This lesson will cover military customs and courtesies and how they apply to you. The following areas will be covered: saluting in many different situations, respect to the flag, pledge of allegiance, grade insignias, proper titles, titles of address, and basic drill movements. There will be short video clips and/or sound bytes to correspond with each area so make use of them.

A custom is a social convention stemming from tradition and enforced as an unwritten law. A courtesy is a kind, polite, considerate behavior often linked to a custom. A military courtesy is such behavior extended to a person or thing that honors them is some way. For example, the position of honor has always been to the right. This originated from the medieval swordsmen who always wore their weapons on the left side and drew them to their right. The strongest and most experienced warriors were given the place of honor to allow them easy access to their weapons. Additionally, this practice has carried over to today in relation to saluting.

To allow ease of saluting, the senior person walks on the right. Most military customs and courtesies evolve from long-standing practices or have some historical significance. For example, the U.S. flag is folded in a triangular shape to represent the tri-corner hat of early American patriots. The lowering of the flag to half-staff comes from the naval custom of lowering sails upon the death of a crewmember to indicate that things were not "ship-shape."

As with other customs and courtesies, saluting has evolved from history. The ancient knights used the gesture of raising the face visor on their helmets as a greeting. This move signified friendship and confidence as it removed the sword hand from the weapon and provided vulnerability in the suit of armor.

The salute is a respectful greeting exchanged between members of the same profession. It's an everyday courtesy based on mutual respect and is one of the traditions that binds military personnel together.

Salutes are rendered as a courtesy and are required between those officers junior and those senior in rank. If individuals are equal in rank, salutes may be exchanged. There are no set rules regarding how close or how far away a junior must be in order to render a salute. When a junior recognizes a senior, the junior will initiate a salute. There will usually be a verbal greeting exchanged by both members and the senior member will return the salute. This action occurs very quickly, usually within a distance of six paces.

You're not expected to initiate or to return a salute if it's impractical or dangerous to do so. The salute is intended to be a dignified military greeting, not a test of manual dexterity. Therefore, you aren't required to give a salute when encumbered (that is, when both hands are full), but you should make a verbal greeting. While CAP members are required to salute military officers of higher rank, military members are not required to salute CAP members, although it is often done as a courtesy.

At all bases, military members (as pedestrians) are required to salute staff cars when there's an occupant inside the car (there's no need to salute an unoccupied staff car.) As a rule, staff cars are painted Air Force blue and marked with an eagle (indicating the rank of colonel) or one or more stars (indicating the rank of a general officer) on a placard on the vehicle's front bumper.

A song known as "Ruffles and Flourishes" is played to honor certain individuals and consists of a drum roll (ruffle) and a trumpet fanfare (flourish). Commissioned officers in the grade of brigadier general receive one ruffle and flourish, major generals rate two, lieutenant generals rate three, and four-star generals rate four. Also rating four on certain occasions are such distinguished civilians as the President, the Chief Justice, Cabinet members, Heads of State of foreign countries, etc. Four ruffles and flourishes are the maximum played.

Indoors. Upon hearing "Ruffles and Flourishes" indoors, if you're in uniform or civilian clothes, come to attention, face the individual being honored, and remain at attention until the last note of the music has been played.

Outdoors. Upon hearing "Ruffles and Flourishes" outdoors, while in uniform, come to attention, face the individual being honored, and present arms, remaining at attention until the last note of the music has been played.

CAP personnel in civilian clothes face the individual being honored and stand at attention.

Indoors. In uniform or civilian clothes, stand at attention and participate if possible. Traditionally only the first verse of the Air Force song is played or sung. If at an official ceremony the words for the first verse will be printed in the program when it is a part of the ceremony.

Outdoors. In uniform or civilian clothes, stand at attention or march at the position of attention from the first to last note of the music. Do not salute. The same courtesy is rendered to sister service songs.

