Military courtesy
Military courtesy is one of the defining features of a professional
military. These courtesies form a strict and sometimes elaborate code of conduct.
Military courtesy is an extension and a formalization of courtesies practiced in a culture's everyday life. It is intended to reinforce discipline and the
chain of command, defining how soldiers will treat their superiors and vice versa. They are also thought to enhance
esprit de corps.
Some military courtesies include proper forms of address ("Sir", "Ma'am", "Mister") and when each should be used; the
salute, and the related concept of standing
at attention; proper wear of military
headgear;
obeisance; and the rules for behavior in various
ceremonies. Appropriate behavior can vary depending on an individual's
rank, location, and circumstances. A military funeral, for example, requires stricter etiquette than a normal day. Courtesies are sometimes relaxed under battlefield conditions; an officer may discourage salutes in combat areas to avoid making themselves targets for snipers.
Military courtesies may also be adopted by
paramilitary organizations.
*Swartz, Oretha.
Service Etiquette, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD.
*:(covers customs of the
United States Military)
