PDG: Chapter 23 - Military
Customs and Courtesies
Honor and Tradition
Military customs and courtesies are proven traditions, deep-rooted in culture
that reflect pride in military service to our Nation. Expectations for acts of
respect and courtesy have evolved from the need for order and discipline, to
generating an environment of respect and sense of fraternity that exists among
military personnel. While not all-inclusive, this chapter highlights many of the
customs and courtesies that play an extremely important role in building
morale, esprit de corps, discipline, and mission effectiveness. As stated in AFI
1-1, our customs and courtesies reflect the unique nature of our profession and
guide significant aspects of our behavior. Customs and courtesies emphasize
our strong bond with other military members as well as our mutual respect for
one another and our civilian leadership.
Protocol
Protocol is an internationally recognized system of courtesy and respect
involving a set of rules for behavior in official life and in ceremonies involving
governments, nations, and their
representatives. Protocol for the military and government agencies is a code of
traditional precedence, courtesy, and etiquette in matters of military,
diplomatic, official, and celebratory ceremonies. In modern practice, military
protocol encompasses the knowledge, accumulation, and application of
established service customs by combining the traditional codes of conduct with
contemporary etiquette and courtesy. Executive orders, presidential
proclamations, USAF
instructions, and other service-associated sources provide specific guidance on
protocol and customs and courtesies. AFI 34-1201, Protocol, 18 August 2020, is
a very good source for detailed information regarding a wide range of military
customs and courtesies and decorum.
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Base Honor Guard Program
Base Honor Guard is a mandatory USAF program, under the responsibility of
installation commanders, which emphasizes the importance of military
customs and courtesies, dress and
appearance, and drill and ceremonies. The first base honor guard was activated
within the 1100th Air Police Squadron, Bolling Field, Washington D.C., and
was responsible for maintaining a USAF ceremonial capability in the National
Capitol Region. The primary mission of today's base
honor guard program is to employ, equip, and train USAF members to provide
professional military funeral honors for active service members, retired
members, and veterans of the U. S. Air Force. Members are usually volunteers
from the installation host and tenant units, with selections generally coming
from Airman Basic to Technical Sergeant. Note: In January of 2000, public law
was implemented, providing for all veterans to receive, at a minimum, a
funeral ceremony that
includes the folding of a United States flag, presentation of the flag to the
veteran's family, and the playing of Taps.
Symbolism and Representation
Military tradition and patriotism are steeped in symbolism, often honored in
ceremonies and represented in many forms. Some of the ways the United
States and the USAF are represented include symbols, such as the United
States flag and its colors, songs, official seals, and other nationally recognized
objects.
National Anthem
The United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, is often played
or sung at official and unofficial ceremonies and events. It is important to
understand the appropriate protocols and procedures for showing proper
respects for the national anthem. See Attachment 8, The Star- Spangled Banner
Lyrics, for all four verses of the national anthem. When the bugle call, To the
, Colors, is played, the same respects are shown as rendered to the national
anthem.
National Anthem Outdoors
When outdoors, during the rendition of the national anthem, Airmen in
uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and
retain this position until the last note of music has played. When outdoors
during rendition of the national anthem, all present in civilian attire should
stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Members
not in uniform should remove their headgear with their right hand and hold it
at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
National Anthem in Vehicles
When on USAF installations, during the playing of The Star-
Spangled Banner or To the Colors, vehicles in motion will pull to the side of
the road and stop (if consistent with safety and mission requirements).
Individuals in vehicles should sit quietly until the last note of music has
played.
National Anthem Indoors
When indoors, in uniform, in formation, with appropriate headgear, military
members should render the military salute during the national anthem. When
indoors, in uniform, without headgear, military members should stand and
remain at the position of attention without rendering the military salute.
Civilians should remove any headgear and stand at attention
with their right hand over their heart. If the flag is not displayed, those present
should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the
flag were displayed.
National Anthems of Friendly Foreign Nations
Anthems of friendly foreign nations may be played to honor visitors of foreign
nations as a show of respect. The same respect is shown to foreign national
anthems as is shown to The Star-Spangled Banner. Typically, foreign national
anthems are played before the national anthem of a host nation, but there is no