Customs and Courtesies

Wing Inspector General C/Lt Col Patrick R.

Sheehan

OVERVIEW• Intro• What are customs and courtesies• Generally customs and courtesies• Saluting- its history, how to salute, whom to

salute, and when to salute• Some points to remember• Conclusion• Questions??

DET 158 AFROTC

Customs and Courtesies

• Custom - An act or ceremony that stems from tradition and is enforced as unwritten law.

• Courtesy – If guidance is in written form, it’s a military courtesy.

Seven Basic Responses

• Yes, Sir/Ma’am• No, Sir/Ma’am• No excuse, Sir/Ma’am• Sir/Ma’am, I do not know• Sir/Ma’am, I do not understand• Sir/Ma’am, may I ask a question?• Sir/Ma’am, may I make a statement?

General Customs/Courtesies• Constant usage of Professionalism• Verbal Greetings• Appointments and being on time• Usage of appropriate Titles (rank and name)• Stand or rise to the position of attention when speaking

to officers, unless told otherwise• Proper telephone etiquette• Calling the room when an officer enters • Respect towards the U.S. Flag, Air Force Song, and

other services.

General Customs/Courtesies Cont’d

• Proper Utilization of the chain of command• Never put your hands in your pockets unless doing

so quickly to retrieve something• Do not lean or sit on a superiors desk, ask for

permission to be seated• When walking with a superior, allow the superior

to take the position of honor to the right• Saluting

SALUTING

Whom to salute

• Anyone who is above you in rank.• The President• Warrant officers of any service.• Commissioned officers of friendly foreign

countries.

When do you salute

• U.S. Flag• National Anthem• Staff Cars• Not indoors unless receiving an award or

reporting to a senior officer

When to Salute

Special Considerations

When to Salute

Special Considerations

Points to remember as a cadet towards fellow cadets, officers,

and enlisted personnel

Cadet to Cadet

• Courtesy is an attitude-an attitude that leads to success.

• Excessive familiarity between superiors and subordinates makes it difficult to establish a professional relationship.

• The cadet corps works within a class system. This creates a excellent training environment to learn

Cadets to Officers

• Officers will treat everyone fairly, all cadets receive the same treatment.

• You should always use Sir/Ma’am when conversing or responding with senior ranking officers.

• Do NOT use slang, profanity, “yeah”, “uh-huh”, etc. It is to casual and therefore considered disrespectful.

Cadets to Enlisted Personnel

• It is inappropriate for a cadet to act in any way superior to an NCO

• Respect them and they will respect you.

Conclusion

• What are customs and courtesies• Generally customs and courtesies• Saluting- its history, how to salute, whom to

salute, and when to salute• Some points to remember

??Questions??