UNIT 3 MILITARY CUSTOMS, COURTESIES,

ETIQUETTE AND CEREMONIES

http://www.goatlocker.org/sound/navyband/taps.mp3

TAPS

"It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was

with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia.The Confederate Army was on the other

side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a

soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate

soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical

attention.Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the captain reached the stricken

soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the captain finally reached

his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The captain lit a lantern. Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the

dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying

music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the

Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give

his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.

His request was partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of Army

band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down

since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say they could

give him only one musician.

The captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had

found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son's uniform.

This wish was granted. This music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps" that is

used at all military funerals."

LESSON TOPIC OBJECTIVES:

Explain the types of military customs and courtesies to

include their purposes and when courtesies are

rendered.

Describe the flag of the United States as a standard of

honor.

Explain the procedures in pledging allegiance to the flag.

Describe the sequence of events in military ceremonies,

reviews and parades.

Customs and courtesies are the traditional way by which nations and individuals pay respect to distinguished persons and foreign governments.

Customs, Courtesies,

Etiquette, and Ceremonies

They are not rendered to governments that the U.S. does not recognize or to officials who request that they not be rendered.

You render honors when passing

the USS ARIZONA memorial.

Ceremonies are formal,

traditional acts of

respect and/or

reverence

performed on

public occasions.

“The Black Tears of the Arizona,”

Even after 50 years, her engines

occasionally leak small amounts of oil

that bubble to the top of the water and

create a rainbow on the surface. The

leaking oil is often referred to as “The

Black Tears of the Arizona,” and local

legend says that the tears will stop

when the last Arizona survivor has

joined his crew members in death

“The Black Tears of the Arizona,”

Reminds us of the greatness of America

The American Flag and

Flag Etiquette

The American Flag

The standard of honor

under which we live

Canton

The four corners of a flag, especially the

upper left hand corner of the flag.

Our Flag

The flag signifies a

people dedicated to

liberty, justice, and

freedom for all.

Our Flag

Stands for the courageous, earnest, and

unselfish experiences of those who have

given us strength as a nation

Ensign

A special flag based on a country’s

national flag and used exclusively on

naval ships or merchant ship.

Proper display of the flag demonstrates

the ultimate respect for the flag of our

nation.

Our Flag

It is customary to display the flag only

from sunrise to sunset on buildings and

on stationary flagstaffs in the open.

Our Flag

When a patriotic effect is desired, the

flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if

properly illuminated during the hours of

darkness.

Our Flag

The flag should not be displayed on days

when the weather is inclement, except

when an all weather flag or storm flag is

displayed.

Storm Flag

The U.S. flag

which is

flown at

military

installation

during

inclement

weather.

Display the

flag at every:

• public institution

• school

The

American Flag

NJROTC cadets observing colors

at their school

New Year's Day

Inauguration Day

Lincoln's Birthday

Easter Sunday

Armed Forces Day

Memorial Day

Flag Day

Independence Day

Other Important

Days

Ensure the flag is displayed on:

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Navy Day

Veteran's Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Birthdays of States

Washington's Birthday

Half-staff: The position of the flag when

it is one-half the distance between the

top and the bottom of the staff.

The flag should be displayed daily in or

near every polling (voting) place on

election days.

When the flag is in such condition that

it is no longer a fitting emblem for

display, it should be destroyed in a

dignified way, preferably by burning.

Military personnel follow specific

procedures in showing their respect

to the flag and the national anthem.

Honoring and Saluting the Flag

Demonstrates respect for our:

• Nation

• Fellow citizens

• Proud heritage we share

FLAG

COURTESIES

• When outdoors in

uniform

• When outdoors in

civilian clothes

• To an escorted

flag

• On a stationary

flagstaff

• During indoor

ceremonies

OUTDOORS IN UNIFORM

Colors

The national

and regimental

or armorial

flags carried by

dismounted

organizations

(such as color

guard)

The salute begins on the first note of

the music and is held until the last note.