Reporting. Salutes are exchanged indoors only when a junior-ranking member formally reports to a senior officer. Initiate the procedure by knocking on the door and obtaining acknowledgment from the senior. Then proceed in a military manner until you're about two paces from the senior or the senior's desk. Stop, salute, and report. When the conversation has ended, come to attention, report out, salute, and depart by the most direct route in a military manner.

If you're in frequent working contact with a senior, the senior may waive the saluting requirement or may require a salute only the first time you enter his/her office each day. You'll still be expected to salute when reporting to other senior officers.

Saluting the U.S. Flag. When you're in uniform and an uncased flag passes by in a parade, or any ceremony, you salute when the flag comes within six paces of you and hold the salute until the flag passes six paces beyond you. If in formation, follow the verbal commands of your flight or squadron commander.

If in civilian clothes under similar circumstances, come to attention, remove your hat (if you're wearing one), and place your right hand over your heart when the flag is six paces before you; hold until the flag is six paces past you.

On Air Force installations, flags on stationary staffs are saluted at reveille, retreat and on special occasions. Except at these times, the flag shouldn't be saluted while on a stationary staff.

Retreat Ceremony. On Air Force installations, the flag is lowered at the end of each day in a ceremony called "Retreat." Usually, the bugle call "Retreat" is sounded and is followed by the playing of the National Anthem or "To the Colors." If you're outside, you must stop what you're doing and face the flag (if visible) or the music. During the sounding of "Retreat" you stand at parade rest, then, if in uniform, come to attention and salute during the playing of the National Anthem or "To the Colors." If in civilian clothes, come to attention, remove your hat (if your wearing one), and place your right hand over your heart when the National Anthem begins to play.

If you're driving a vehicle and see a flag ceremony or hear the music, stop and sit at attention until the music ends; your passengers also remain silent.

The National Anthem. If you're outdoors, at an athletic event or other function, and in uniform when the National Anthem is played, face the flag (if visible), salute, and hold the salute until the music is finished. If the flag isn't visible, face the music and salute.

If you're in civilian dress, stand at attention, remove your hat with your right hand, hold it over the left side of your chest with your right hand over your heart. If you're not wearing a hat, place your right hand over your heart. In either case, stay in that position until the music stops.

Military personnel don't salute the national flag during indoor ceremonies when in uniform. When the National Anthem or "To The Colors" is played, personnel in civilian or military attire will stand at attention facing the flag (or the source of music if the flag isn't visible). When in civilian attire, come to attention, and place your right hand over your heart.

There's no requirement to come to attention when the National Anthem is played on the radio or television (such as before a sporting event or station sign-off).

At base movie theaters, the National Anthem is played prior to the start of the film. You should rise, stand at attention, and, if in civilian clothes, place your right hand over your heart.

When displayed on U.S. territory, the U.S. flag is accorded the place of honor. As an example, when carried with an organization flag, the U.S. flag is carried to the right of the line of march. Although the organizational flag may be dipped in salute to the reviewing officer at a parade, the national flag is never dipped in salute.

In military formations and ceremonies, the Pledge of Allegiance won't be recited. However, when the pledge is recited at protocol functions, social events, and sporting events which include civilians, you should:

When in uniform (indoors or outdoors), stand at attention, face the flag and remain silent, but you don't salute. However, if the participants are primarily civilians or in civilian clothes, you may recite the Pledge of Allegiance if you wish.

When in civilian clothes (indoors or outdoors), stand at attention, face the flag, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance while holding your right hand over your heart. (Men should remove their headdress with their right hand and place their right hand, while holding the headdress, over their heart.)

All military personnel are addressed properly by their grade or title. Airman First Class Jones is correctly addressed as "Airman Jones." Master Sergeant Smith may be called "Master Sergeant Smith" or "Sergeant Smith," but should never be addressed "Hey, Sarge." Chief Master Sergeant Clifford will be called "Chief Clifford," never "Sergeant Clifford."

