Military Customs and Traditions
Military Customs and Traditions
Military Customs and Traditions
GENERAL
Traditions - are inherited principles, standards and practices that serve as the
established guides for an individual or group. Traditions are accumulated experiences
and deeds passed on from generation to generation both in memory and reality.
Customs - are accepted practices realized through continued usage that take
the force and effect of a Common Law.
Military Traditions:
1. Traditions of Valor - The Filipino soldier has epitomized valor during his
gallant defense at Bataan and Corregidor against the Japanese Forces. The late
General Douglas McArthur paid tribute to Filipino Soldiery when he proclaimed. "Give
me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I'll conquer the world".
3. Tradition of Honor - The founding fathers of the AFP as well the nation
have courageously demonstrated even in most difficult times the value of honor by
leading a life in peace or war with personal dignity and self-worth. In history, they were
known for having treasured honor more than life itself when they consistently offered the
supreme sacrifice to win their freedom and keep it by refusing to yield to the glitter of
gold offered by their former colonizers.
Military Customs - The following are some of the significant customs in the
AFP:
4. The Three Volleys Over Graves - This is a sign of respect and gesture of
farewell tendered to a departed comrade-in-arms. In the older days, they did it by
throwing or casting earth three (3) times upon the grave, calling the name of the dead
and saying "Farewell" three times.
7. The Raising of the Right Hand in Taking Oath - From the earliest days,
the taking of an oath for truth of statement or testimony has been a solemn and serious
matter accompanied by ceremony. In essence, the taker of the oath calls upon hi., God
to bear witness that the truth would be told.
8. Courtesy of the Post - An officer of any of the armed services visiting at
a military post or one who resides in its vicinity is often extended the "Courtesy of the
Post" by the officer after the prescribed official call has been made. This may include
the privilege of accommodation at the Officer's Club and Officer’s Mess if the visit is of
short duration and the privilege of membership, if the stay in the vicinity is extended.
9. Presentation of Recruit to Colors - In most units, it is a ceremony in
which recruits are presented to the color for the purpose of signifying acceptance and
welcome into the organization.
12. Trumpet or Bugle Calls - Trumpet and Bugle Calls add more distinction
and excitement to the regimented life of military personnel. As the day to day activities
bore, the sounds of these calls rejuvenate every system of his body to continue
performing the things as signalled by each call.
13. Courtesy Calls - The following are some of the significant courtesy calls
in the military:
e. In some cases, senior officers who are the subject of all these calls
may be extremely busy to attend or receive callers. It is always a sign of courtesy and
goodwill to have manifested an intention to pay such a call.
14. Call of Newly Promoted Generals/Flag Officers - Officers promoted to
star ranks call on the Major Service Commander, Chief of Staff, AFP and the Secretary
of National Defense after taking their oath of office before the Commander-in-Chief.
16. Happy Hour - This is a special form of unit officer comradeship which had
been developing and spreading in recent years. When this is directed, officers gather at
their local club for a beer and conversation. Usually held on Fridays, the growing
customs calls for a light hearted jesting about the events of the week, or airing a minor
gripe, and blowing off a little steam, it may also be a time to slip in a judicious request
for a pass or event to inquire about taking a leave. Behavior and activities conform
strictly to the moral and ethical standards set forth in this Code.
17. Military Weddings - These customs are generally the same for all faiths.
They vary only as chaplains of the different churches incorporate other procedures to
add to their color and tone.
18. Patronage of the Officer's Club and EP's Club Houses - This custom
enable officers and EP to spend their off duty social and recreational life in said center
22. Visiting the Sick - A military personnel who is sick in the hospital is
visited by available officers and enlisted personnel of the unit in such number as may be
permitted by the doctor or surgeon in charge. An officer or soldier of his unit visits him
in order that his needs are attended to.
24. I Wish" and "I Desire" Statement - When the commanding officer states,
"I wish” or I desire" rather than 'I order that you do such and such, this wish or desire
has all the force of a direct order.
25. Place of Honor - The place of honor is on the right. Accordingly, when a
junior walks, rides, or sits with a senior he takes position abreast and to the left of the
senior. This is a kin to the deference which a young man pays his elders.
26. Use of the Word "Sir" - The word "Sir" is used in military conversation by
the junior officer in addressing a senior, and by all soldiers in addressing officers. It
precedes a report, a query, and follows the answer of a question.
SERVICE PROTOCOL
Following are the general principles that you must follow to foster good human
relation. These are not only applicable in our day to day dealings with civilians but also
in our relationship with our comrades-in arms:
1. The uniform should never be defiled. The public has high regard on
military standards of wearing the uniform. We should never tolerate anyone among us
who wears it in a slovenly manner.
2. Conveying of gossips, slanderous and harsh criticisms, backbiting and
faultfinding are unmanly practices, which should be avoided. Speak of an absent
person only of things, which you would dare to say when he is present.
3. Avoid using foul and vulgar language loaded with profanity for such is
repulsive to most self-respecting men.
4. Avoid borrowing money or entering in any form of credit as it often leads to
misunderstandings. LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS. Unfavorable habits that
one cannot support and which give more harms than pleasure should be refrained from.
Return what you borrow and refrain from the habit of borrowing. Fit into the community
rather than attempt to change. Remember that the impression you will leave behind will
be a reflection not only of yourself but also of the Armed Forces.
5. Putting the hands in the pockets of the uniform, folding arms across the
chest, chewing gums while in uniform should be avoided. Likewise, yawning without
covering one’s mouth and scratching parts of the body in public is the height of bad
manners.