An

Escorted

Flag

When attending any

outdoor event in

uniform and the U.S.

flag is escorted past

you, stand at attention,

face the front, and

render the appropriate

salute. Render the

salute six paces before

the flag is even with

you and hold it until

the flag has passed six

paces beyond you.

Do not salute flags on

stationary flagstaffs

except during

reveille and retreat.

The flag is flown at

half staff to honor

and pay respect to

deceased persons

of national

importance.

Half Staff

The procedure

for half-staff:

To half-mast the

ensign, it is first

hoisted to the

peak and then

lowered to the

half mast

position.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

United States of America, and to the

republic for which it stands, one nation

under God, indivisible, with liberty and

justice for all.

The Pledge of Allegiance

IN UNIFORM

In military formation and ceremonies, the Pledge of

Allegiance shall not be recited. At protocol functions, social,

and sporting events which include civilian participants,

personnel in uniform should:

(a) When outdoors, stand at

attention, face the flag,

remain silent and render

the hand salute;

(b) When indoors, stand at

attention, and face the flag,

but don not salute.

Reciting of the Pledge of

Allegiance is optional for

military personnel when

indoors.

Ceremonies

Formal events commemorating, honoring,

and recognizing individuals, groups, or

achievements

Types of Ceremonies

• Parades

~ Ceremonial

~ Street

• Funerals and Special Ceremonies

• Reviews

• Decorations

The Composition of a Review

A review consists of four parts:

Formation of the unit

Presentations and honors

Inspection (trooping the line)

March in the review.

Formation of the Unit

In a joint/combined review of the 5

uniformed services, what is the order

of march?

Army

Marine Corps

Navy

Air Force

Coast Guard.

Presentations and Honors

Inspection

The Presentation of Awards

It commences with the

reading of the orders

and citations of the

awards to be presented

by a designated staff

officer. The reviewing

officer attaches the

decoration on the

uniform over the left

breast pocket, presents

the citation and shakes

the hand of each

decorated person.

Immediately after

shaking hands, the

person decorated salutes

the reviewing officer. The

salute is returned, and

the reviewing officer

proceeds to the next

person being decorated.

After shaking hands with

the last person, the

reviewing officer

resumes his/her post.

The Presentation of Awards cont.…

Pass in Review

Held to present:

• NJROTC awards

and decorations

• U.S. decorations

• Organizational

colors

• Foreign

decorations

Presentation of

Decorations

Street Parade

Street parade different from a military review

because they are considerably less formal.

They are organized by a person designated

as Grand Marshal.

Importance

of Participation

• It's an important

part of training.

• It brings credit to

school and unit.

• Strut your stuff!

Q.1. What are customs and

courtesies?

A.1. The way by which nations and

individuals pay respect to

distinguished persons and foreign

governments

Q.1. What are customs and

courtesies?

Q.2. TRUE or FALSE. Courtesies are

salutes to ships, to high-

ranking individuals and to

nations.

A.2. TRUE.

Q.2. TRUE or FALSE. Courtesies are

salutes to ships, to high-

ranking individuals and to

nations.

Q.3 When should the flag be

displayed?

A.3. The flag should be displayed

on all days, especially on all

national and state holidays.

Q.3. When should the flag be

displayed?

Q.4. When should the flag not be

displayed during daylight

hours?

A.4. When the weather is inclement

except when an all weather

flag is available.

Q.4. When should the flag not be

displayed during daylight

hours?

Q.5. When is the only time a flag

should be destroyed?

A.5. When the flag is in such a

condition that it is no longer a

fitting emblem for display, it

should be destroyed.

Q.5. When is the only time a flag

should be destroyed?

Q.6. What do uncovered military

service members do when they

pledge allegiance?

A.6. The salute begins on the first

note of the music and is held

until the last note.

Q.6. When does the salute to the

flag begin when outdoors and

you are in full uniform?

Q.7. What are the four types of

ceremonies?

A.7. Reviews, decorations, parades

and funerals/special

ceremonies

Q.7. What are the four types of

ceremonies?