Military Customs and Courtesies
Customs and Courtesies Definitions Rank Recognition Rendering Courtesies General Courtesies Reporting Procedures
SOBs Cognitive Samples of Behavior: 1. Define military customs and courtesies. 2. Recognize various enlisted and officer rank insignia 3. Identify when saluting is appropriate. 4. Describe the correct procedure for reporting to a senior officer. 5. Identify common “do’s and don’ts” of military etiquette.
Definitions Custom – act or ceremony stemming from tradition Courtesy – written guidance
Rank Recognition Airmen
Rank Recognition Airman Basic (AB) Does not wear any rank insignia Addressed as “Airman Basic” or “Airman” Pay grade is E-1
Rank Recognition Airman (Amn) Chevron of 1 stripe with star Addressed as “Airman” Pay grade is E-2
Rank Recognition Airman First Class (A1C) Chevron of 2 stripes with star Addressed as “Airman First Class” or “Airman” Pay grade is E-3
Rank Recognition Senior Airman (SrA) Chevron of 3 stripes with star Addressed as “Senior Airman” or “Airman” Pay grade is E-4
Rank Recognition Noncommissioned Officers (NCO)
Rank Recognition Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Chevron of 4 stripes with star Addressed as “Staff Sergeant” or “Sergeant” Pay grade is E-5
Rank Recognition Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Chevron of 5 stripes with star Addressed as “Technical Sergeant” or “Sergeant” Pay grade is E-6
Rank Recognition Senior Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO)
Rank Recognition Master Sergeant (MSgt) Chevron of 6 stripes with star Addressed as “Master Sergeant” or “Sergeant” Pay grade is E-7
Rank Recognition Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Chevron of 7 stripes with star Addressed as “Senior Master Sergeant” or “Sergeant” Pay grade is E-8
Rank Recognition Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) Chevron of 8 stripes with star Addressed as “Chief Master Sergeant” or “Chief” Pay grade is E-9
Rank Recognition – Special Positions First Sergeant (1st Sgt)
Rank Recognition – Special Positions Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCM)
Rank Recognition – Special Positions Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)
Rank Recognition Company Grade Officers (CGO)
Rank Recognition Second Lieutenant (2d Lt) Wears 1 gold bar Addressed as “Second Lieutenant” or “Lieutenant” Pay grade is O-1
Rank Recognition First Lieutenant (1st Lt) Wears 1 silver bar Addressed as “First Lieutenant” or “Lieutenant” Pay grade is O-2
Rank Recognition Captain (Capt) Wears 2 silver bars connected Addressed as “Captain” Pay grade is O-3
Rank Recognition Field Grade Officers (FGO)
Rank Recognition Major (Maj) Wears 1 gold oak leaf Addressed as “Major” Pay grade is O-4
Rank Recognition Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Wears 1 silver oak leaf Addressed as “Lieutenant Colonel” or “Colonel” Pay grade is O-5
Rank Recognition Colonel (Col) Wears one silver eagle Addressed as “Colonel” Pay grade is O-6
Rank Recognition General Officers (GO)
Rank Recognition Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Wears 1 silver star Addressed as “Brigadier General” or “General” Pay grade is O-7
Rank Recognition Major General (Maj Gen) Wears 2 silver stars Addressed as “Major General” or “General” Pay grade is O-8
Rank Recognition Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Wears 3 silver stars Addressed as “Lieutenant General” or “General” Pay grade is O-9
Rank Recognition General (Gen) Wears 4 silver stars Addressed as “General” Pay grade is O-10
Rank Recognition – Special Positions
Rank Recognition Army/Marines
Rank Recognition Navy/Coast Guard
Identifying Officers Service Cap Rendering Courtesies Identifying Officers Service Cap 2d Lt - Capt Maj - Col All Generals
Identifying Officers Flight Cap ABU Cap Rendering Courtesies Identifying Officers Flight Cap ABU Cap
Rendering Courtesies Identifying Officers ABUs Service Uniform
Rendering Courtesies Saluting
Special Considerations Rendering Courtesies Saluting Special Considerations
Special Considerations Rendering Courtesies Saluting Special Considerations
Entering a Military Installation Rendering Courtesies Saluting Entering a Military Installation
Rendering Courtesies Saluting Staff Cars
Rendering Courtesies Saluting U.S. Flag
Rendering Courtesies Reveille and Retreat
The National Anthem and To the Colors Rendering Courtesies The National Anthem and To the Colors
Ruffles and Flourishes Rendering Courtesies Ruffles and Flourishes
Rendering Courtesies Pledge of Allegiance
General Courtesies Air Force Song Other Service Songs Individual Courtesies Manners Appropriate Titles Gossip
General Courtesies Professionalism Position of Honor Senior Officer Enters Proper Telephone Etiquette
Reporting Procedures Entrance Procedures Prepare mentally and physically Knock once on the door When told to enter, use the most direct route and march at attention Position yourself centered to within two paces of the desk
Reporting Procedures Reporting Procedures Once centered and halted at attention, salute, and render a reporting statement Hold salute until it is returned Remain standing at attention until given direction
Reporting Procedures Departure Procedures Once you have been dismissed, resume the position of attention and salute Once the senior ranking officer returns your salute, drop yours Execute the appropriate facing movement and exit using the most direct route
Customs and Courtesies Definitions Rank Recognition Rendering Courtesies General Courtesies Reporting Procedures