Military Customs and Courtesies In the Army and throughout every branch there are certain customs and courtesies that every soldier and military member must follow in order for there to be order and discipline on a daily basis. Customs and courtesies are put in to place to show respect for Non Commissioned Officers and for Officers of all rank. In this essay, I will be writing about the importance of salutes, standing at the correct position when talking to someone higher ranking than yourself, using proper language when talking to someone of a higher rank, where you should walk when walking with someone of a higher rank, as well as other customs and courtesies you find throughout the army and all other branches. A custom is an …show more content…
Salutes are not required when you are indoors unless you are reporting to an officer or when on guard duty or when saluting is obviously inappropriate. It is important to show noncommissioned officers respect as well. You do not salute them; you stand at parade rest when talking to them and address them by their proper rank. The ranks you say when speaking to a noncommissioned officer are Corporal, sergeant, master sergeant, first sergeant and sergeant major. When talking to an NCO, you always finish your sentence with his or her rank. Here is an example: “I do not know the answer but I will find out and let you know Sergeant.” It is simple and easy to remember for most soldiers, while other soldiers need to remind themselves constantly to do this. Another military custom from ancient times states that you should always sit or walk to the left of your superiors. This custom came about in old English times and stems from very old English tradition. The right is known as the “position of honor.” Most people are right handed and back in the time of knights, the majority of knights would hold their sword in their right now and their shield in their left hand.
Aside from just making your individual team look bad it 'll make your whole platoon look bad in the eyes of the rest of the company. They will see a team leader having a hard time with his soldier and the only thought that will be going through their mind is “look at how that platoon is”. They will not see it as just one person, they will see it as that specific section or platoon as a whole. This comes from my own personal experience and the things I have heard people say when it comes to such matters. It is important to practice good customs and courtesies because actions and behaviors are contagious. They can either influence people to do good or spread like a poison and cause damage which I have personally seen as well. Proper customs and courtesies help start and
Because of this inherent hierarchal quality, respect must be established between the ranks to ensure that tactical operations continue to fit within a strategic plan. Additionally, in order to successfully mobilize a military, some sort of structure must be enforced to ensure critical elements such as communication, discipline, and accountability are properly maintained. If hierarchal respect, particularly in the sense of customs and courtesies is not maintained, the effectiveness and efficiency of a military is inhibited. In combat situations, if this respect is not well established, it can put the lives of soldiers in danger. Furthermore, in most cases NCOs have more combat experience or, at least, more experience in their MOS. In this sense they are better equipped to lead lower enlisted soldiers into combat situations, to protect their soldiers, and to ensure the completion of the mission. This is why they have earned the position of a non-commissioned officer in the first place and should therefore be respected. I can understand the logic behind this point of view.
The rank structure goes back to the 1700’s. The rank structure was put into place so that the soldiers had someone that was there to give out orders; also the rank structure was there to teach the newer enlisted respect. If the rank structure was not in place, there would be no order or discipline in the army.
I am here to explain what military discipline, military respect, and disrespect are and the history behind these acts are. I will first give the definitions of military discipline; which is a state of order and obedience existing within a command. ay look at you, Discipline helps to complete certain jobs/instructions efficiently and correctly. in the military it is used to train people so that they are good at their job/career as they have improved due to discipline. Disrespect to a Non-Commissioned Officer; which is where if told by an NCO to do a task a soldier blatantly tells the NCO a story as to why he or she cannot or has not yet performed the task that was assigned. Respect to a Non-Commissioned Officer; which is where the soldier
adults and to show respect to the ranks above them. If a Soldier fails to do so
There is thus little chance for participation among the subordinates in the military, in the establishment of the standards of general orders. These can include anything from restrictions on alcohol during wartime to the requirement of avoiding tattoos as a soldier. The military is a fairly formal and strict hierarchical institution and orders are channeled gradually down. Difficulties in the military are generally attributed to the breakdown of this structure by lack of efficiency resulting from the inability of an individual or group of individuals to follow the chain of command. Following orders instills discipline and ensures that everyone in the military is in alignment with others' by providing a cohesive plan of instructions that ties the military together as one unit.
I am writing this essay because I disrespected a non commissioned officer. I do apologize for what I did and have said. I have learned from my mistake and I see why I am to do this essay and that is to show that disrespecting a non commissioned officer will not be tolerated and two give clear understanding of the impact that disrespecting a Non Commissioned officer has on others. For many reasons the Non Commissioned Officers keep the moral up and motivate soldiers and encourage them to do their very best and showing disrespect to the non commissioned officer's not only lowers moral, it also makes it to where the NCO thinks less of the person and lowers the person’s creditably.
Soldiers constantly look to their leaders for guidance when developing bearing themselves, since “Military Bearing” is instilled over the course of time, and doesn’t just come “Factory Installed” out of Initial Entry Training. Also, if the leader is unable or unwilling to uphold the standard that he expects of his subordinates, not only will the soldiers look on the leader as being hypocritical or having a “Double Standard”, and his soldiers will be less likely to carry out any orders from the superior, or at least won’t put any appreciable amount of effort into carrying out those orders. Respect comes from bearing. If a leader does not set the example of “Military Bearing”, the only respect that the leader will receive will be out empty reverence of the rank the individual may hold, and not out of true respect or loyalty to the leader himself.
But one thing they all have in common is they show the respect and honor the soldiers and superiors have for one another. Military courtesies are often very similar to the civilities found in the civilian world as well as daily life. The only difference is that it is mandatory for the courtesies seen in the military to be adhered to and followed by its soldiers. If these courtesies are not followed, the offending soldier can, and almost always will, be punished. This punishment can come in the form of corrective training, known commonly as essays, extra duty and can go as far as court martial, jail time and/or being discharged from the military. In the military, manners and levels of respect help to identify the difference between junior to senior ranking members. Courtesies and customs of the Army have been practiced for hundreds of years. They involve a code of conduct that is mandatory for every member of the army to follow. Some are obviously against the rules of professionalism such as public display of affection in uniform, as is being intoxicated in uniform and exhibiting violent behavior are conducts that are punishable in the military code of conduct. Others are unique codes of behavior that must to be followed in order to present a one of a kind organizational structure to the military as these customs and practices instill and show discipline and
A soldier is expected to represent the military at all times, including being courteous, confident, and enthusiastic. A soldier’s job is hazardous, sometime even life and death, the military needs only the best in its ranks, so a soldier expected to behave as a professional at all times. How the public sees a single soldier does affect how all soldiers are viewed in the public’s eye; this includes their physical appearance. When all of the elements are combined and implemented the soldier will have a strong military and professional bearing that the country expects of its soldiers. Military and professional bearing is how a soldier behaves, dresses, and carries themselves inside and outside of the uniform.
Respect: Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And
Officers is to advise all levels of commands on these issues. Continuing the Army ethic
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!
Officers play an important role in earning the respect and confidence of our nation. In other words, our nation and society will expect me to maintain the utmost professionalism, military bearing, and discipline. They will expect those things from me because they will be entrusting me to take care of their sons, daughter, brothers or sisters. This will be one of the most important responsibilities as a military officer. As equally important, our society will expect me to make the hard choices to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and
One commonly recognized custom and courtesy is the military salute. The salute has been an exchange of greetings since the age of chivalry. During these ages the knights were mounted with steel armor that covered their body completely