1. Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions of Service
Lesson Plan 150-IMT-5001
Click on “Common Curriculum Development Division” to go to the IMT Lesson Share Point Site.

2. AGENDA
Customs, courtesies, and traditions as they relate to military service.
Selected customs and courtesies of the Army.
Position of honor
Correct use of titles
Wear and removal of headgear
Responding to a senior officer’s presence
Execute a hand salute
Report to a senior
Render honors
Social courtesies

3. Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions
What is a Custom?
What is a Tradition?
What is a Courtesy?

4. Mutual Respect
A senior Marine Corps officer came upon a strange sight in a company street one day: a private at rigid attention saluted over and over like a robot, a second lieutenant who stood before him, hands on hips. “What’s going on?” The Marine asked. “This Marine, sir. He neglected to salute me as we passed, and I’ve ordered him to salute one hundred times. “You’re right,” the senior Marine replied, “But you know that an officer must return every salute he receives--now let me see you do your share.”

5. When officers and Soldiers display
military customs and courtesies, they
demonstrate to themselves and others
their commitment to duty, to their
country and colleagues, and their
tradition of service to others.

6. Selected customs and courtesies of the Army
Position of honor
Correct use of titles
Wear and removal of headgear
Arrival and departure of a senior
Execute a hand salute
Report to a senior
Render honors
Social courtesies

7. Position of honor
The higher ranking Soldier stands and walks to the right.
This is true both in formation and walking casually.

8. Correct use of titles
Colonels and lieutenant colonels are addressed as “colonel.”
1st and 2nd lieutenants are addressed as “Lieutenant.”
Sergeants E5-E8 are addressed as “Sergeant.”
First Sergeants (E8 position) are addressed as “First Sergeant.”
Sergeants Major (E9) are addressed as “Sergeant Major.”
Chaplains are addressed as “Chaplain,” regardless of rank.

9. Wear and removal of headgear
Usually remove headgear when indoors.
When under arms (carrying a weapon) will only remove headgear on the following occasions:
Attendance at a court or board.
Places of worship.
Official receptions.

10. Arrival and departure of a senior
If you enter the room and are the senior officer, the first person to see you should call the room to attention. You, then, have three options.
Leave them at attention.
Call, “At ease.”
Call, “Carry on.”

11. Execute a hand salute
The salute is initiated by the subordinate and acknowledged by the superior.
Salute all senior officers, including allies.
Salute official vehicles.
Exceptions to the rule.
In civilian attire
When part of a formation
When part of a work detail
When indoors

12. Report to a senior Reporting indoors Reporting outdoors
Position: two steps from officer’s desk
Greeting: “Sir, Lieutenant Smith reports”
Salute when reporting and when leaving
Reporting outdoors
Position: three steps from officer
Greeting: same

13. Render honors (Outdoors)
National anthem, “Retreat,” “Reveille,” etc.
Face the sound of music and salute
Vehicles stop, if possible
Pledge of Allegiance
In uniform
Remain silent
Salute
In civilian attire
Remove headgear
Right hand over heart
Recite pledge

14. Render honors (Indoors)
National anthem, “To the Colors,” “Hail to the Chief”
Stand at attention
Face the flag
Do NOT salute unless under arms

15. Social courtesies (Attire)
Three types
Formal: Appropriate Dress Uniform
Informal: Suit or Sport Coat
Casual: Slacks, Sport shirt and Sweater
Picnics and similar company events will probably have “sub-casual” dress requirements. Check with your boss.

16. Social Courtesies (Invitations)
Two Types
Formal: Professionally printed and may contain a response card
Informal: Delivered in person, by telephone or by hand-written letter
All responses should be within 24 hours in the same form as the invitation.

17. SOCIAL COURTESIES (Introductions)
When introducing Soldiers, present the junior to the senior
When introducing a lady, present the man to the lady
When introduced to a lady, a male shakes hand only if the lady offers her hand
When introduced to a man, the handshake is expected

18. BACK UP SLIDES