Customs & Courtesies

The Salute

The hand salute is a greeting exchanged between military personnel. It is a long-established custom of mutual respect (AR 600-25).

When to salute: Outdoors, when you encounter an officer. You salute officers of the U.S. military and allied nations. It is customary to salute officers of friendly foreign nations.

• The junior person always initiates the salute.
• Salutes are exchanged outdoors only, unless reporting to a superior officer indoors.
• Hold the salute until it is returned or the officer has passed.
• When in formation, the person in charge salutes for the entire unit.

When NOT to Salute

• Indoors (except when reporting to an officer or under arms)
• When a prisoner
• When carrying something with both hands
• In a combat zone or tactical environment
• When driving a vehicle (a verbal greeting is appropriate)
• When in a work detail or in a location where saluting is obviously inappropriate

Forms of Address

• Address officers by their rank: 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' is also appropriate
• Noncommissioned Officers: Address by rank (e.g., Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Major)
• Never address an NCO as 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' (they'll tell you they work for a living)

When reporting to a board: 'Sergeant Major, Specialist Jones reports to the president of the board' (Note: Local SOPs may dictate exact reporting phrases).

Flag Etiquette

• The U.S. Flag (National Colors) is always displayed to the right of other flags.
• During Reveille (morning): Stand at attention facing the flag (or direction of music) and render a salute.
• During Retreat/To the Colors (evening): Stop, face the flag, stand at attention. When 'To the Colors' plays, salute. Hold until the last note.
• The flag is never allowed to touch the ground.
• When carrying the flag, it is always carried on the marching right (the flag's own right).

Courtesies & Honors

• When walking with a senior member, you should walk on the senior member's left side.
• Reporting to an Officer Outdoors/Indoors: Move quickly toward the officer, halt approximately two steps in front of them (or their desk), salute, and report: 'Sir/Ma'am, (your rank and name) reports.' Hold the salute until it is returned.
• Memorial Day: The flag is flown at half-staff until noon, at which time a 21-gun salute is fired.
• Independence Day: A 50-gun salute to the Union (one for each state) is fired at noon.
• Reveille and Retreat: During Reveille, the flag is hoisted at the first note of the music. For Retreat, a gun is fired (if available) at the last note, followed by the playing of the national anthem or 'To the Color' as the flag is lowered.

Board Tips

The board will test your customs and courtesies by HOW YOU REPORT. Practice your reporting statement: knock, enter, march to the board, halt two steps from the President of the Board, salute, and make your report. Your bearing and customs ARE the answer to this question — demonstrate them, don't just recite rules. Know when to salute indoors (only when reporting), walking position with seniors (their left), and procedures for Reveille/Retreat.