your ID card. If it is a military member, they will salute officers.

It is customary to return the salute whether you are

in uniform or wearing civilian clothes.

Do you salute a retired officer?

Yes,

it is customary to salute them when you recognize them as officers

, when they are in uniform or when they are participants in ceremonies. Security personnel (gate guards) at military installation entrances salute retired officers when they see their rank as they check ID cards, for example.

Do you salute an officer out of uniform?

A salute is a public sign of respect and recognition of another’s higher rank. When in uniform,

you salute when you meet and recognize an officer entitled to a salute by rank except when inappropriate or impractical

.

Do you salute a cadet?

When on campus and in uniform,

cadets will salute all cadet officers and cadre officers of all services

. It is appropriate to accompany the salute with a word of greeting, for example, “Good morning, sir.”

Do you salute a sergeant major?

All military enlisted personnel in uniform are

required

to salute when they meet and recognize a commissioned or warrant officer, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (for example, if you’re carrying something using both hands).

Do you call a sergeant sir?

One of those regs says that

officers are addressed as Sir

, by enlisted and other, lower-ranking officers. It also says that NCOs are addressed as Sergeant no matter what their rank, except for first sergeants and sergeants major. Officers are called sir not enlisted men.

What is the highest form of military courtesy?


The salute

is the highest form of military courtesy. It is executed by raising the right hand smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the right eyebrow or the front brim of the headgear when covered.

What are the ranks of a soldier?

There are 13 enlisted Army ranks:

private, private second class, private first class, specialist, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, sergeant first class, master sergeant, first sergeant

, sergeant major, command sergeant major and sergeant major of the Army.

What does military discipline mean?

Discipline or “military discipline” as it is often referred, is defined as

the state of order and obedience among personnel in a military organization

and is characterized by the men’s prompt and willing responsiveness to orders and understanding compliance to regulation.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.