6. An officer in the AFP is expected to behave and conduct himself with
dignity and restraint.
7. It is a bad taste to address a woman by her first name or nickname unless
she has indicated otherwise.
8. An officer always asks to be permitted to smoke in the presence of a
woman especially in a room or in an automobile.
9. An officer always stands when introduced to a woman, a clergyman, an
officer or an old man.
10. An officer must be very careful in speaking about his wife.
SERVICE RELATIONSHIP
13. Smokers - There are posted areas for smoking on land, sea or plane.
Rules to be observed are as follows:
a. Don’t blow smoke or allow it to drift from a cigarette in your hand or
ashtray into another person’s face.
b. Never smoke at a formal or official occasion such as wedding
reception or parade.
c. Never use a saucer, dish or plate for an ashtray. Ask for one, when
needed.
d. If there is no ashtray in a home or on a dining table, it means that the
hosts do not want any smoking.
e. When a person ask if you mind smoking – say so if you do. Be
courteous. Few persons realize that a smoke-allergic individual can become ill quickly.
f. Don’t spill ashes on the floor, flip ashes into a wastepaper basket, or
put a lighted cigarette on a table.
g. Never toss a lighted cigarette out of a car window particularly in
wooded areas.
14. Never volunteer information. If you don’t give free information about
someone or something, you can’t be quoted.
15. When you have done something wrong, apologize directly, while looking
at the person. Apologies are imperative if you have caused harm, or hurt someone
through carelessness, failed to keep an appointment, cannot grant a request or you
have broken or damaged something, etc. To renew the broken friendship, invite the one
you have offended for a lunch, and ask the person’s forgiveness by explaining your
failure to do so, etc.
16. As a general rule, accepting a person’s hospitality necessitates reciprocal
gesture. A sincere expression of thanks at the time of leaving the party is sufficient.
17. Do not fail to reply to an RSVP. All social invitations are answered
promptly, preferably within a day or two. A thank you not should be sent within 48 hours
after the occasion.
18. It is a taboo for an officer to carry an umbrella while in uniform as well as
carrying a basket. Under no circumstances must the uniform be dishonored.
19. Dancing is one of the most common forms of amusement. It adds grace and
ease to the bearing. Your first dance should be your last dance.
a. DO’s:
TABLE ETIQUETTE
Simple rules in eating may seem elementary, but they are the rules by which you
are judged. The difference between good or crude manners is the way you observed
the following rules:
a. Controversial topics should be avoided at the dinner table. Talking about
accidents, illness, scandals, and unaesthetic things should be avoided. Conversation
and laughter should always be toned down, but the hostess must encourage this all
around. Well-bred men and women talk pleasantly with those who seem to be
disengaged at any particular moment. Conversing with your neighbor is as important as
eating.
b. In a small sit-down dinner, it is a good form to wait for the host to begin.
c. It is ill mannered for a guest to go to the table with a lighted cigarette in his
hand. Smoking is permitted only in the living room or library, and after the conclusion of
the meal.
d. Wiping the silver and plates with the napkin indicates poor manners.
Likewise, leaving the spoon in the cup, or looking for toothpicks, show lack of breeding.
Never pick your teeth in public – even by covering your mouth with a napkin or with the
other hand. Clean teeth in the privacy of the bathroom.
e. One must make sure his mouth is empty and his lips wiped clean before
taking any beverage. This will keep the rim of the glasses and cups free from ugly
marks.
f. Individual guests place napkins on the lap after the hostess has taken
hers. The napkin is used to protect your clothes from the food. At the end of the meal,
the napkin must be laid to the left of the place setting. No attempt should be made to let
it look neat. It should never be refolded. This is done to show that it is not to be used
again.
g. One should never stir up food or mix different items into a heap on the
plate. Gravy for example is used only for specific dishes and should not spread all over.
h. Chewing must be done quietly with the mouth closed. Avoid making noise
while eating or swallowing, or blow on hot liquids to cool them.
i. Wet spoons should never be used to take sugar. The hostess should see
to it that silver wares are adequate for every purpose.
j. It is but proper for a guest to take a little of every item served at the table.
The guest’s favorable reaction to the food served is some compensation to the hostess.
k. Elbows must never be placed on the table while one is eating. Keep your
elbows at your side when cutting food; they move as easily up and down as sideways
and, if held in, cannot hit your partner.
l. One must be familiar with the manner of eating different kinds of cooked
foods, vegetables and fruits. It adds a great deal to one’s poise to know if a certain item
is to be taken with a particular type of fork, with the fingers, with a teaspoon or with the
aid of a sharp knife.
m. Avoid such unattractive eating habits as smacking your lips or taking
overly large mouthfuls from food piled high on your fork.
n. If something is out of reach at the table, do not rise out of your seat to
obtain it; ask for it to be passed. However, you may reach for anything you conveniently
can without bothering your dinner partner.
o. The knife is used only for cutting meat or fish, never for conveying food to
the mouth.
p. Do not lower your head as if you are going to duck under your plate.
q. When in doubt, follow the host.
Senior ranking guest in a party is always given the first place of honor.
a. The place of honor for a male guest is to the right of the hostess while the
wife of the honored male guest sits at the right of the host.
b. Men and women sit alternately, but a man and wife should not be seated
next to each other.
c. Place cards should be used.
d. Men should always help their dinner partners take their assigned seats.
e. When dining in a restaurant, the woman should have the best view when
seated