Chapter 24 - Military Customs and Courtesies Flashcards
Are proven traditions, deep-rooted in culture that reflect pride in military service to our Nation
Military customs and courtesies
Is an internationally recognized system of courtesy and respect involving a set of rules for behavior in official life and in ceremonies involving governments, nations, and their representatives
Protocol
Is a code of traditional precedence, courtesy, and etiquette in matters of military, diplomatic, official, and celebratory ceremonies
Protocol
Is a mandatory Air Force program, under the responsibility of installation commanders, which emphasizes the importance of military customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies
Base Honor Guard
The first base honor guard was activated within the
1100th Air Police Squadron, Bolling Field, Washington D.C.
In ___________, public law was implemented, providing for all veterans to receive, at a minimum, a funeral ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag, presentation of the flag to the veteran’s family, and the playing of Taps
January of 2000
Is often played or sung at official and unofficial ceremonies and events
The United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner
National Anthem Outdoors
Airmen in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note of music has played. All present in civilian attire should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart
National Anthem in Vehicles
Vehicles in motion will pull to the side of the road and stop (if consistent with safety and mission requirements). Individuals in vehicles should sit quietly until the last note of music has played
National Anthem Indoors
When indoors, in uniform, in formation, with appropriate headgear, military members should render the military salute during the national anthem. When indoors, in uniform, without headgear, military members should stand and remain at the position of attention without rendering the military salute. Civilians should stand at attention with their right hand over their heart. If the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed
National Anthems of Friendly Foreign Nations
The same respect is shown to foreign national anthems as is shown to The Star-Spangled Banner
The Pledge of Allegiance
Outdoor events or social functions in uniform: stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and salute.
Outdoors in civilian attire: remove any non-religious headdress with right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, with the hand being over the heart.
Indoor events, military personnel in uniform: stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, but will not salute.
Indoor events where participants are primarily civilians or in civilian attire: reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is optional for those in uniform.
Indoors in civilian attire: stand at attention, face the flag, place your right hand over your heart, and recite the pledge
Department of the Air Force Seal
- The circular background is ultramarine blue
- The trim is Air Force yellow
- The 13 white stars represent the original 13 colonies
- The Air Force yellow numerals under the shield stand for 1947, the year the Department of the Air Force was established
- The band encircling the whole design is white, edged in Air Force yellow, with black lettering reading “Department of the Air Force” on the top and “United States of America” on the bottom
- Centered on the circular background is the Air Force Coat of Arms, consisting of the crest and shield
Consists of the eagle, wreath, and cloud form
Air Force Coat of Arms - Crest
Is divided horizontally into two parts by a nebular line representing clouds. The top part bears an Air Force yellow thunderbolt with flames in natural color that shows striking power through the use of aerospace. The thunderbolt consists of an Air Force yellow vertical twist with three natural color flames on each end crossing a pair of horizontal wings with eight lightning bolts. The background at the top of the shield is light blue representing the sky
Air Force Coat of Arms – Shield
The Air Force Seal is to be protected from unauthorized use
Falsely making, forging, counterfeiting, mutilating, altering, or knowingly using or possessing the Seal with fraudulent intent, is punishable by law
Was designated the official symbol of the U.S. Air Force on 5 May 2004.
