CUSTOMS &

TRADITION IN
UNIFORM SERVICE
Introduction
•Like military customs, the BJMP has also developed and
institutionalized customs and tradition similar to practices
observed in the military. Foremost of these are saluting business,
honor and ceremonies, and other courtesies commonly observed
in the military.
• Having limited understanding of our customs might put
every jail officer at a risk of discourtesy and disrespect to
authorities and senior officers as this is the main concern of the
subject matter.
DIFFERENT CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS IN THE DIFFERENT
CEREMONIES OBSERVED IN THE BJMP

•CHRISTMAS CALL – BJMP members shall render a Christmas Call

on their local executives and commanders in their respective areas of
responsibility.
• NEW YEAR’S CALL – BJMP members shall render a New Year’s
Call on their unit head. On this occasion, they are usually given due
recognition and congratulation by their peers for such accomplishment.
• EXIT CALL – BJMP members pay an Exit Call on their superiors in
the unit or office when relieved or reassigned out of the said unit or
office.
• COURTESY OF THE HOST – The host unit extends hospitality to
visiting personnel who pays respect to the unit or office.
• RANK HAS ITS OWN PRIVILEDGE (RHIP) – BJMP members recognize the
practice that different ranks carry them corresponding
CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES:
• FLAG RAISING CEREMONY – The BJMP members honor
the flag by raising it and singing the National Anthem before
the start of the official day’s work every Monday.

• FLAG RETREAT CEREMONY – At the end of the official

day’s work every Friday, the BJMP neurological services and
graveside honors as a gesture of farewell.

• CEREMONY TENDERED TO RETIRING OFFICERS – In

recognition of their long, faithful and honorable service to the
BJMP, a testimonial activity is tendered in their honor.
•HONOR CEREMONY- Arrival and departure honor ceremonies are
rendered to visiting dignitaries, VIPs, BJMP Officers with the grade
of Chief Superintendent and above AFP, PNP, BFP, and other
uniform officers of equivalent grade, unless waived.
• TURN-OVER CEREMONY- The relinquishment and assumption of
office or key position is publicly announced in a Turn-over ceremony
by the outgoing and incoming officers in the presence of the
immediate superior or his representative.
• WEDDING CEREMONY – during marriage of BJMP members, a
ceremony is conducted in a Wedding Ceremony.
• ANNIVERSARY- The birth or institutional establishment of the
BJMP is commemorated in a Anniversary Ceremony every first of
July.
BJMP CUSTOMS ON SOCIAL DECORUM

• PROPER ATTIRE- BJMP members shall always wear a appropriate proper attire
in conformity with the occasion.
• TABLE MANNERS- BJMP members shall observe table etiquette at all times.
• SOCIAL GRACES- BJMP members shall conduct themselves properly in
dealing with people during social functions.
• UNIFORM/APPEARANCE- The public looks upon a BJMP member as
distinctively a person among peers. It is a welcome sight when the BJMP
members wear their uniform properly wherever they may be. Since discipline
among BJMP members is best exemplified by those who are neat in
appearance and wearing the prescribed uniform, they must therefore closely
observe the following:
• Wearing of the prescribed uniform.
• Wearing as part of the uniform, awards, and decorations earned in accordance with
prescribed rules and regulation.
• Adherence to hair-cut prescribed by rules and regulations.
• MANNER OF WALKING – every BJMP member is expected to walk with pride
and dignity.
HISTORY OF SALUTE

