Courtesies, Customs, and Ceremonies

Chester Nimitz believes following customs honors those before

We show our uniqueness through special customs and courtesies

Saluting
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Salute with right hand except when injured, or doing military function, then use left
Sailors must be covered soldiers and airman dont, still salute them if uncovered
Look at the person you are saluting
Hold salute until superior puts his down
If on a phone still put phone down and salute
Still salute if you know the person but they are not in uniform
Salute the Officer of the deck
When in doubt salute
Dont salute when clearly in appropriate i.e. a bus or movie theater

The Address
Officers
- Commanding officer of the ship is always called captian
- Officers in med/dental called doctor
Enlisted Personnel
- Petty officers can be called by their rate or petty officer
- USN E-1 through E-3 called seaman
- Enlisted marines called by rank E-6+ are always full rank
Colors
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First flag salute Feb 14 1778 the French Robuste saluted Joness Ranger
Flag is raised at 0800 and lowered at sunset
Ships at sea do dont observe raising and lowering of colors only docked/moored ships and
shore command
Union is always hoisted on the Jackstaff (Bow)
Ensign is always hoisted on the Flagstaff (Stern)

Morning Colors
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First Call to Orders 755 can be bugle or OOD calling yellow and green pennant raised on ships
800 attention is called the National Anthem/To The colors or silence PREP pennant lowered to
dip
At sea the flag is raised without colors at sunrise

Evening Colors

PREP colors lower to the dip again

Retreat is played and the colors are lowered slowly

Half-Masting
-

Should be immediately lowered if orders say to lower it

When raised/lowered go to top and then lower it to half mast
Union jack is also lowered when the Ensign is lowered

Shifting Colors
-

Switches from jackstaff at port to the gaff at sea

Flags are lowered at the same time as the gaff one is raised
Opposite happens when docking

Shipboard Customs
The Bridge
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There will always be a watch in the bridge Headed by the Officer Of the Deck
Not essential personal must get permission from the OOD to come on deck
Captain is on the bridge is always called when the captain comes on deck

The Quarterdeck
-

Essentially the Bridge when the ship is docked

Location varies but it serves as the entry/exit point
Larges ships might have multiple exits but only one is the quarterdeck

Chester Nimitz
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Class of 1905
One of the 4 fleet admirals
Spent almost two decades in submarines
Was commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet

Alan Shepard
-

Class of 1945
First American in space
Was awarded the congressional medal of honor
1971 appointed as a delegate to the 26 United nations general assembly

James Carter
-

Class 1947
Was the 39th president

Won the Nobel peace prize

Has published 25 books the last was white house diary

James Stockdale
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Class of 1947
Attended flight school and earned his wings
Was shot down over Vietnam and spent 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton
Mutilated his face so that he could not be shown off
Has MOH only 3 star admiral to have wings and MOH

Ross Perot
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Class of 1953
Founded Electronic Data Systems
Funded a rescue during Iran hostage crisis and saved 2 people
Ran for president with Admiral Stockdale

John McCain
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Class Of 1958
Was a pilot in the Navy
Was a prisoner of war in Vietnam
Is a republican senator in Arizona

Roger Staubach
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Class of 1965
Won the Heisman trophy
Won two superbowls with the cowboys
Was elected into the football hall of fame

Wendy Lawrence
-

Class of 1981
Has over 1500 flight hours in helicopters
Taught physics in 1990 at USNA
Went on 4 space missions with 1225 hours in space

Michelle Howard
-

Class of 1982
Served on several ships including USS Lexington
First African American to command a ship
Is the 38 vice chief of Naval operations (first women)

David Robinson
-

Class of 1987
Was college player of the year
Was the first draft pick in 1987
Was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame

Eric Kristensen
-

Class of 1995
Taught at USNA before going to Buds
First assignment he was OIC for seal team 8
Was shot down in a chinook in afganistan