CHAPTER 9
CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
The military services have a long history. Many
traditions have been established as a result of this long
history. If you are familiar with some of these traditions,
you will understand the military better. These traditions
can be broken down into various customs and
courtesies.
A custom is a way of acting—a way that has
continued consistently over such a long period that it has
become like law. A courtesy is a form of polite behavior
and excellence of manners. You will find that Navy life
creates many situations, not found in civilian life, that
require special behavior on your part. Customs and
courtesies help make life orderly and are a way of
showing respect.
Customs are regular, expected actions. They have
been repeated again and again and passed from one
generation to the next. Courteous actions show your
concern and respect for others and for certain objects or
symbols, such as the American flag.
The use of customs, courtesies, and ceremonies
helps keep discipline and order in a military
organization. This chapter will give you some of the
more common day-to-day customs and courtesies and
ways to deal with them.
MILITARY CUSTOMS
Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you
will be able to—
Recognize the purpose of military customs.
From time to time, situations arise that are not
covered by written rules. Conduct in such cases is
governed by customs of the service. Customs are
closely linked with tradition, and much esprit de corps
of the naval service depends on their continued
maintenance. (Custom has the force of law; usage is
merely a fact. There can be no custom unless
accompanied by usage.)
A custom is a usual way of acting in given
circumstances. It is a practice so long established that it
has the force of law. An act or condition acquires the
status of a custom under the following circumstances:
When it is continued consistently over a long
period
When it is well defined and uniformly followed
When it is generally accepted so as to seem
almost compulsory
When it is not in opposition to the terms and
provisions of a statute, lawful regulation, or
order
MILITARY COURTESIES
Learning Objectives: When you finish this chapter,
you will be able to—
Identify how to, when to, and to whom to render
the hand and rifle salute.
Identify the military courtesies when ship and
boat passing honors are rendered.
Courtesy is an act or verbal expression of
consideration or respect for others. When a person acts
with courtesy toward another, the courtesy is likely to be
returned. We are courteous to our seniors because we
are aware of their greater responsibilities and authority.
We are courteous to our juniors because we are aware of
their important contributions to the Navy’s mission.
In the military service, and particularly in the Navy
where personnel live and work in close quarters,
courtesy is practiced both on and off duty. Military
courtesy is important to everyone in the Navy. If you
know and practice military courtesy, you will make
favorable impressions and display a self-assurance that
will carry you through many difficult situations. Acts of
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It rests with us to make the traditions and to set the pace for those who are to
follow and so upon our shoulders rests a great responsibility.
—Esther Voorhess Hasson,
First Superintendent, Navy Nurse Corps, 1908