• Some historians believe the hand salute began in late Roman times
when assassinations were common. A citizen who wanted to see a
public official had to approach with his right hand raised to show that
he did not hold a weapon. Knights in armor raised visors with the right
hand when meeting a comrade. This practice gradually became a way
of showing respect and, in early American history, sometimes involved
removing the hat. By 1820, the motion was modified to touching the
hat, and since then it has become the hand salute used today. You
salute to show respect toward an officer, flag or our country.
WHEN TO SALUTE:
1. To uncase National Color outdoors.
2. On ceremonial occasions such as changes of command or funerals.
3. At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the
flag.
4. During the sounding of honors.
5. When turning over control of formations.
6. When rendering reports.
7. To officers of friendly foreign countries.
8. Salute is rendered by a Junior Officer to a Senior Officer the first hour of
meeting during the day;
9. Salute is rendered during on and off office hours; in and off military
installation.
10.Salute must be returned by those entitled to it.
11.As a general rule or in the absence of specific instruction, salute shall be
always rendered.
WHEN NOT TO SALUTE
1. Indoors, unless reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.
2. A prisoner.
3. Saluting is obviously inappropriate. In any case not covered specific
instructions, render the salute.
4. When carrying articles on both hands, making salute and impractical.
5. When carrying heavy or delicate things.
6. When undergoing fatigue works.
7. When driving, riding a fast moving vehicle.
8. When in public places, and places of divine worship.
9. When attending socials.
OTHER COURTESIES THAN
THE SALUTE
1. When accompanying a senior Officer – Junior stays at the lef
2. When escorting a lady – Danger side
3. When the mess hall – paluwag ( Stop eating, invite the officer to join)
4. When at the classroom – who notice the presence of the Officer, call the
class to attention or when the lecturer does not want to be disturbed in
the presentation of the lesson, just continue. But in case of a General
Officer bring the class to attention.
5. When at the gymnasium – invite the officer to join, if the Officer intend to
join one should give way to the officer.
6. When boarding and unloading a vehicle the most junior board first and
senior last and the reverse in unloading.
 OTHER SIMPLE BUT VISIBLE SIGNS OF RESPECT AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
a. When talking to an officer of superior rank, stand at attention until ordered otherwise
b. When you are dismissed, or when the officer departs, come to attention and salute
c. When speaking to or being addressed a noncommissioned officer of superior rank, stand
at parade rest until ordered otherwise.
d. When an officer of superior rank enters a room, the first soldier to recognize the officer
calls personnel in the room to attention but thus not salute. A salute indoors is rendered
only when reporting
e. When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first soldier to recognize the NCO
calls the room to “At ease”
f. Walk on the left of an officer or NCO of superior rank
g. When entering or exiting a vehicle, the junior ranking soldier is the first to enter, and the
senior in rank is the first to exit
h. When outdoors and approached by an NCO, you greet the NCO by saying, “Good
morning, Sergeant,” for example.
i. The first person who sees an officer enter a dining facility gives the order “At ease,”
unless a more senior officer is already present. Many units extend this courtesy to senior
NCOs, also.
j. When you hear the command “At ease” in a dining facility, remain seated, silent and
continue eating unless directed otherwise.
IDENTIFY AND RECOGNIZE PERSONS WHOM TO
SALUTE

1.Commissioned Officer of the AFP, PNP, BJMP, BFP, national

Flag, Colors, and standard not cased
2.Officers of foreign Armed Forces whose government is
recognized by the Republic of the Philippines.
3.All civilians who are entitled by the customs to the salute
PROPER WAY OF
SALUTING
1. Except when walking one should always be at attention when saluting.
The right hand is raised smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the
lower part of the headgear or forehead and slightly to the right.
2. Thumb and finger are extended and joined. The palm is turned slightly in
front of the body. The forearm is inclined at 45 degrees angle and the
hand and wrist are in strait line.
3. The first position of the hand salute or the nearest point of approach is
more or less six paces. The first position of the salute should be held
until the person saluted to have passed or the salute is returned.
4. The hand salute is accompanied by a word of greeting “good morning
sir/mam” depending on the time of the day.
5. Naval custom permits saluting with the left hand when a salute cannot be
rendered by the right hand.
MAJOR FAULT IN SALUTING
1.Bowing the head as the salute is given.
2. Dropping the hand salute before it has been
returned.
3.Holding the hand awkwardly high or letting it sag too
low.
4.Saluting while on double time.
5.Avoiding the gaze of the person saluted.
6.Saluting with pipe, cigar, or cigarette in mouth or in
hand.