MILITARY CUSTOMS

AND
MILITARY TRADITIONS

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

INSTRUCTORS PROFILE

Sgt Michelle Acoril PA (Res)

Bachelor of Arts in Literature Major in

Literature and Cultural Studies

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

 SAFETY PLANS

• In case of fire or earthquake,

students should not panic and
will utilize the front/any available
exit doors for exit.

• In case of emergency,
students will follow the escape
routes as prescribed by the
evacuation plan if available.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

 CLASSROOM RULES

• Students
• Mobile phones questions will be
should either raised during or
be switched after each delivery
off or in silent of the lesson by
mode. raising their hand.

• Students who • Students who will

are sleepy can attend personal
proceed at the necessity may go
back and out silently.
have some
stretching.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

01 Definition of Custom and Tradition
02 Significant Military Customs
03 Significant Military Traditions

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

REFERENCE:
• FC 1-012 AFP CODE OF ETHICS; FC 8-039
Army NCO Guide
•FC 1-012 Code of Ethics; AFPRG 131-031 “AFP
Uniform Code”

Honor. Patriotism.
MILITARY TRADITION

• These are the inherited

principles, standards, and
practices that serve as the
established guides for all
Military Personnel.

Honor. Patriotism.
SIGNIFICANT MILITARY TRADITIONS

• Tradition of Valor
• Tradition of Duty
• Tradition of Honor
• Tradition of
Solidarity
• Tradition of Loyalty
Honor. Patriotism.
Tradition of Valor
• The Filipino soldier has epitomized valor
during galiant defense at Bataan and
Corregidor against the Japanese Forces.
•A tribute by Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur
when he proclaimed: “GIVE ME 20,000
FILIPINO SOLDIERS AND I’LL CONQUER
THE WORLD.”

Honor. Patriotism.
Tradition of Duty
• The Filipino Soldier has exemplified himself
throughout history as a dedicated public
servant who performed tasks with a deep
sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice.

Honor. Patriotism.
Tradition of Honor
• The founding fathers of AFP as well as the
nation has 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.

Honor. Patriotism.
Tradition of Solidarity
• Unity
- Work together through thick and thin
- Work as a part of the team
- Partner of the people to attain national
objectives.

Honor. Patriotism.
Tradition of Loyalty
• Loyalty shown to
- The nation
- The constitution
- The Commander-in-Chief
- Seniors
- Peers
- Juniors
Honor. Patriotism.
SIGNIFICANT MILITARY CUSTOMS

• These are the accepted

practices realized through
continued usage that take the
force and effect of a common
law.

Honor. Patriotism.
 MILITARY COURTESY
AND DISCIPLINE (MCD)

MILITARY COURTESY
Acts of politeness, civility and
respect that a personnel in the
military organization accord to one
another.

It is of vital importance in
promoting and developing a
proper “Esprit de Corps” (Team
Spirit).
ADDRESSING OFFICERS
SENIORS
• Use the word “SIR/MA’AM” before and after their
statement.
JUNIORS
• Address juniors by proper titles and names to
promote subordination and respect.
• Refrain calling your subordinates by nickname.
• Formally speaking to subordinates is never wrong,
whereas when you speak to your men informally,
you run the risk of being too familiar to them and
you are liable to compromise your position.
PROPER APPROACHES:
Asking Questions.
“Ma’am/Sir request permission to ask a question ma’am/sir.”

Answering Questions.
“Ma’am/Sir request permission to answer your question ma’am/sir”

Interrupting officers talking or doing something.

“Ma’am/Sir request permission to interrupt ma’am/sir.”

If you want to share some of your ideas or will talk about something.
“Ma’am/Sir request permission to make a statement ma’am/sir.”

If your senior ask you to do some works, this is what you will say first.
“Ma’am/Sir request permission to proceed ma’am/sir.”

When in a hurry and you wish to pass an officer from behind.

“Ma’am/Sir request permission to go ahead ma’am /sir.”

If senior ask you some questions and you don’t know the answer.
“Ma’am /Sir I will try to find out the answer ma’am /sir.”
 Salute

• Men of arms execute salute

as an exchange of
greeting, courtesy and
respect among themselves.

Honor. Patriotism.
 ENTITLED TO SALUTE
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS COMMISSIONED OFFICERS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
(BOTH MALE & FEMALE) OF (BOTH MALE & FEMALE (OF THE OF THE PHILIPPINES
THE AFP ARMED FORCES OF ALLIED
NATIONS
2019 2020 2021

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

 ENTITLED TO SALUTE

FOREIGN DIGNITARIES SECRETARY OF NATIONAL

DEFENSE

2020 2021

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

 5 TYPES OF SALUTE

1. HAND SALUTE
2. GUIDON SALUTE
3. SWORD SALUTE
4. RIFLE SALUTE
5. GUN SALUTE
• When reporting to an officer indoor/outdoor, a
salute is rendered approximately 3 paces distance.
• Indistance
• Saluting distance is the leaving of
anrecognition
officer if a conversation
and takes place,
you
is usually rendered when have
the to render
person a salute.
to be saluted
is 6 paces away.
Honor. Patriotism. Duty.
WHEN TO SALUTE

