Take Air Force customs, courtesies to heart

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Kennneth Girty
  • 18th Air Refueling Squadron
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Ask most people what customs and courtesies are, and you might get a myriad of answers.

I define customs as things people do in a particular way by tradition, and courtesy as politeness showing good manners or consideration for other people.

As children, we are taught to show respect and be polite to those older than us or in places of authority such as parents, grandparents, teachers and so on. As we grow older, we teach this tradition to younger people around us, and for some of us, to our own children.

As members of the U.S. Air Force, we all need to be familiar with proper customs and courtesies to set the example daily and show respect for each other. Extending the proper customs and courtesies should be commonplace as these actions also demonstrate a high level of professionalism and respect for the military way of life.

Although customs and courtesies, especially the salute, are signs of politeness, they go even further to promote morale, esprit de corps, discipline and mission effectiveness. They lay a foundation ensuring respect for the chain of command. Each salute you render says you are a proud member of the Air Force.

If you find yourself in uniform and outside at reveille or retreat, you must face the flag and salute. When you hear the first note of the national anthem or "To the Colors," come to the position of attention, face the flag, or the sound of the music if the flag is not visible, and salute. Hold it until the last note of the music is played. When in civilian clothes, face the flag or the sound of the music and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart.

Vehicles in motion should come to a stop at the first note of the music and the occupants should sit quietly until the music ends.

If indoors during retreat or reveille, there is no need to stand or salute. However, everyone must stand during the playing of the national anthem before a movie begins at the base theater. When listening to a radio or watching television, no specific action is necessary. Additionally, a folded flag is considered cased; therefore, it is not necessary to salute or continue saluting.

In salutes exchanged between senior and junior officers or between officers and enlisted members, the junior member always salutes the senior person first. When returning or rendering an individual salute, the head and eyes are turned toward the person saluted. The junior member should initiate the salute in time to allow the senior officer to return it.

To prescribe an exact distance for all circumstances is not practical, but good judgment indicates when salutes should be exchanged. A superior carrying articles in both hands need not return a salute, but should render a verbal greeting. If the junior member is carrying articles with both hands, verbal greetings should be exchanged.

When an officer's vehicle is occupied and clearly marked with a white top or placard on the front bumper, a salute should be rendered. For safety purposes, some areas such as the flight line and other areas are marked "No Hat, No Salute."

A salute is not generally expected when both military members are in civilian attire. However, the new Air Force physical training attire is considered an official uniform. When approached by a higher-ranking military officer dressed in blues, a battle dress uniform or a flightsuit, a salute should be rendered. Salutes are not rendered indoors except for formal reporting or ceremonies.

A good rule of thumb to remember is any Airman, NCO or officer identifying the need to salute or return a salute may do so anywhere at any time. When in doubt, salute -- you can't go wrong by rendering the proper courtesy.

Remember to practice what's written in Air Force Manual 36-2203. Although it is the Air Force guideline for drill and ceremonies, it includes everything you need to know on rendering these Air Force customs and courtesies.