Military Customs and Courtesies (24C)

What should dictate an exact distance for all circumstances when salutes are exchanged?

Good judgment

Who salutes and acknowledges salutes for those in a formation?

Person in charge of the formation

What is an expression of recognition for one another as members of the profession of arms; representing a personal commitment of self-sacrifice to preserve the American way of life?

Salute

When at a military funeral or memorial in uniform, when is the salute rendered?

Salute the caisson or hearse as it passes and the casket as it is carried past; also salute during the firing of volleys and the playing of Taps

What is a courtesy exchanged between members of the U.S. Armed Forces as both a greeting and a symbol of mutual respect?

Saluting

True or False? Air Force members may be addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am." Chaplains may be addressed as Chaplain or by their ecclesiastical title.

True

True or False? Airmen pay the same respect to the national anthems and flags of other nations as rendered the United States national anthem and flag.

True

True or False? Common acts of courtesy that contribute to a positive, professional working environment include simple things like saying "please" and "thank you" and respecting other people's time.

True

True or False? If more than one person is present when a senior official enters or departs a room, the person who first sees the officer calls the area to attention.

True

True or False? Persons in uniform may salute civilians or senior military members in civilian clothes upon recognition.

True

True or False? Respect, consideration, manners, common sense, and politeness are all ways of demonstrating common acts of courtesy.

True

True or False? Retirees will be addressed by their retired grade on all official records and official correspondence, except for correspondence and other matters relating to a retiree's civilian employment.

True

True or False? Unless told otherwise, or impractical, rise and stand at attention when a senior official enters or departs a room.

True

True or False? When in formation, members do not salute or return a salute unless given the command to do so.

True

True or False? When in the workplace, being helpful, taking and delivering messages, and offering assistance when possible, are demonstrations of consideration for others.

True

When reporting to an officer indoors, after knocking once and entering when told, approximately how many paces from the officer or desk do you halt, salute, and report, "Sir (Ma'am), (rank and last name) reports as ordered," or "Sir (Ma'am), (rank and last name) reports?"

Two

When are salutes rendered indoors?

Formal reporting

Certain individuals who are considered distinguished visitors (DV) are often afforded particular courtesies as a matter of respect, as well as tradition. Who may be defined as a DV?

(1) General or Flag Officer (2) Government official with rank equivalent to a Brigadier General or higher (3) Foreign military officer or civilian designated a DV by the Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (4) Visitor or group designated by the commander

A DV visit is an important event and should be given close attention to detail. What three sources can be accessed for further guidance on responsibilities and proper procedures for DVs?

(a) AFI 34-1201, Protocol (b) AFPAM 34-1202, Guide to Protocol (c) Installation protocol office

What is rendered as a sign of respect to the United States flag and during official ceremonies?

A salute

Which AFI provides details on addressing retirees?

AFI 36-3106, Retiree Activities Program

When in groups, when a senior officer approaches, the first individual noticing the officer calls the group to attention. All members face the officer and salute. What happens if the officer addresses an individual or the group?

All remain at attention (unless otherwise ordered) until the end of the conversation, at which time they salute the officer

If more than one person is present when a senior official enters or departs a room, the person who first sees the officer calls the area to attention. What is an exception to this, in which case, do not call the room to attention?

An officer is already in the room who is equal to or has a higher rank than the officer entering the room

How do military personnel enter automobiles and small boats?

In reverse order of rank: Juniors will enter a vehicle first and take their appropriate seat on the senior's left; the senior officer will be the last to enter the vehicle and the first to exit

How is a salute exchanged among individuals?

Junior member always salutes the senior member first; the junior member should initiate the salute in time to allow the senior officer to return it

When reporting to an officer indoors, how many times do you knock and then enter when told to do so?

Once

When reporting to an officer indoors, after the conversation is completed, what is the appropriate departure?

Execute a sharp salute, hold the salute until the officer acknowledges the salute, perform the appropriate facing movement, and depart

Many installations across the Air Force play Taps to signify "lights out" at the end of the day. For these purposes, the salute is required.

False

True or False? Civilians and civil service employees should be addressed appropriately as "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Miss," or "Ms.," and their first and last name, as well as, "Sir" or "Ma'am."

False

True or False? Exchange of salutes between members in moving military vehicles is not mandatory, except for officers in appropriately marked staff vehicles

False

True or False? Give the senior person, enlisted or commissioned, the position of honor on the left when walking, riding, or sitting. The junior person takes the position to the senior's right.

False

True or False? Individuals carrying articles in both hands (unable to be transferred to the left hand) need not initiate or return the salute when impractical. They just proceed on their way.

False

True or False? It is NOT acceptable to address enlisted members relative to their tier, such as Airman, Sergeant, Chief, as appropriate.

False

True or False? Saluting is not required in areas designated as "no salute" areas, except when a general officer approaches the area.

False

True or False? When in groups, when a senior officer approaches, the first individual noticing the officer calls the group to attention, only he or she faces and salutes the officer.

False

True or False? When outdoors in physical training gear, Airmen are NOT required to salute during reveille and retreat.

False

True or False? For pedestrians, when officer passengers are readily identifiable (for example, officers in appropriately marked staff vehicles), the salute must be rendered. This includes the U.S. President, the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Service Secretaries, and senior officers in vehicles when distinguished by vehicle plates and/or flags.

True

True or False? Salutes are appropriate to the U.S. President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Service Secretaries, all superior commissioned and warrant officers, all Medal of Honor recipients, and superior officers of friendly foreign nations.

True

True or False? Salutes will be exchanged between officers (commissioned and warrant) and enlisted personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as, between U.S. Armed Forces personnel and the Uniformed Services of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Public Health Service, as appropriate.

True

True or False? Saluting individuals due to rank recognition is not required when wearing the physical training gear but may be expected during specified academic training environments.

True

True or False? When attending public gatherings, such as sporting events, meetings, or when a salute would be inappropriate or impractical, salutes between individuals are not required.

True

True or False? When in a work detail, individual workers do not salute. The person in charge of the detail salutes for those in the detail.

True

True or False? When outdoors (outside of a building, on a porch, a covered sidewalk, an entryway, a reviewing stand, or at a bus stop) the salute will be exchanged. This applies both on and off military installations.

True

True or False? While all Air Force personnel are Airmen, it is appropriate to address officers by their grade, such as Lieutenant Colonel, and enlisted members by their grade, such as Master Sergeant.

True

True or False? While not necessary to learn the identifying insignia of the military grades of all nations, Airmen should learn the ranks, grades, and insignia of the most frequently contacted nations, particularly during an overseas assignment or deployment.

True