• On and Of Military Installations, during and

non-office hours.
• When Reporting
• In leaving an officer, if the conversation
takes place
• In making courtesy calls
• To honor the national anthem and colors.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

GENERAL RULES FOR SALUTING
• Saluting distance is the distance of recognition and
is usually rendered when the person to be saluted
is 6 paces away.
• When reporting to an officer indoor/outdoor, a
salute is rendered approximately 3 paces distance
• In making reports, the person reporting salutes first
regardless of rank.
• It is rendered at a halt or a walk. If running or
jogging came to walk first before saluting.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.
GENERAL RULES FOR SALUTING
• When in group, not in formation all will rise and
salute.
• The salute must be acknowledge by those entitled to
it.
• When in formation only the commander salutes
• When reporting to an officer indoor, an unarmed
soldier removes his headgear before entering, halts at
about 2 paces from the officer salutes and reports.
• A soldier under arms, when reporting to an officer
indoor, follow the above procedure except that the
headgear is not removed, when carrying a rifle salute
at order arms, otherwise the hand salute is given.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

 WHEN NOT TO SALUTE
• When troops are at work.
• Indoors, except when reporting to an officer.
• When carrying articles with both hands, or being so occupied
as to make saluting impracticable.
• When meeting or serving as military prisoner.
• Standing next to horse or leading a horse.
OTHER FORMS OF COURTESY
• Avoid undue familiarity with your senior officers even
when they seem to encourage you.
• When walking with the senior, walk on his left and try
to keep in step with him.
• The most senior enter the cars last, and gets out
ahead of others.
• When in a hurry, and you wish to pass an officer
from behind, salute and ask permission to go
ahead.
• The word “I wish” or “I Desire” are to be taken as
orders.
Flag Raising Ceremony
The Filipino soldier honors the flag by raising it
before the start of the official day’s work to
pledge that all his efforts for the day is
dedicated to God, country and people.

Honor. Patriotism.
HONORS TO THE COLORS/ANTHEM

OUTDOOR
• At the first note, all personnel present will face the source of the music and
stand at attention render salute until the last note of the music.
• Vehicles in motion are brought to halt. Persons riding in cars, motorcycles
will dismount and salute. Troops aboard the vehicle need not embark but
shall remain seated at attention and do not salute. The on-in-charge of the
vehicle should dismount and be the one to render salute.
HONORS TO THE COLORS/ANTHEM

INDOOR

• When the national anthem is played indoors military personnel will stand at
attention and face the music on the flag if one is present, they will not salute
unless underarms.
 DISPLAY OF THE FLAG
• When hoisted at the flagpole it should be hoisted fully at
the top of the pole, blue part above.
• When the flag is displayed with other flag, the national
flag is in the right side.
• When displayed on walls, red at the right side as seen
when you are facing the flag.
• When displayed on a horizontal position, the triangle is at
the right side with the blue part up.
• When displayed over the casket, the triangle in the
direction of the head of the cadaver with the blue part on
the right side.
 The Retreat Ceremony
– The sounds of the evening gun during a combined
ceremonial parade and retreat ceremony constitute one
of the inspiring customs of the service. Military
personnel in camps or garrisons pause for a moment
either to salute the Nation’s’ Flag or sing the National
Anthem.

Honor. Patriotism.
 The Three Volleys
Over Graves

• This is a sign of respect

and gesture tendered
to a departed
comrade-in-arms.

Honor. Patriotism.
 The White Flag of Truce

A worldwide custom used to signal the temporary

cessation of hostilities between warring parties.

Honor. Patriotism.
 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.

Honor. Patriotism.
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.

Honor. Patriotism.
 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.

Honor. Patriotism.
 Courtesy of the Post
• 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.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

 • Welcome/Farewell Tendered to a
Newly Assigned/Departing Officer

– A newly assigned officer is tendered a

welcome party while prior to the departure
of an officer from his station on a change of
assignment, a farewell party is tendered.

Honor. Patriotism.
 SIGNIFICANT MILITARY CUSTOMS

Ceremony Rendered to a Retiree - This is tendered to a

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

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 signal by each
call.
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.

Honor. Patriotism.
 COURTESY CALL
The following are some of the significant courtesy calls in the military:

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.
Newly promoted officers customarily call on their Major Service
Commanders. This is usually done in groups of the same rank.

Honor. Patriotism.
 MILITARY CUSTOMS

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.

- Calls on the Major Service Commanders are usually

accompanied by some form of arrival and departure
honors.

Honor. Patriotism.
 MILITARY CUSTOMS

Happy Hour - This is a special form of unit officer

comradeship which had been developing and spreading
in recent years.

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.

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.

Honor. Patriotism.
 MILITARY CUSTOMS

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.

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.

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.

Honor. Patriotism.
 MILITARY CUSTOMS

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.

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.

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.

Honor. Patriotism.
THAT ENDS MY
PRESENTATION

THANK YOU!!!

Honor. Patriotism.