MILITARY CUSTOMS

AND
TRADITIONS

(For Officer Basic Course Students)

SCOPE:

MILITARY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

1. Army Customs and their Importance

2. Rank Has Its Privileges (RHIP)

3. The Newcomer Shall be Well Received

4. Customs in Connection with Sickness and Death

5. Support of Post and Organization Activities

6. Taboos

7. The Army's Bugle Calls

8. Military Traditions
 WHAT DOES CUSTOMS MEANS?

Customs is an established usage. It includes positive actions -

things to do - and taboos - things to avoid doing.
 IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMS
·Continuance of harmonious human relations.
·Customs help establish in the Army a life
which is colorful, interesting and rich with
friends and experiences.
·Smooths the way for harmonious official and
personal relationships.
 CUSTOMS HONORING THE FLAG OR
MILITARY DEAD, OR PAYING RESPECT
TO COMRADES-IN-ARMS
· The Salute · The Raising of the Right
Hand in Taking Oath
· The Evening Gun · The Wearing of
Decorations
· The Flag Raising · The Wearing of Unit
Ceremony Badges or Emblems
· The Retreat Ceremony · The “First” Salute
· The “Sound Off” and · The Three Volleys Over
“Three Cheers” Graves
 RANK HAS ITS PRIVILEDGES (RHIP)

· Although courtesies, customs, and priviledges are

traditional and, indeed historical, they were established
and are honored for personal reasons.
· Rank has no influence on many military matters.
· Priviledges are dividends and rewards for faithful service
and achievements and for having more responsibility than
those of lower rank.
 RHIP
· The Priviledge of Being · New Year’s Call on the
First to Choose CO
· “I Wish” and “I Desire” · How to Obtain an
Appointment with the
CO
· The Place of Honor · Persmission of the First
Sergeant
· Use of the Word “Sir” · The Open-Door Policy
· Departing Before the
Commanding Officer
(CO)
 THE NEWCOMER SHALL BE WELL
RECEIVED

· Reception of a Newly · Reception of a Spouse

Joined Officer
· Receiving Officers of Sister · Birth of a Child
Services
· Military Weddings
 CUSTOMS IN CONNECTION WITH
SICKNESS AND DEATH

·Visiting the Sick

·Death of an Officer or Family Member
·Death of an Enlisted Personnel
 SUPPORT OF POST AND
ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES
· The Officer’s Club and Mess
Active - votes and holds office
Associate - neither votes nor holds office but enjoys
club’s service and facilities
Honorary - same as associate members, usually on non-
dues paying basis
· Attendance at Unit and Orgn Parties sponsored by EP
· Attendance at Athletic Events is Desirable
· Ceremonies at Holiday Dinners
· Farewell Tendered a Departing Officer
 TABOOS
· Uniform must not be defamed · Avoid Praising Your Commander to
His or Her Face
· Never Shrink under Cover to Avoid · “Old Man” to be Spoken with Care
Retreat
· Proffer No Excuses · Avoid “Going over an Officer’s
Head”
· Abstentations by Officer’s Relations · Harsh Remarks are to be Avoided
with EP
· Use of Third Person by Officer is Poor · Avoid Vulgarity and Profanity
Taste
· Servility is Scorned · Never Lean on a Senior Officer’s
Desk
· Never Keep Anyone Waiting · Carrying an Umbrella in Uniform
· Avoid Having People Guess your · NCO Not to Work on Fatigue
Name
 BUGLE CALLS

· First Call · Tattoo

· Reveille · Attention
· Assembly · Church Call
· Mess Call · Taps
· Retreat · Fire Call
· To the Color · First Sergeant’s Call
MILITARY TRADITIONS
· Public Service
· Achieving the Mission
· Leadership
· Loyalty
· Officer’s Words is His or Her Bond
· Discipline
· Readiness
· Taking God Care of Soldiers
· Cooperation
· Being a Lady or Gentleman
· Avoiding Matters of Politics
· Candor in Making Recommendations
 THREE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF
A PROFESSIONAL MILITARY MAN
“The point I wish to make here, and to repeat it for emphasis, is that the
professional military man has three primary responsibilities:
First, to give his honest, fearless, objective, professional military opinion of
what he needs, to do the job the nation gives him.
Second, if what he is given is less than the minimum he regards as essential,
to give his superiors an honest, fearless, objective opinion of the consequences.
Third, and finally, he has the duty, whatever the final decision, to do the
utmost with whatever is furnished.”

GEN. MATTHEW B RIDGWAY, USA