MILITARY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

(Student Handout)

I. Definition

Traditions - are inherited principles, standards and practices that serve as the
established guides for an individual or group. Traditions are accumulated experiences
and deeds passed on from generation to generation both in memory and reality.

Customs - are accepted practices realized through continued usage that take
the force and effect of a Common Law.

II. Military Traditions:

1. Traditions of Valor - The Filipino soldier has epitomized valor during his
gallant defense at Bataan and Corregidor against the Japanese Forces. The late
General Douglas Macarthur paid tribute to Filipino Soldiery when he proclaimed. “Give
me 10,000 Filipino soldier and I’ll conquer the world”.

2. Tradition of Duty - The Filipino soldier has exemplified himself throughout

history as a dedicated public servant who performed his tasks with a deep sense of
responsibility and self-sacrifice. H has made himself a distinct professional by devoting
24 hours a day to his job whenever the situation demanded.

3. Tradition of Honor - The founding fathers of the AFP as well the nation
have courageously demonstrated even in most difficult times the value of honor by
leading a life in peace or war with personal dignity and self-worth. In history, they were
known for having treasured honor more than life itself when they consistently offered the
supreme sacrifice to win their freedom and keep it by refusing to yield to the glitter of
gold offered by their former colonizers.

4. Tradition of Solidarity - Unity is the strongest, most enduring and powerful

military tradition. It is distinction enjoyed by every member of the AFP, who through
thick and thin worked together, and in the process, nourished pride and feeling of
belonging to the organization. It is the hidden ingredient that bound him in oneness to
the people he served. In every endeavor that the Filipino soldier had undertaken, he
always worked as part of the team, an ally in the accomplishment of the mission, and an
indispensable partner of the people whose support he treasured as vital in the
attainment of national objectives.

5. Tradition of Loyalty - The Filipino soldier has traditionally held the respect
of the nation by shedding much blood and offering the supreme sacrifice in defense of
the country. He has consistently given his loyalty tot he nation, the Constitution, and
also to his seniors, his peers and his juniors.

III. Military Customs: The following are some of the significant customs in the
AFP.

1. Salute - Men of arms have used some form of military salute as an

exchange of greeting since the earliest times. It has been preserved and its use
continued in all modern armed forces, which inherited their military traditions from the
Age of Chivalry. The method of rendering the salute has varied through the ages, as it
still varies in form among the armed forces for today. Whatever the form it has taken it
has always pertained to military men, and its use definitely restricted to those in good
standing. In the Navy, saluting with the left hand is allowed when the right hand is
occupied with something or not available for the execution of the same

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 2. Flag Raising Ceremony - The Philippine Flag symbolizes our country and
people. The Filipino Soldier honors the Flag by raising it with the troops singing the
National Anthem and to the accompaniment of the band before the start of the official
day’s work to pledge that all his efforts for the day is dedicated to his country and
people.

3. The Retreat Ceremony - In our service, it is known to have been in use

during the early days of the American occupation. The sounds of the evening gun
during a combined ceremonial parade and retreat ceremony constitute one of the most
inspiring custom of the service. Military personnel in camps of garrisons pause for a
moment either to salute to the Nation’s Flag or sing the National Anthem.

4. The Three Volleys Over Graves - This is a sign of respect and gesture of
farewell tendered to a departed comrade-in-arms. IN the older days, they did it by
throwing or casting earth three (3) times upon the grave, calling the name of the dead
and saying “Farewell” three times.

5. The White Flag of Truce - A worldwide custom used to signal the

temporary cessation of hostilities between warring parties.

6. The Wearing of Decoration - Military personnel who honorably earned

decorations in the performance of duty, displays them as part of the uniform during
appropriate occasions.

7. The Raising of the Right Hand in Taking Oath - From the earliest days, the
taking of an oath for truth of statement or testimony has been a solemn and serious
matter accompanied by ceremony. In essence, the taker of the oath calls upon his God
to bear witness that the truth would be told.

8. Courtesy of the Post - An officer of any of the armed services visiting at a

military post or one who resides in its vicinity is often extended the “Courtesy of the
Post” by the commanding officer after the prescribed official call has been made. This
may include the privilege of accommodation at the Officer’s Club and Officer’s Mess if
the visit is of short duration and the privilege of membership, if the stay in the vicinity is
extended.

9. Presentation of Recruit to Colors - In most units, it is a ceremony in which

recruits are presented to the color for the purpose of signifying acceptance and
welcome into the organization.

