MILITARY PROTOCOL AND SOCIAL GRACES

MAJ.
04/13/2018
OUTLINE:
I. MILITARY PROTOCOL/COURTESY/ETIQUETTE
II. SOCIAL GRACES

MILITARY PROTOCOL AND ETIQUETTE

NCOs:
Private – from here to CPL, address as Sgt
PFC
CPL
SGT
Staff Sgt – from here, address as Master
Technical Sgt
Master Sgt
Chief Master Sgt

COs:
2LT/Ensign
1LT – LT JG
CPT/LT SG
MAJ/LT CDR
LTC/CDR
COL/CAPT
BGEN/Commodore
MGEN/ Rear ADMIRAL
LTGEN/Vice ADMIRAL
GEN/ADMIRAL

ADDRESSING COMMANDERS IN COMMO

Ex.
Superintendent, PMA
Attn: AC of S for Personnel

CEREMONIES, SALUTE
 Honoring the flag
o Parades, flag ceremonies, flag retreats, arrival honors (ruffles and flourishes)

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MILITARY PROTOCOL AND SOCIAL GRACES
MAJ.
04/13/2018
SOCIAL GRACES AND ETIQUETTE

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

Courtesy
“Be nice to people on your way up. You will meet them again on the way down.”

 Moral obligation
 An officer’s word or signature is a bond – do keep in mind while endorsing a document
 Honesty – I am honest because I have no reason to be otherwise.
 Truthfulness and precision – I do not know sir, I shall find out and apprise you is better
than misinformation, evasive and impulsive reply.
 Paying up – you cannot use your service status to evade financial obligations.
 Do pay bills in advance if you are going to be out of station when the bill becomes due.
 Lending and borrowing – always frowned upon in services. Do remember to return what
you borrow in time and in pristine condition.
 Good grooming
 First impressions are important
 Neat haircut
 Close shave
 Trimmed fingernails
 Subtle aftershave or cologne

MILITARY COURTESIES

Boats, cars, lifts and aircrafts

 Boat or aircraft-junior officer embarks first and disembarks last.
 Car or lift – senior officer enters first, junior follows.

 Senior officer’s directions

 A senior officer saying ‘I like’ or ‘I desire’ is an order for you.
 If there is any delay apprise him, so that he may allow more time or modify the
directives. Do not keep him hanging.
 Serving a senior officer – dependent on the officer’s personality/character

DRESS ETIQUETTE
 Ask the host/organizer of the event what the dress code is
 Know what formal, semi-formal, casual mean.

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SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
 Invitations
 Formal invitation is an implicit order to attend
 Informal invitation is extended after ascertaining availability and prior notice, in either
case it is an order for the subordinate from the superior.
 Drinking
 There is no custom that an officer must be a heavy drinker
 Drink in moderation, else you become the laughing stock of gatherings
 Do not ask for a second drink. Accept only if the host offers.
 Smoking
o Prohibited

MESS ETIQUETTE AND CUSTOMS

EVERYDAY GOOD MANNERS

Time Management
 Being punctual is a habit to be acquired early in life.
 Being busy is not an acceptable excuse.
 Always be on time for all official functions and arrive before the senior officers and other
VIPs.
 It is impolite to be more than 10 minutes late for a personal party, it is also impolite to be
ahead of time as you might catch the guest unprepared
 When you are late apologize to the host and hostess

Handshake
 Senior always makes the first move.

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