Officers senior to you may be addressed by their rank and last name, or as "Sir" or "Ma'am." To officers junior to you, use their rank or rank and last name. Rank has no sex and one of the most glaring blunders is to assume a ranking officer is a "he." A lieutenant is addressed officially as "Lieutenant." A Lieutenant Colonel is addressed as "Colonel."

1. ATTENTION

a. On hearing the command "Flight", assume Parade Rest.

(1) Raise the left leg from the hip just enough for the foot to clear the ground.

(2) Keeping legs straight but not stiff, smartly move left foot to the left and place it down 22½° off center line of the body. Heels are approx. 12" apart measured inside the heels and on line.

(3) Simultaneously, bring your hands to the back of the body, uncupping them in the process.

(a) Extend and join your fingers pointing them toward the ground; palms out.

(b) Place the back of right hand into palm of the left hand and with right thumb over left so thumbs form an "X", pointing down.

(4) Keep arms fully extended.

(5) Keep your head and eyes forward, maintaining silence and immobility.

b. On "Attention"; actual words are "Tench Hut":

(1) Smartly bring the left heel together with the right heel so heels are on line and feet form a 45º angle.

(2) Simultaneously, bring hands to the sides, cupping hands in the process.

(a) Cup hands so thumbs rest along the first joint of the forefinger with palms facing the legs.

(b) Place thumbs along seam of the trousers.

(c) Arms hang straight alongside the body with wrists straight with forearm.

(3) Body is erect with hips level, chest lifted, back arched, shoulders square and even.

(4) Legs are straight, knees unlocked.

(5) Eyes are straight forward.

(6) Maintain silence and immobility.

2. PARADE REST

a. On "Parade", mentally prepare yourself.

b. On "Rest":

(1) Raise the left leg from the hip just enough for the foot to clear the ground.

(2) Keeping legs straight but not stiff, smartly move left foot to the left and place it down 22½° off center line of the body. Heels are approx. 12" apart measured inside the heels and on line.

(3) Simultaneously, bring hands to the back of the body, uncupping them in the process.

(a) Extend and join your fingers pointing them toward the ground; palms out.

(b) Place the back of right hand into palm of the left hand and with right thumb over left so thumbs form an "X", pointing down.

(4) Keep arms fully extended.

(5) Keep head and eyes forward, maintaining silence and immobility until given "Flight Attention"

3. AT EASE

a. Must be at Attention before going to At Ease.

b. On "At Ease", you must conform to the following minimum requirements: keep your right foot in position and refrain from talking. You may move around as appropriate (e.g., adjust your hat, stretch, wipe your brow) but keep in mind the constant need to act like a professional.

4. AT REST

a. Must be at Attention before going to At Rest.

b. Upon given "At Rest", you may act in accordance with AT EASE as well as talk. This command is intended to allow members of a formation to relax even more than AT EASE. However, you must maintain your relative position in the formation.

5. PRESENT ARMS

a. On "Present", mentally prepare yourself.

b. On "Arms", bring right hand smartly up the front and centerline of the body, uncupping the hand as it passes the waist.

(1) Extend and join fingers placing thumb along forefinger; keep palm flat, forming a straight line between the fingertips and elbow.

(2) Tilting palm slightly toward your face, hold upper arm horizontal and slightly forward.

(3) Ensure the tip of middle finger touches one of the following contact points:

(a) Right front corner of billed cap.

(b) Outside corner of right front of eyeglasses (if worn) if wearing a non-billed cap or no cap.

(c) Outside corner of right eyebrow if wearing a non-billed cap or no cap.

(4) Remainder of the body remains at Attention.

(5) Hold position until given Order Arms.

6. ORDER ARMS

a. On "Order", mentally prepare yourself

b. On "Arms", smartly lower hand, retracing path used to raise it.

c. Cup hand as it passes the waist, returning hand to the side of the body.

d. Body is back at Attention.

Military customs and courtesies are an important part of our heritage and daily activities. They are fundamental to how we interact with each other and key to building pride and esprit de corps within the profession of arms. They are a big part of what makes the military special and must be followed at all times.