10. Farewell Tendered to a Departing Officer - Prior to the Departure of an

officer from his station on a change of assignment, a reception, or other suitable unit
function, is usually given by the unit’s officers and ladies in honor of the departing officer
and his family. When pressure of work prohibits this nicety, a “Happy Hour” or a simple
get - together takes it place.

11. Ceremony Tendered to a Retiree - This is tendered to a military retiree in

recognition of his long, faithful and honorable service to the AFP.

12. Trumpet or Bugle Calls - Trumpet and Bugle Calls add more distinction
and excitement to the regimented life of military personnel. As the day-to-day activities
bore, the sounds of these calls rejuvenate every system of his body to continue
performing the things as signaled by each call.

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 13. Courtesy Calls - The following are some of the significant courtesy calls in
the military:

a. An officer who has been detailed outside of an organization and

rejoining his major service or has been reassigned to unit outside his Major Service
customarily calls on his Major Service Commander.

b. Upon arrival or prior to departure, officers from overseas missions

or foreign schooling pay a call to their respective Major Service Commanders. It is also
appropriate for officers assuming foreign pots or coming back from such assignments to
call on the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of National Defense.

c. Officers assuming command positions or similar key positions call

on their immediate commanders, including Major Service Commanders. They do the
same prior to a transfer or relief from duty.

d. Newly promoted officers customarily call on their Major Service

Commanders. This is usually done in groups of the same rank.

In some cases, senior officers who are the subject of all these calls may
be extremely busy to attend or receive callers. It is always a sign of courtesy and
goodwill to have manifested an intention to pay such a call.

14. Call of Newly Promoted Generals/Flag Officers - Officers promoted to star

ranks call on the Major Service Commander, Chief of Staff, AFP and the Secretary of
National Defense after taking their oath of office before the Commander-in-Chief.

15. Calls on the Major Service Commanders are usually accompanied by

some form of arrival and departure honors.

16. New Year’s Call on the Commanding Officer - It has been an invariable custom
throughout the AFP that officers make a formal call upon their Commander during New
Year’s Day.

17. Happy Hour - This is a special form of unit officer comradeship which had
been developing and spreading in recent years. When this is directed, officers gather at
their local club for a beer and conversation. Usually held on Fridays, the growing
customs calls for a light hearted jesting about the events of the week, or airing a minor
gripe, and blowing off a little steam, it may also be a time to slip in a judicious request
for a pass or event to inquire about taking a leave. Behavior and activities conform
strictly to the moral and ethical standards set forth in this Code.

18. Military Weddings - These customs are generally the same for all faiths.
They vary only as chaplains of the different churches incorporate other procedures to
add to their color and tone.

19. Patronage of the Officer’s Club and EP’s Club Houses - This custom
enable officers and EP to spend their off-duty social and recreational life in said centers.

20. Ceremonies at Holiday Dinners - this is the practice on Christmas and

New Year’s Day, in which Commanding Officers visit troops during meal time or prior to
the serving of the meal. The method varies rather widely.

21. Christmas Holiday Entertainment - This is another practice on Christmas in

which children of the organization are given gifts and entertained. The Chaplain,
Special Service Officer or Ladies Club with the band present jointly organizes this.

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 22. Rank Has Its Privileges - Whenever a choice is to be made, such selection
of billets or quarters or electing means of transportation, the option of section follow
rank, with senior given the privilege to select first.
23. Visiting the Sick - A military personnel who is sick in the hospital is visited
by available officers and enlisted personnel of the unit in such number as may be
permitted by the doctor or surgeon in charge. An officer or soldier of his unit visits him
in order that his needs are attended to.

24. Survivor Assistance to Bereaved Family - When any member of a unit

dies, an officer is immediately designated by the commanding officer to render every
possible assistance to the bereaved family. A similar courtesy may be tendered, if
desired, in the case of a death of a member of any personnel’s family.

25. “I Wish” and “I Desire” Statement - When the commanding officer states, “I
wish,” or “I desire” rather than “I order that you do such and such, this wish or desire
has all the force of a direct order. Place of Honor - The place of honor is on the right.
Accordingly, when a junior walks, rides, or sits with a senior he takes position abreast
and to the left of the senior, this is akin to the deference, which a young man pays his
elders.

26. Use of the Word “Sir” - The word “Sir” is used in military conversation by
the junior officer in addressing a senior, and by all solders in addressing officers. It
precedes a report, a query, and follows the answer of a question.