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Custom of Service

1. Introduction. Custom of Service provides the basic correct guidelines in

conformity with the accepted norms. This helps in molding the attitude and actions in
line with the rich traditions and Pakistan Army's expectations. It is helpful at any stage of
service, young officers in particular. The norms & customs GSP-1955 teaches are
otherwise helpful for anyone to become gentlemen.

2. Aim. To acquaint brother officers about custom of service in Pakistan army.

3. Sequence

a. General matters
b. Saluting
c. .Mess customs
d. Sociability and manners
e. .Financial Matters
f. Dealing with other ranks
g. Do’s/do not’s
h. Conclusion

3. General Matters

a. Role Model. An officer is a role model for the men to emulate. His actions, words,
behavior and attitude are subjected to minute observation and discussions by his
men whom he commands in peace and in war. An officer, therefore has to weigh
carefully before he say or do something to avoid embarrassment to himself and to
system.

b. Conduct Expected of an Officer. A very high standard of behavior and bearing is

expected of an officer at all times and places. Civilian judges the Army by the
behavior of its members. Likewise other ranks follow the example of their officers

c. Loyalty to the Corps/Regiment/Unit. Never let down your Corps/Regiment Unit or

your brother officers. But, at the same time this. Loyalty shouldn’t be misused to
cover up the wrong doings and serious lapses

d. Professional Knowledge and Study.

(1) Equip yourself with Training manuals and other Military rules and regulations
and try to constantly improve upon your professional knowledge. You can
always buy basic military pamphlets.

(2) Strive to improve your educational qualifications wherever possible. Computer is

the best modern day technology. Learn and make use of it at your earliest. It
would help you in your career.
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(3) When in doubt always seek advice of those who are more knowledgeable and
experienced.

e. Physical Fitness. Maintain and promote your health. Be conversant with the
fundamental principles of hygiene. Prevention is better than cure. Take precautions
against diseases and exercise regularly.

4. Saluting

a. Greetings. It is an old custom of service for officers to greet one another on seeing
first time at day’s start. It’s the responsibility of the junior officer to greet first by saying
“Assalam o Alaikum, Sir” for Muslim officers, and “Good Morning Sir” for Non-Muslim
officers. While saluting, following should be kept in mind.

(1) Salute is an obligation not a choice.

(2) Salute among equal ranks is obligatory for junior to senior.

(3) Mode of salute and return, differ according to loc, activity and dress.

(4) Shaking hand as part of greeting is a matter of choice and its initiative lies with
the senior

b. Other Compliments

(1) Always salute officer of Navy, Airforce and civil government who are senior or
equal to you in ranks.

(2) AFNS officers are subordinates and therefore a salute is not required.

(3) During National Anthem, stand to attention and salute, if in uniform.

(4) Do not shake hand or embrace a senior, it is his privilege.

(5) While greeting ladies, they should be addressed as ‘Bhen’ or Mrs XYZ.

5. Mess Customs

a. Purpose

(1) Home for dinning members, both permanent and temporary.

(2) Gives homage to nourish the social life.

b. Value of messes

(1) A source of convenience for officers.

(2) Essential for young officers in their upbringing.

(3) Provide homely atmosphere for rest and recreation.

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(4) Place of mental peace

c. Mess life

(1) Preserve dignity and decorum of your mess. Its not only your home but a place
of displaying your trophies and traditions of unit.

(2) Ensure comfort of other members

(3) Use polite and sober language

(4) Politics shouldn’t be discussed

(5) Senior offr is responsible among a gathering

d. Dress

(1) Be properly dressed

(2) Officer must possess complete mess dresses

e. Courtesies

(1) Give respect to senior officers, wish them but don’t be too formal.

(2) Junior officers should not feel shy while entering into senior officers
discussions.

(3) Stand up while speaking to a senior or spoken by a senior, if he is standing.

(4) While changing the channel or turning off the radio or TV satellite, must ask
senior before doing it so.

f. Mess bills

(1) Pay mess bills in due date

(2) If cannot inform concern authorities

(3) Mess expenditures must be well regulated

6. Socialability and manners

a. On Marriage. When an officer gets married in an Army family, his wife is already
accustomed and familiar with this life style. There is no adjustment required.
However, marrying in some different social background, some sort of guidance is
considered necessary. Newly wed couples are welcomed by arranging a dinner in
their honor.
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b. An officer can marry Muslim lady having foreign nationality.

c. Marrying lady of other religion is not recommended.

d. Marriage with Indians is forbidden.

7. Financial Matters

a. Cheques. An officer never writes a cheque for more than what he has in bank. A
dishonored cheque is a disgrace and a serious offence. Never on any account,
issue or sign a blank cheque. Always make foolproof arrangements with your
bankers before issuing an advance cheque.

b. Account

(1) Soon on arrival in a station, open an account with some good bank and
intimate all concerns.

(2) On posting out of a station, remember not to close your account in the bank of
previous station till you start receiving your salary in the bank account of new
station.

(3) Keep your cheque books under lock & keys. Do not forget to fill in the
counterfoils of your cheques. This affords an excellent means of keeping a
running balance.

(4) When the bank sends you statement of your account, once a month, see that it
agrees with your counterfoils and accounts.

8. Dealing With other ranks

a. Relation with Troops. Be fair and firm in your dealings with JCOs/NCOs and OR.
Address them correctly in military manner.

b. Knowing your Men. Get to know your men individually, with their names and
family background. Diaries may be maintained for this purpose. There is no better
way of doing this, than by organizing and joining in regimental and sub-unit games
and recreations.

c. NCBs. Don’t use your NCB’s for menial jobs. Give him duties that are in keeping
with the dignity of a man.

9. Do’s and Dont’s

a. Do’s

(1) DO offer your prayers regularly.

(2) DO recite & understand The Holy Quran.

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(3) DO fulfill your obligations towards your parents.

(4) DO help the needy amongst jawans without giving it publicity.

(5) DO visit patients in CMH even when your are not acting as duty officer.

b. Don’ts

(1) DON’T use foul language against subordinates.

(2) DON’T find faults unnecessarily.

(3) DON’T forget that career of subordinates can be seriously damaged by a

mistake on your part.

(4) DON’T punish a first time offender on minor charge.

(5) DON’T deny privilege to your subordinates.

(6) DON’T discuss official Service matters with anyone including your wife.

(7) DON’T hurt the ego and respect of others.

10. Conclusion. Armies born and withstand on the basis of character and attitude of its
personnel. Custom of service is a hallmark of any military of the world. It defies the
character of an Army. The armies having their firmly practiced norms, customs and laws
become undefeatable in longer run. Pakistan Army holds an honorable merit in the list
of world’s best armies. The Army carries a worthy set custom of service and manual of
laws, which are being practiced efficiently.