Military Bearing and Customs - Coursework Example

Military Customs and Courtesies Introduction The military is an organization that instills a lot of pride in its members because of the brilliant history, duty, capabilities and the respect it enjoys in the service of the nation. In fact, the military tries to reflect the same pride in the customs, courtesies, and traditions. So, being a soldier also means to adhere to the customs and courtesies. In fact, military has its own customs, in both official and social spheres. These customs add to the interest, pleasure, and graciousness of military life. Though these customs may seem strange to the eyes of a civilian, they have a very important role in the lives of military men. These customs and traditions keep the life of men in uniform going even when there is no excitement of war. Also, the customs keep them fight with fiery regimental spirit at the war front. A custom can be defined as an established practice. Customs include certain things one should do and certain things one should avoid. A violation of such customs shows that the person is ignorant, careless, or disobedient. So, violation of customs is followed by official censure or disciplinary action. Customs The first custom is that one should never criticize the military or any leader in public. Another important custom is that one should not go ‘over the head’ of the supervisors. In other words, one should not jump the chain of command. Another important point is that one is not supposed to say excuses. Yet another important point is that under any circumstances, one should not wear a superior’s rank. One should always use ones own authority and speak with ones own voice. Another important point is that one should ‘never turns away to avoid giving a hand salute’. Also, it is considered a violation of customs to go indoors or pretend that one does not hear to avoid standing reveille or retreat (“Customs, Courtesies”). In military, one is never allowed to appear in uniform while drunk. This is considered a blatant violation of the traditions, and one will be punished for that. When one does not have the right answer to a question from a superior, one should never go wrong with the answer. Instead, one should respond “I don’t know sir, but I’ll find out” (“Customs, Courtesies”). Courtesies Courtesies among military personnel are important to maintain discipline in the force. Courtesies in military refer to practicing good manners and politeness in dealing with one another. In fact, these courtesies act as the foundation for developing good relations with others. The difference between civilian and military courtesies is that while civilian courtesies fluctuate, in military, it is strictly followed. Courtesies in military are developed in military setting and are an integral part of the military system. In fact, most military courtesies are just a replication of the courtesies in civil life that make a person a good person. For example, even in civil life, young people are taught to say ‘sir’ to gents and ‘madam’ to address women. When a young person addresses older people in this way, the person is considered as having good manners. Some common courtesies in military are rendering the hand salute, standing at attention or parade rest, and addressing others by their rank. The hand salute In fact, hand salute is not simply an honor exchanged. It is considered as an act of respect and trust among soldiers. Salute is not simply a gesture that is prescribed by regulation; in addition, this act reminds military personnel of their commitment to each other, and professionalism. Hand salute had its birth in Roman times when assassinations were common. So, anyone who wanted to meet a public official had to appear with his right hand raised to show that he did not hold a weapon. The knights used to raise the visors with right hand when they met their comrades. Later on, this gesture became a way of showing respect. In the early American society, the act of removing hat was in practice, and by the early 19th century, the gesture was to touch ones hat. Later on, it became a hand salute. In military, one salutes to show respect towards an officer, flag or country. In fact, many people misunderstand the hand salute in military as an act of servility. On the other hand, in reality, salute is an expression that recognizes each other as a member of the profession of arms, and reminds each other of the commitments. The fact that a junior always salutes first is only a matter of etiquette. In fact, the way one salutes reveals a lot about him. A proud smart salute shows ones pride in being a military personnel and ones love and commitment towards ones unit. A weak, sloppy salute reveals that one is not confident about ones own abilities as a soldier. A sloppy salute or lack of salute reveals that one is ashamed of ones unit, one has lack of confidence or at the least, and one has not learnt to salute properly. All soldiers in uniform are supposed to salute when they meet and recognize persons who are entitled by grade to get a salute, except under special circumstances. Such special circumstances include public conveyances like planes and buses, public places like theaters or while driving. In addition, a salute is offered when United Nation’s national anthem, ‘To the Color’, ‘Hail to the Chief’, or any foreign nation’s national anthem are played, to uncased National Color outdoors, on ceremonial occasions like change of command or funerals, at reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag, during the sounding of honors, when pledging allegiance to the US flag outdoors, when turning over control of formation, when rendering reports, and to officers of friendly foreign nations. Other courtesies There are many other important military courtesies one is supposed to follow. The first one is that while talking to an officer of superior rank, one is supposed to stand at attention until he is ordered to do otherwise. When one is dismissed, or when the officer departs, one is supposed to come to attention and salute. Similarly, when talking to a non-commissioned officer of superior rank, one is supposed to stand at practice rest until ordered otherwise. When a superior enters a room, the first soldier to notice the superior calls all other personnel in the room to attention, and salute is to be rendered when reporting. When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first soldier to notice the NCO calls others to ‘at ease’. In addition, while walking with a superior, one should walk on the left of the superior or NCO of superior rank. Another courtesy is that while entering or exiting a vehicle, the junior is first to enter and the senior is the first to exit. When one is outdoors and approached by an NCO, one should greet the NCO saying ‘Good morning, Sergeant”. The first person who sees an officer entering a dining facility gives the order ‘at ease’ unless a more senior officer is already present. In a dining facility, when the call ‘at ease’ is heard, one should remain seated, silent, and continue eating unless directed otherwise (“Customs, Courtesies”). When one reports to an officer of superior rank, approach the officer and stop two steps from him and assume attention position. Then give proper salute and say ‘Sir, Private Smith reporting’, for example. While indoors, one is supposed to remove headgear before saluting if not armed. In fact, if one strictly follows the customs and courtesies in the day to day functioning, it shows that he is a good team player who could be relied on by the unit in the battle field. However, if one fails to show courtesy in the day to day functioning, it shows that he will fail to perform his duty in his team when required, thus jeopardizing the entire unit. Thus, failure to follow customs and courtesies not only indicates lack of respect, it also shows ones inability to perform ones duty in time. In other words, the one who is unable to perform smaller tasks will not be able to perform bigger tasks with responsibility. So, one who does not follow such courtesies do not have the right to remain in the unit. According to experts, discipline is a state of training, resulting in orderly conduct. It is during peacetime that military personnel should be trained to be disciplined so that the forces be well prepared for wartime contingencies. There are various forms of discipline in military like task discipline, group discipline, imposed discipline, and self-discipline. Task discipline is defined as how well one is able to meet the challenges of the job. Group discipline indicates teamwork. In military, just like one has responsibility to ones job, one should have responsibility towards team as in military, many people work together as a team. Imposed discipline indicates the legal orders and regulations. It is essential to have this discipline as in war time; orders may not be followed by explanations. So, in peacetime too, it is necessary to have a continuation of this type of discipline. The last one is self-discipline that is willingness and instinctive responsibility that make one does what is appropriate and needed, and denying personal preferences as and when needed. In fact, following customs and courtesies is the best way to keep military people in all these disciplines in peacetimes. Conclusion I admit the fact that following the customs and courtesies of the military is utmost necessary for each military personnel. Failing to do so reveals indiscipline and disobedience. Admittedly, in military where each member of a unit has an important role to play, it is very essential for each member to be very serious about his or her responsibilities. I understand that by disrespecting NCO, I failed to follow the courtesy I was supposed to show. Admittedly, a violation of the customs and courtesies of the military is followed by official censure or disciplinary action. Now I understand the need to follow the courtesies and customs of the military, and being a proud member of the military, I will strictly follow them without any disobedience or disrespect to the superiors. Works Cited Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions. Globalsecurity.org. web 26 July 2011 Read More