ROTC: Military Courtesy & Discipline

• Military Courtesy 

  • the wholesome relationship between juniors and seniors; young and old, with all persons. It includes an essential element of a full & proper appreciation of others' rights and special acts/ceremonial procedures prescribed in official regulations
  • Act of politeness, civility, good manner, behavior and respect that a personnel in the military organization accord to e/o
  • Not a one-way street. Enlisted personnel are expected to be courteous to Officers and likewise Officers are expected to return the courtesy. Mutual respect is a vital part of military courtesy. 
• Military Discipline 

  • state of order and obedience existing within a command.  It involves the ready subordination of the will of the individual for the good of the group.  
  • result of effective training, it is manifested in individuals and units by unity, bonding and a spirit of; by smartness of appearance; justice and equality for all soldiers, regardless of religion and belief, gender and what group they respect.
• origins/definition of the HAND SALUTE

  • The origin is uncertain.  Some historians believe it began in late Roman times when assassinations were common.  A citizen had to approach a public official with his right hand raised to show that he did not hold a weapon. Knights in armor raised visors w/ the right hand when meeting a comrade.
  • This practice gradually became a way of showing respect and in early American history sometimes involved removing or touching the hat (1820). During our time in the Army, we render salute to show respect toward an officer, flag, or our country.
• Hand Salute w/o headgear:

  Raise your hand up to your eyebrow. Keep the outer edge of the hand barely canted downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is clearly visible from the front. The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined slightly forward, and the forearm is at a 45-degree angle to the ground. Keep your fingers & thumb straight and in line w/ e/o.
• HAND SALUTE IS RENDERED WHEN

  • a national anthem is played.
  • reporting/rendering courtesy
  • A good rule of thumb: if you are outdoors and it is practical to salute (not driving/under vehicle/carrying), do so.  
  • If you're in formation while flag is raised (am) or lowered (pm), stand at attention on the first note of Reveille or "To the Colors.”  "Color" refer to the flag of the Republic of the Philippines and can include the unit flag.
  • Flag/color is presented, paraded, or displayed, salute when the colors are six paces from you.  Hold the salute until the colors are six paces beyond you.
• Courtesy in the presence of officers & those senior in grade/ NCO: 

  • talking to an officer, stand at attention unless ordered "At ease”. 
  • an officer enters a room, the first personnel to recognize the officer calls personnel in the room to attention but does not salute.  
  • accompanying a senior, walk on his left.
  • entering/exiting a vehicle, junior = 1st to enter; senior = 1st to exit. 
  • officer enters a dining facility, unless he directs otherwise/a more senior officer is already present, the diners will be given the order "At ease" by the 1st person who sees.
• GENERAL COURTESY & DISCIPLINE

  • Being late for any engagement is the height of bad manners.
  • It is bad taste to address a woman by her first name or nickname unless she has indicated otherwise.
  • A military personnel always asks to be permitted to smoke in the presence of a woman especially in a room or automobile.
  • It's impolite to compliment a person in a company because the others might feel slighted.
  • One must be careful in speaking about partner to people who have not met them socially.
• MILITARY TABOOS 

  1. Uniform must not be defamed

  2. Never slink under cover to avoid retreat

  3. Offer no excuses

  4. Use of third person by an officer is of poor taste

  5. Servility is scorned

  6. Avoid praising your commander to his face

  7. Old man to be spoken with care

  8. Avoid going over the officer’s head

  9. Harsh remarks are to be avoided

  10. Avoid vulgarity and profanity

  11. Excessive indebtedness to be avoided