Sequoyah High School GA-952  •  Air Force JROTC    

   I. Introduction

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Customs are time-honored traditions, which carry with them the unwritten rules and weight of social law. A courtesy is that quality of human association, which enables people to live together in harmony. Military courtesy points out the need for mutual respect among comrades in arms.

 

   II. Addressing Others

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One of the most frequent customs/courtesies cadets must immediately accept and render is that of addressing and responding to their senior cadet officers in the proper fashion, with “Yes, Sir/Ma’am” and “No, Sir/Ma’am.” While this affectation may seem strange to new cadets at first, it quickly becomes second nature to those who adopt it. This is one of the first lessons in “better citizenship” cadets are exposed to in AFJROTC. Whether cadets later become an active member of one of the Armed Forces, or immediately enter the workforce, cadets will be better equipped to interact with people professionally and personally. Using “Yes/No, Sir/Ma’am” is equally correct when addressing a four-star general, a parental figure, a boss, or even a neighbor. It unequivocally demonstrates the kind of positive attitude, self-discipline, and respect each of those people, and everyone else for that matter, wants to see in others.

Cadets will always address the SASI as “Colonel” or “Sir/Ma’am” The ASI will always be addressed as “Chief”. Do not address the ASI as “Sir/Ma’am”.

Cadets will be addressed by the SASI and ASI as “Cadet (last name)”. The SASI/ASI may address cadets by their first name. This is not being casual or unprofessional. It is common practice within junior/senior cadet relationships for the senior member to use the first name of the junior member as a sign of both respect and friendship. It will never be done unless the situation is appropriate. The junior member, however, will not presume to respond to the senior member in any way other than in an appropriate military manner. Again, this is permitted only when appropriate and never when conducting formal drill practice. This personal etiquette is a courtesy practiced throughout the world in both the military and civilian community.

 

   III. Saluting

 

History:

The salute is one of the oldest and most honorable military tradition, which dates back to the early Roman Empire. The salute is believed to have been created by the Roman Army as a courteous gesture intended to show one’s friendship. It was commonly done by raising one’s weapon hand to show that it was empty, and no harm was intended. Medieval knights later demonstrated their friendly intentions toward each other by raising their helmet visor with the weapon hand. This also afforded recognition of each other and indicated that no challenge was intended.

Today’s hand salute is a version of all the variations of this same act since antiquity. It is an honorable and significant tradition, which is followed in some form or fashion by every professional military force in the world. Cadets are not saluting fellow students that they happen to know, they are saluting the uniform and rank, whether they recognize the individual or not. The persons saluting each other may be best friends or bitter rivals, it doesn’t matter. AFJROTC membership dictates that cadets render the proper military courtesies to each other whenever appropriate and that they do so in a professional manner. The salute is not rendered when not in uniform.

 

Procedure:

Salutes are exchanged only between enlisted and officer personnel and between officers of different grade/rank. Enlisted cadets do not salute each other or enlisted members of the Armed Forces. Cadets do not salute the ASI. When visiting a military installation, cadets will salute all officers because any commissioned officer outranks a Cadet Colonel.

Salutes are only accomplished when outside and wearing the flight cap or indoors when formally reporting-in or during an official indoor ceremony requiring such actions. Most salutes will be rendered outdoors when passing other cadet officers or the SASI.

When walking with cadet(s) of higher rank, the most senior cadet officer will walk on the right side. The right side is considered by military tradition a position of honor and respect. When a salute is rendered by a passing individual, it is directed toward the senior cadet officer on the right of a group and only he/she will return the salute.

During school hours, the Sequoyah campus is a designated no hat/no salute area. For the safety of all cadets, the school parking lots during arrival/departure are also a no salute area.

 

Passing Outdoors:

When passing outdoors, the enlisted cadet or junior cadet officer always initiates the salute. The salute is initiated when the lower ranking individual is approximately three paces from the individual being saluted. The salute is held by the junior cadet and the senior cadet/SASI will return the full salute before passing. Once the senior cadet/SASI have saluted, the junior cadet will drop his/her salute. The salute is accompanied by a greeting when accomplished by individuals simply passing one another. The junior cadet greeting is “Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening, Sir/Ma’am.” The senior cadet response is “Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening.” If a cadet is running outdoors in uniform, he/she will slow to a normal walk-in order to render or return the salute. The salute is never rendered while running.

 

Reporting:

Indoors, the salute is rendered whenever a cadet is formally reporting to a more senior cadet officer or the SASI. This is accomplished by approaching the senior cadet officer/SASI in a military manner, standing at attention before the individual being reported to, rendering the salute, and stating “Cadet (last name), reporting as ordered or request permission to speak, Sir/Ma’am.” The cadet will remain at attention (holding the salute) until the salute is returned. If the SASI/senior cadet officer does not state “At Ease” when returning the salute, the cadet reporting in will remain at attention after dropping the salute. When finished, the cadet will come to attention and render the salute again, without comment. The salute will again be held until the SASI/senior cadet officer returns it. Then, drop the salute and exit in a military manner.

 

Flag Raising and Lowering:

If a cadet outdoors in uniform observes the US Flag being either raised or lowered, he/she will immediately come to attention and render the salute. The salute will be held until the flag reaches either the bottom or top of the flagpole. If a cadet is outdoors but not in uniform and observes the flag being raised or lowered, he/she will immediately face the flagpole, come to attention, and place the right hand over the heart until the flag reaches the top or bottom of the flagpole. If a cadet not in uniform is wearing a hat at the time, it will be removed with the right hand when assuming the position of attention, then held over the left shoulder so that the right hand is over the heart during the flag raising/lowering.

 When a cadet in uniform is outdoors and the National Anthem or “To the Colors” is played, the cadet will stand at attention, face the flag or the music if the flag cannot be seen, and render the salute until the music stops.

 When a cadet in uniform is indoors and the National Anthem or “To the Colors” is played, the cadet will stand at attention, face the flag or the music if the flag cannot be seen, but do not salute, unless said cadet is part of an official ceremony requiring them to do so.

 Cadet Officers and cadet NCOs will correct saluting errors immediately and in a courteous and instructive manner. All cadets are expected to accept constructive criticism with a positive attitude.

 

   IV. Calling Room to Attention

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It is customary for a person to call the room to attention upon the entrance of a higher-ranking active duty/retired commissioned officer and when they leave the room for the day. This courtesy should be extended to the Group Commander, a college ROTC officer who might be visiting, the SASI, the Principal and special military guests. However, be certain that there is no officer of equal or higher rank already in the room before making the command. Please render this honor whenever the principal enters the room even if the SASI is present already. This is a sign or respect for the special place the principal has in the high school. The command is “room, ATTENTION.” When the ranking individual departs, the room is also called to attention. The same practice is used outdoors for an “area” or for a “building” such as a dormitory.