HEADQUARTERS

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS

SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

AFP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

I. Overview

The importance of customs and traditions to the AFP cannot be over-emphasized for the
continued use of desirable practices long accepted by our predecessors provide a reserve of
strength that cannot be obtained from new approaches that still require testing. Customs that are
deeply cherished provide a simplification of lifestyles and serve to inspire us to emulate our
honorable predecessors.

II. Learning Objectives

1. Define and appreciate the importance of Military Customs and Traditions;

2. Understand and apply military customs and traditions; and
3. Lead to the guiding principles, standards and practices to improve normal life.

III. Discussion/Lesson Proper

Definition of Terms:

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

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

3. Military Traditions – the following are the significant military traditions:

a. Tradition 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 soldiers and I’ll conquer the world”.

b. 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. He has made himself a distinct professional by devoting 24 hours a day to
his job whenever the situation demanded.

c. Tradition of Honor – the founding fathers of the AFP as well as 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, the were known for

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

having treasured honor more than life itself when they consistently offered supreme
sacrifice to win their freedom and keep it by refusing to yield to the glitter of gold offered
by their former colonizers.

d. Tradition of Solidarity - Unity is the strongest, most enduring and powerful military
tradition. It is a 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 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.

e. 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 to the nation, the Constitution, the Commander-in-
Chief, and also to his juniors.

f. Tradition of Discipline - In order to develop discipline within an organization the leader

must set the example of discipline. Since the unit you command is only a part of a larger
force, or of Army, you must execute objectives or missions that reach you as orders from
your own superior officers’ worth centavo of the taxpayer’s peso. An undisciplined Army
would be worse than useless for it would constitute a public menace in itself. The
tradition of discipline is as deeply ingrained into the mind and heart of the successful
officer as the tradition of leadership.

g. Tradition of Readiness - One of the most striking qualities of the Army officer is that he
or she be in a position of readiness to meet whatever tasks arise, including sudden
leadership in campaign and combat. In the broad sense this means that in the event of
surprise action by a new enemy, the officer takes in welfare. Unless the nation can rely
upon its military leaders to shift their thoughts and actions from a state of peace to the
immediate requirements of war our people are being are being deceived.

h. Tradition of Cooperation - Cooperation is the art of working with others to attain a

common goal. This is a daily expectancy of service duties and it is traditional that co-
cooperation shall be willing and wholehearted. Neither a commander nor a staff officer,
no matter how senior, can” go it alone”. An officer must cooperate with others, and
others must cooperate with him or her. In any staff or any command, the problems for
solution are very likely to involve to or more staff agencies, or a reconciliation of views
between the unit commanders who execute a plan and those who plan it. It takes

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

coordination and cooperation to accomplish a mission. The officer who neglects to

cooperate with others invites failures.

4. Military Customs – the following are some of the significant customs in the AFP:

a. 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 form 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 of today. Whatever the form if 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.

b. 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.

c. The Retreat Ceremony – In our service, it is known to have been the in the 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 or garrisons pause for a moment either
to salute to the nation’s Flag or sing the national Anthem.

d. 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.

e. The White Flag of Truce – A worldwide custom used to signal the temporary cessation
of hostilities between warring partied.

f. The Wearing of Decorations – Military personnel who honorably earned decorations in

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

g. 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.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

h. 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 privilege of
membership, if the stay in the vicinity is extended.

i. Presentation of Recruits to Colors – In most units, it is a ceremony in which recruits

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

j. 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 its place.

k. Ceremony tendered to a Retiree – This is tendered to a military retiree in recognition of

his long, faithful and honorable service to the AFP.

l. Trumpet or Bugle Calls – Trumpet or 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.

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

1) An officer who has been detailed outside of and is rejoining this major service or has
been reassigned to units outside his Major Service customarily calls on his Major
Service Commander.

2) 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 posts or coming back from such
assignments to call on the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of National Defense.

3) 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.

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

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

5) 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.

n. Call of Newly Promoted Generals/Flag Officers - Officers promoted to star ranks call
on the Major Service Commanders, 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.

o. 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.

p. Happy Hour- This is a special form of unit officer comradeship which has been
developing and spreading in recent years. When this is directed, officer gather at their
local club for a light hearted jesting about the vents 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 even to inquire about taking a leave. Behavior and activities conform strictly to
the moral and ethical standards set forth in this code.

q. 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.

r. Patronage of the Officers’ Club and EP’s Club Houses- This custom enables officers
and EP to Spend Their off-duty social and recreational life in said centers.

s. Ceremonies at Holiday Dinners- This is the practice on Christmas and New Year’s
Day, in which Commanding Officers visit troops during meal time prior to the serving of
the meal. The method varies rather widely.

t. Christmas Holiday Entertainment- This is another practice on Christmas, in which

children of the organization are given gifts and entertained. This is jointly organized by
the Chaplain, Special Service Officer or Ladies Club with the band present.

u. Rank Has Its Privileges- Whenever a choice is to be made, such as selection of billets or
quarters or electing means of transportation, the option of selection follows rank, with the
senior given the privilege to select first.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

v. 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.

w. 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
a member of any personnel’s family.

x. “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.

y. Place of Honor- The place of honor is on the right. Accordingly, when a junior walk,
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.

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

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

I. Evaluation
QUIZ

Name: ______________________________________ Score: ______________

Year and Section: _____________________________ Date: ______________

MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND COMAND

True or False: Write on the space provided the word TRUE if the statement is correct; FALSE
if the statement is incorrect.
I.
______1. Traditions are inherited principles, standards and practices that serve as the established
guides for an individual or group. Traditions are accumulated experience and deeds
passed on from generation to generation both in memory and reality.

______2. 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.

_______3. Whenever a choice is to be made, such as selection of billets or quarters or electing

means of transportation, the option of selection follows rank, with the junior given
the privilege to select first.
_______4. The word “Sir” is used in military conversation by the junior officer in addressing
officers.
_______5. 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.
_______6. 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.
_______7. The late General Douglas MacArthur paid tribute to Filipino Soldiery when he
proclaimed: “Give me 1,000 Filipino soldiers and I’ll conquer the world”.
_______8. The place of honor is on the left.
_______9. Military Weddings- They vary only as chaplains of the different churches
incorporate other procedures to add to their color and tone.
______10. The Wearing of Decorations – Military personnel who honorably earned
decorations in the performance of duty, displays them as part of the uniform during
appropriate occasions.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT
Lucban, Quezon

V. References:

Common Module, Student Handbook, Officer Basic Course, Training and Doctrine
Command Philippine Army.

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