The Air Force Symbol
The Air Force Symbol
- The upper half includes the stylized wings, which represent the stripes of our strength—our enlisted men and women
- The lower half includes a sphere, a star, and three diamonds
Stylized Wings
The Air Force Symbol
The six sections of the wings represent our distinctive capabilities—air and space superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, information superiority, and agile combat support
Sphere
The Air Force Symbol
Represents the globe and symbolically reminds us of our obligation to secure our Nation’s freedom with global vigilance, reach, and power
Star
The Air Force Symbol
- The five points of the star represent the components of our one force and family—our Regular Air Force, civilians, Guard, Reserve, and retirees. - Symbolizes space as the high ground of our Nation’s air and space force
- Represents our officer corps, central to our combat leadership
Three Diamonds
The Air Force Symbol
Represent our core values—Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do
Is a registered trademark and must be protected against unauthorized use or alterations to approved versions
The Air Force Symbol
The Air Force Song
- Created by Robert Crawford
- The U.S. Army band made the first recordings of the song in 1939, titled The U.S. Air Force
The Air Force Song
Airmen when the song is played
Airmen will stand at attention, but are allowed to sing the lyrics of the song
Is one of the most enduring and sacred symbols of our country. It represents the principles and ideals Airmen have pledged to defend, and for which many have made the ultimate sacrifice
The United States flag
History of United States Flag
- Born on June 14, 1777
- In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the words to The Star-Spangled Banner
- In 1892, Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance
Installation Flag
Is lightweight nylon bunting material, 8 feet 11 3/8 inches by 17 feet, and is only displayed in fair weather from an installation flagstaff
All-Purpose Flag
Is made of rayon bunting material, 3 feet by 4 feet. This size can be used for outdoor display with flags of friendly foreign nations, in arrival ceremonies for international dignitaries, or to indicate joint occupancy of a building by two or more countries
All-Purpose (All-Weather) Storm Flag
Is a lightweight nylon bunting material, 5 feet by 9 feet 6 inches. Use this size as an alternate for the installation flag in inclement weather
Ceremonial Flag
Is rayon or synthetic substitute material, 4 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 6 inches, trimmed on three edges with yellow rayon fringe 2 inches wide
Organizational Flag
Is rayon or synthetic substitute material and is 3 feet by 4 feet. This flag is trimmed on three edges with rayon fringe 2 inches wide
Retirement Flag
The retirement flag may be either 3 feet by 4 feet or 3 feet by 5 feet. Members retiring from the Air Force are entitled to presentation of a United States flag
Garrison Flag
The garrison flag is 20 feet by 38 feet. This flag is flown on holidays and special occasions and can be substituted with the installation flag
Interment Flag
Is 5 feet by 9 feet 6 inches of any approved material. The interment flag is authorized for deceased military personnel and for deceased veterans. This is the size flag used to drape over a closed casket
Display of the United States Flag
Sunrise to Sunset
The universal custom is to display the US flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. All other flags should also be illuminated when displayed with the United States flag
Display of the United States Flag
Locations
Air Force installations are authorized to fly one installation flag from reveille to retreat, normally on a flagstaff placed in front of the installation headquarters, and additional flagstaffs and flags are authorized adjacent to each dependent school on the installation. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution; it should also be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse
Display of the United States Flag
Holidays
The United States flag should be displayed on all days as may be proclaimed by the U.S. President, the birthdays of states (date of admission), and on state holidays.
Display of the United States Flag
National Holidays
New Year's Day Inauguration Day Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Lincoln's Birthday Washington's Birthday Easter Sunday (variable) Father's Day Independence Day Nat’l Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Labor Day Constitution Day Columbus Day Mother's Day Armed Forces Day Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) Flag Day Navy Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Is always displayed on a stage or in a parade on its own right, for an audience looking at a stage, it will be on the audience’s left.
The United States flag
when the United States flag is displayed or carried in a procession with another flag or flags
It should be either on the right of all others, or in front of and centered ahead of other flags, if there is a line of other flags in the same procession
When the United States flag is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, it should be
On the right, the flag’s own right (the observer’s left), and the staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag
When the United States flag is flown with a number of flags displayed from staffs radiating from a central point, and no foreign flags are in the display, the United States flag will be
In the center and at the highest point of the group
When the United States flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be
Placed at the peak of the staff
When the United States flag is flown with a number of flags displayed from staffs set in a line,
All staffs will be of the same height and same finial. The United States flag will be on the right side of the group (the observer’s left)
When no foreign national flags are involved in the display, the United States flag may be placed
At the center of the line and displayed at a higher level than the other flags in the display
When the United States flag is displayed with one or more other nations
- They are flown from separate staffs of the same height
- The flags should be of equal size
- Member country flags are displayed in a line, alphabetically, with the United States flag at its own right (the observer’s left)