Military Customs and Courtesies

Customs and Courtesies Definitions Rank Recognition Rendering Courtesies General Courtesies Reporting Procedures Overview

Definitions Custom – act or ceremony stemming from tradition Courtesy – written guidance

Airman Insignia Rank Recognition

Airmen Basic (AB) Does not wear any rank insignia Addressed as “Airman Basic” or “Airman” Pay grade is E-1 Rank Recognition

Airmen (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

Junior Noncommissioned Officers 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 Officer 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

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 – Special Positions

Company Grade Officers 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 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 Brigadier GeneralMajor General Lieutenant General General 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

Chaplains and Doctors Rank Recognition – Special Positions

Army / Marines Rank Recognition

Navy/ Coast Guard Rank Recognition

Rendering Courtesies Identifying Officers 2d Lt - Capt Maj - Col All Generals Service Cap

Rendering Courtesies Identifying Officers Flight Cap ABU Cap

Rendering Courtesies Identifying Officers ABUs Service uniform

Rendering Courtesies Saluting

Rendering Courtesies Saluting Special Considerations

Rendering Courtesies Saluting Special Considerations Groups

Rendering Courtesies Staff Cars

Rendering Courtesies U.S. Flag

Rendering Courtesies Reveille and Retreat

Rendering Courtesies Reveille and Retreat

Rendering Courtesies The National Anthem and To the Colors

Rendering Courtesies 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 Individual Courtesies Professionalism Position of Honor Senior Officer Enters Proper Telephone Etiquette

Reporting Procedures Purpose of Reporting Demonstrates respect for senior ranking officers and their position Use formal reporting procedures when told to report to any senior ranking officer

Reporting Procedures Entrance Procedures Prepare mentally and physically Entering When told to enter

Reporting Procedures Reporting Once centered and halted at attention, salute, and render a reporting statement

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 Summary