Courtesies to Other Services

The collective efforts of the Air Force, Army, and Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard provide for the defense of the country against aggression. All Services are part of the military team; therefore, extend the same military courtesies to members of the other Services. While it is natural that friendly rivalries exist between the Services, military courtesies among Services remain the same.

Thus, the members of the other Services are as much comradesin- arms as are any airmen.

This is equally true of the friendly armed forces of the United Nations. Salute all commissioned officers and pay the same respect to the national anthems and flags of other nations as rendered the US national anthem and flag. While it is not necessary to learn the identifying insignia of the military grades of all nations, you should learn the insignia of the most frequently contacted nations, particularly during an overseas assignment.

Common Acts of Courtesy

Common acts of courtesy among all Air Force personnel aid in maintaining discipline and promoting the smooth conduct of affairs in the military establishment. When courtesy falters within a unit, discipline ceases to function, and accomplishing the mission is endangered. Many of the Air Force courtesies involve the salute. There are, however, many other courtesies commonly extended to superiors, subordinates, and working associates. The following paragraphs list some of these courtesies:

Always give the senior person—enlisted or commissioned—the position of honor when walking, riding, or sitting with him or her. The junior person should take the position to the senior’s left.

When reporting to an officer indoors, if not under arms, knock once and enter when told to do so. Upon entering, march to approximately two paces from the officer or desk, halt, salute, and report in this manner: “Sir (Ma’am), Airman Smith reports as ordered,” or “Sir (Ma’am), Airman Smith reports.” When the conversation is completed, execute a sharp salute and hold it until the officer acknowledges it, then perform the appropriate facing movements and depart.

Unless told otherwise, rise and stand at attention when a senior official enters or departs a room. If more than one person is present, the person who first sees the officer calls the group to attention. However, if there is an officer already in the room who is equal to or has a higher rank than the officer entering the room, do not call the room to attention.

Except in the field under campaign or simulated campaign conditions, observe certain personal courtesies in association with officers. Unless the officer directs otherwise, stand at attention when speaking to an officer. If in a parked vehicle, always get out before speaking to or replying to a senior who is not in the vehicle.

Military personnel enter automobiles and small boats in reverse order of rank. Juniors will enter a vehicle first (and take their appropriate seat on the senior’s left). The senior officer will be the last to enter the vehicle and the first to leave it.

Upon entering or leaving transport aircraft, the senior officer enters last and exits first. This procedure only applies to passengers and not to crewmembers of the aircraft who must be free to carry out their normal duties.

Rank Has Its Privileges (RHIP)

The military system is a hierarchy. Leaders placed in charge of units in the military structure exercise control. These leaders are officers and NCOs. All must display disciplined obedience combined with loyalty, in accordance with law and policy. From the highest to the lowest, subordinates must extend an unfailing respect to the authority that issues their orders. Personal admiration is a voluntary tribute to another that the military service does not demand. But the service does demand respect for authority by unfailing courtesy to people who exercise it. The privileges of rank do not include the privilege of abuse of position. The privileges of rank and position are privileges indeed, well worth striving for and attaining.

Proper Addresses

Senior service members frequently address juniors by their first names, but this practice does not give juniors the privilege of addressing seniors in any way other than by proper titles. If airmen are present, senior service members should address junior service members by their titles. Service members of the same grade, when among themselves, may address one another by their given names. Increasingly, service members use first names. Formality, however, is the best policy. Junior service members should always be conservative until they can sense what is appropriate. It is wiser to err by being too formal, rather than too familiar.

Information derived from AFPAM 36-2241 V1