Military Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions

Q. What was added as a requirement to sing whenever the official song of the U.S. Army, "The Army Goes Rolling Along," is performed?

A. The Intro (ALARACT 124/2013)

Q. When you are passing or being passed by colors that are being presented, paraded, or displayed, what should you do?

A. Salute when the colors are six paces from you. Hold the salute until the colors are six paces beyond you. (FM 7-21.13, para 4-23)

Q. What should you do when the flag is raised in the morning to the sound of Reveille?

A. Stand at attention on the first note of Reveille and salute (FM 7-21.13, para 4-21)

Q. When a President or Former President of the U.S. arrives and leaves an army installation, how many gun salute do they get?

A. 21 gun salute, both times (AR 600-25, Table 2-1)

Q. What personnel are included in Full Military Funeral Honors?

A. 9-memberteam (6 pallbearers and/or firing party, a chaplain, and officer and/or NCO in charge, and a bugler (if available). The team serves as pallbearers and the firing party, folds and presents the American flag to the next of kin, and plays "Taps." A member of the decedent's parent military Service will present the flag. (AR 600-25, para 6-15a)

Q. What is the official song of the U.S. Army?

A. "The Army Goes Rolling Along" (AR 600-25, para 3-5)

Q. At the last note of retreat, what will happen?

A. A gun will be fired (if available) on military installations, followed by the playing of the national anthem or sound of "To The Color" (using a drum and bugle corps, a bugler, or recorded music) concurrent with the lowering of the flag. The flag will be lowered to ensure completion at the last note of the music.The same respect will be observed by all military personnel whether the national anthem is played or "To the Color" is sounded. (AR 600-25, para 3-1c)

Q. What might a sloppy salute portray?

A. A sloppy hand salute might mean that you are ashamed of your unit, lack of confidence, or at the very least, that you haven't learned how to salute. (FM 7-21.13, para 4-10)

Q. What is a tradition?

A. A tradition is a customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior held by an identifiable group of people. It is information, beliefs, and customs handed down by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. (FM 7-21.13, para 4.25)

Q. What Army Publications covers Salutes, honors and visits of courtesy?

A. AR 600-25 and FM 7-21.13

Q. What is it customary for all Officers of a unit, organization or installation to do on New Year's Day?

A. Call upon the commanding officer on New Year's Day. The commander may designate a convenient hour and place for receiving such visits or omit the visit if desired. Commanders may exercise the option to have such visits take place on a day other than New Year's Day if deemed more practical. (AR 600-25, para 4-4)

Q. Who will set the time of sounding reveille and retreat?

A. Installation Commanders (AR 600-25, para 3-1a)

Q. Why is the salute not simply an honor exchanged?

A. It is a privileged gesture of respect and trust among Soldiers. The salute is not only prescribed by regulation but also recognition of each other's commitment, abilities, and professionalism. (FM 7-21.13, para 4-7)

Q. Is military courtesy a one-way street? Why?

A. No. Military courtesy is not a one-way street. Enlisted personnel are expected to be courteous to officers and likewise officers are expected to return the courtesy. Mutual respect is a vital part of military courtesy. (FM 7-21.13, para 4-6)

Q. When foreign soldiers are invited by U.S. forces to participate in parades, where will they be positioned?

A. They will be assigned a position of honor ahead of U.S. soldiers. As a special compliment, a small escort of honor composed of U.S. soldiers will precede the foreign soldiers. (AR 600-25, para 3-3a)

Q. During the playing of the Army Song, how will individuals stand?

A. They will stand at attention and sing the lyrics of the Army Song when played. (AR 600-25, para 3-5)

Q. When was "The Army Goes Rolling Along" dedicated by the Secretary of the Army?

A. Veterans Day, 11 November 1956, and officially announced on 12 December 1957 (AR 600-25, para 3-5)

Q. Is an Army personnel in uniform required to salute an officer in the Coast Guard?

A. Yes. (FM 600-25, para 1-5b)

Q. If you recognize an officer in a military vehicle do you salute them?

A. Yes. The practice of saluting officers in official vehicles (recognized individually by rank or identifying vehicle plates and/or flags) is considered an appropriate courtesy and will be observed. (AR 600-25, para 1-5d)

Q. Name three (3) rules for displaying the U.S. Flag?

A. *All Army installations will display the flag of the United States outdoors *Continental United States (CONUS) Army installations will fly only one flag of the United States at a time except as authorized by the commanding generals of major Army commands. *Installations will display the flag daily from reveille to retreat. *When a number of flags are displayed from staffs set in line, the flag of the United States will be at the right; to the left of an observer facing the display. If no foreign national flags are present, the flag of the United States may be placed at the center of the line providing it is displayed at a higher level. *When the flag of the United States is displayed with state flags, all of the states flags will be of comparable size. (FM 7-21.13, para 4-20)

Q. What are the courtesies rendered by individuals during Retreat and To the Color if they are in uniform and in Formation either with or without headgear?

A. *At the first note of Retreat, execute "Parade Rest" at the command of the officer or NCO in charge. Remain at Parade Rest until given "Attention" by officer or NCO in charge. *At the first note of To the Color, execute "Present Arms" at the command of officer or NCO in charge. Execute *"Order Arms" at the command of officer or NCO in charge. (AR 600-25, para C-3, table C-1)

Q. Army traditions are the things that everyone in the Army does, everywhere. Unit traditions are the unique things that you do in your unit that other units may or may not do. Name three unit traditions?

A. *Ceremonial duties. Soldiers of the Old Guard, the 3d Infantry, have been Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1948. *The green berets worn by the Army's Special Forces. *The U.S. Army Airborne Units' Maroon Beret. *Cavalry units' spurs and hats. *Special designations (authorized unit nicknames) such as Cottonbalers, the 7th Infantry Regiment. *Distinctive items of clothing worn in your unit such as headgear, belt Buckles and tankers' boots. *Unit mottos such as "Victory!" or "Send me!" (FM 7-21.13, para 4-27)

Q. The customs of the Army are common law. Name four of these common laws?

A. *Never criticize the Army or a leader in public *Never go "over the heads" of superiors; don't jump the chain of command *Never offer excuses *Never wear a superior's rank by saying something liked, "the 1SG wants this done now," when in fact the 1SG said no such thing. Speak with your own voice. *Never turn and walk away to avoid giving the hand salute *Never run indoors or pretend not to hear (while driving, for example) to avoid standing reveille or retreat. *Never appear in uniform while under the influence of alcohol *If you don't know the answer to a superior's question, you will never go wrong with the response, "I don't know sir, but I'll find out." (FM 7-21.13, para 4-3)

Q. Name four (4) simple but visible signs of respect and self-discipline?

A. *When talking to an officer of superior rank, stand at attention until ordered otherwise. *When you are dismissed, or when the officer departs, come to attention and salute. *When speaking to or being addressed by a noncommissioned officer of superior rank, stand at parade rest until ordered otherwise. *When an officer of superior rank enters a room, the first Soldier to recognize the officer calls personnel to attention but does not salute. A salute is only rendered indoors when reporting. *When an NCO of superior rank enters a room, the first Soldier to recognize the NCO calls the room to "At ease" *Walk to the left of an officer or NCO of superior rank *When entering or exiting a vehicle, the junior ranking Soldier is the first to enter, the senior in rank is the first to exit. *When outdoors and approached by an NCO, you greet the NCO with the greeting of the day by saying, "From the Flames," for example. *When you hear "At ease" in the dining facility, remain seated, silent and continue eating unless otherwise directed. (FM 7-21.13, para 4-16)