Military customs
Military courtesy Is simply the display of good manners and politeness In dealing with other people. Military courtesy conveys respect from both subordinate and senior to each other. Men of arms have used some form of the military salute as an exchange of greeting since the earliest times. It has been preserved and its use continued in all modern armies which Inherit their military traditions from the age of chivalry.
The method of rendering the salute has varied through the ages, as It still varies In form between he armless of the world today. In the age of chivalry the knights were all mounted and wore steel armor which covered the body completely, including the head and face. When two friendly knights met, it was the custom for each to raise the visor and expose his face to view of the other. This was always done with the right hand, the left being used to hold the reins.
It was significant gesture of friendship and confidence, since It exposed the features and also removed the right hand – the sword hand – from the bluntly of the weapon. Also, In ancient times the freemen (soldiers) of Europe were allowed to carry arms; hen two freemen met, each would raise his right hand to show that he held no weapons and that the meeting was a friendly one. Slaves were not allowed to carry arms, and they passed freemen without the exchange of a greeting. In the Middle Ages, gentlemen often went about clothed in heavy capes under which swords were carried.
Upon meeting a friend, the cloak was thrown back by raising the right arm, thus disclosing that the right hand was not on the sword hilt. The Cleveland counterpart of the salutes manifested In various ways such as raising the hand when greeting a reined, tipping the hat when meeting a lady, and using a sign of recognition between lodge members. This sign is always exchanged as a greeting between friends and is given willingly. The military salute is given in the same manner – that of pride in giving recognition to a comrade In the honorable profession of arms.
The knightly gesture, of raising the hand to the visor came to be recognized as the proper greeting between soldiers, and was continued even after modern firearms had made steel body armor a thing of the past. The military salute is today, as it seems always to have been. Unique form of greeting between military professionals. RENDERING THE HAND SALUTE 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. Below are examples of situations where you would salute: When walking outdoors in uniform and you approach a cadet officer or cadre officer. When outdoors in uniform and when the American Flag is being raised or lowered. When in uniform, a cadet reporting to an officer in his office, will make his presence t the door known, enter when permission Is given, come to attention, salute and 18 Example: “Sir, Cadet Jones reports. ” He/she will remain at the position of attention until given “At ease. ” Upon completion of his business, the cadet will come to attention, salute, do an about face and leave.
When an officer (to include cadet officer in uniform) approaches a uniformed group outside, the first cadet to recognize the officer will call “Attention” and all cadets will salute and remain at attention until given “At ease”, “Rest”, “Carry on”, another command, or until the officer passes. If cadets are performing a work detail, only the person in charge will come to attention and salute. The detail will continue to work. When in formation and an officer (to include cadet officer in uniform) approaches, the person in charge calls the formation to attention and salute.
Salutes are not rendered in the following areas or cases: Indoors, salutes are not exchanged except when reporting to a senior officer. When actively engaged in sports or in the middle of training. When operating a vehicle. USE OF “SIR” and “SERGEANT” All cadre and cadet officers are addressed as “SIR”VAMPS”. As a general rule, “Sir”Vamps” is used in speaking either officially or socially to any senior. The word is repeated with each complete statement. Mimes” and “No” should always be accompanied with “Sir”Vamps”. All NCO will be addressed as “Sergeant” with the exception of the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major.
They will be addressed by their title. Another ancient military custom dictates that you should always walk or sit to the left of your seniors. For centuries men fought with swords, and because most men are right handed, the heaviest fighting occurred on the right. The shield was on the left arm, and the left side became defensive. Men and units who preferred to carry the battle to the enemy, and who were proud of their fighting ability, considered the right of a battle line to a post of honor.
Therefore, when an officer walks or sits on your right, he is symbolically filling the post of honor. ATTENTION When an officer enters a room occupied by enlisted personnel or cadets, the room is called to attention. It is not proper, however, for officers to follow this custom at the approach of a senior officer. The question then is how to get officers to attention thou the command. Generally, this is accomplished by the individual officers assuming the position of attention when appropriate or one officer announcing the presence of the senior and the other officers then assuming the position of attention.
For example, if the classroom were filled only with cadet officers and the MS entered the room, one of the cadet 19 officers would announce, “Gentlemen, the Professor of Military Science. ” likewise, instructed otherwise by the officer. PARADE REST Like “Attention”, Parade Rest is a form of respect given to NCO by those Junior in rank. When a Senior NCO enters an area of Junior enlisted soldiers or cadets, the room is called to “at ease”. All personnel should immediately go to the position of “stand at-ease” until told to “carry-on”.
