Civil Air Patrol Pueblo Eagles Composite Squadron Leadership Foundations 3: Customs and Courtesies GS 2.3

Objectives  Identify the basic foundation for all military customs and courtesies  Explain why CAP cadets practice military customs and courtesies  Identify rules governing military customs and courtesies, to include exchanging salutes, reporting to an officer, calling the room to attention, and addressing cadets and senior members.  Describe why a cadet’s image can affect the image of the unit and CAP

What is the Origin of the Salute?  During medieval times, friendly knights would raise the visor of their helmet, show their face, and pay respect to each other. –Respect shown by saluting with right hand (the sword hand); to raise it unarmed was a sign of trust.  The salute continues to be a sign of friendship, politeness, and respect. –This does not mean one person is inferior, merely that you respect another person’s position of authority.

Other Examples of Customs and Courtesies  Calling officers “sir” or “ma’am”.  Coming to attention when an officer enters the room.  Walking to an officer’s left (the “position of honor” is to the right).

What if you don’t respect someone?  While you will be proud and eager to salute most people, there may be times you are angry at an officer, or don’t get along with them personally.  The custom of the salute calls for you to salute them no matter your personal feelings.  You salute the person’s grade or position, not necessarily the person as an individual, if you do not respect that person.

Why do CAP Cadets practice military customs and courtesies?  They reinforce the CAP Core Values and show our connection to our parent service, the United States Air Force.  It demonstrates our commitment to teamwork based on self-respect and respect for others.  It demonstrates that we hold ourselves to a higher standard of personal conduct.  It show that we aspire to the same level of professionalism that our military displays.

Military Bearing  What is good military bearing? –The overall way you conduct yourself, in and out of uniform. –Showing respect for yourself, your leaders, and your uniform. –Executing customs and courtesies properly and professionally. –Behaving in a way that people can see you are serious about being a cadet and becoming a leader.

Rules for Observing Military Customs and Courtesies  Exchanging Salutes –Salute outdoors only unless formally reporting to an officer.  By tradition, the Air Museum hangar is considered “outdoors” for purposes of saluting. –Salute all cadet officers, senior members, and military officers. –Do not salute while in formation  Formation commander will salute for the formation. –The junior person initiates the salute with enough distance from the senior person so that they may return your salute.

Rules for Observing Military Customs and Courtesies  Exchanging Salutes –Offer a greeting such as, “Good evening, ma’am!” when exchanging salutes. –When in doubt, salute – anyone feeling the need to salute may do so at any time. Since a salute is a sign of respect, it is never truly inappropriate. –If you are in uniform, salute any officer upon recognition, whether or not they are in uniform. The officer in civilian clothes will typically acknowledge your salute but not return it.

Rules for Observing Military Customs and Courtesies  Reporting to an Officer –When called out of a formation, told to report to an officer, or when receiving an award from an officer. –When receiving an award, turn to face the audience so photos can be taken. –Accept certificates and awards with your left hand and shake with your right hand.

Rules for Observing Military Customs and Courtesies  Room to Attention –All members should come to attention when the commander enters the room. –When an officer who is higher ranking than anyone present enters the room, the first person to notice the officer should command, “Room, ATTENTION.” –Senior members may use a less formal phrase, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Commander” instead. –In a classroom, conference setting, or work environment, these customs are usually relaxed. –Do NOT call a room to attention during a class.

Manner of Address  Superior officers are addressed as “Sir” or “Ma’am”.  Address fellow cadet airmen or NCOs by grade and last name, or “airman” or “sergeant”. –Airman Curry, Sergeant Arnold.  Cadet Officers and senior members may be referred to by grade, grade and last name, or “Sir” or “Ma’am”.  Chaplains are referred to by title and last name, no matter what grade they are. –Chaplain Henderson.

Conclusion  How well you render customs and courtesies reflects on you, your squadron, on the Civil Air Patrol, and on the Air Force.  If you are polite and respectful, people will develop a good impression of you and CAP.  If you fail to observe customs and courtesies, people will not respect you and will be critical of you and other CAP members!

Chain of Command  Any questions?