NAVAL CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES: GOOD MANNERS IN UNIFORM

good manners in civilian and naval life are demonstrations of one's consideration and respect for others there is no basic difference between civilian and naval etiquette in each case it concerns good manners in action certain procedures however are different but these procedures are the military way of showing consideration and respect for others your first introduction into military courtesy will usually be at the training center you will find that the courtesy most frequently exchanged is the salute as in civilian life the junior takes the initiative but his courtesy is always acknowledged and returned by the senior a junior is correct when he initiates a salute to all military officers of the United States senior to himself this includes officers of the Coast Guard's geodetic survey and Public Health Service when they are serving with the Armed Forces in addition you are correct if you exchange the loose with military officers of friendly foreign governments always exchange a salute with a cheerful greeting and use the military term sir you may greet a woman officer by her military title fine lieutenant good morning unless you know her name morning miss Farley sporting Henderson commanders and above are always addressed by rank good morning captain good morning salute your commanding officer and all officers senior to him at every meeting salute smartly and hold until it is returned unlike the navy and marine corps members of the Army and Air Force salute when they are uncovered when you are on one of their bases follow their customs and avoid embarrass when the national anthem is played and the flag is displayed salutes the colors and hold the salute until the last note of the anthem if the flag is not displayed face the music and salute when the national anthem is played ashore as part of a ceremony salute if you are in uniform if you are in civilian clothes honor the anthem by removing your hat and placing it over your heart if you are not covered place your right hand over your heart at morning or evening colors when no band is present come to a salute on the first note of attention on the bugle or the first whistle blasts and hold the salute if you are a passenger in a boat during the colors ceremony remain seated the cops in or the boat officer will render the salute when carry on is founded drop your salute smartly when you were appearing before an officer to make an official report or request maintain a military bearing and remain at attention until the officer gives you at ease do not sit or smoke unless you are invited to do so be alert for an indication from the officer that he considers the business of the moment terminated you may be dismissed by expressions such as very well or thank you if he gives you an order the proper reply is aye aye sir when passing an officer salute and asked by your leave sir the senior will indicate permission to pass when you are walking with an officer while on duty keep to his left and slightly asked if the senior engages you in conversation come alongside and keep in step when you are with a commissioned officer do not salute his juniors until he does when you are walking with a woman officer it is correct to follow civilian custom and walk on the outside even if it means staying on her right side when you are inside a building and uncovered acknowledge and officers presence with a pleasant reading remember when you are uncovered a greeting or standing at attention is the same display of courtesy as a salute in this situation sing out gangway when an officer approaches and standard attention the officer will tell you to carry on as he passes when an officer enters a room the first person to see him should call attention when all hands are at attention he can state his business briefly and give you carry on as soon as possible bear in mind that when an officer enters your quarters he has a military reason for being there except in unusual situations officers and men always uncover when they enter the crews mess during the serving of meals if an officer should approach your table show him deference but you need not come to attention by custom Navy men always uncover in sick bay quarters in deference to the six and of course in deference to god you always uncover when prayers are said except when you are a member of a military formation if it is appropriate to uncover in a military formation orders will be given in foreign lands whether you are in uniform or civilian clothes it is appropriate to uncover when you enter memorials shrines or places of worship in deference to the customs and institutions of the people when you are engaged in work you do not come to attention or salute unless an officer desires to address you personally when participating in athletic events or games you salute only when addressed officially by an officer men in formation salute only on command therefore if an officer speaks to you directly you've come to attention but do not salute the proper display of military courtesy in the presence of civilian makes them feel proud proud of their Navy and of you they know you have professional pride and that you know your business because Navy men in uniform are always covered when outside the proper greeting to ladies is the salute instead of tipping or removing your hat when you are walking with the lady walk on the outside and offer her assistance only when it is needed introduce officers to civilians whether a light percent the genic matter Scott are famous it's always presenting the gentleman to the lady how happy to meet you l'agent prevent juniors to seniors force to pick them I'd like to meet my brother Charles drew Charles my division officer Lieutenant Lee sir captain Elliott Charles are you brother I wanna introduce and listed personnel to civilians by their name and rating and thereafter refer to them as mr. mr. Johnson I'd like you to meet the chief quartermaster we'll see we'll see mr. Johnson pleasure unsure remember present gentlemen to ladies and juniors to seniors when coming aboard ships regulations require that you salute the national anthem if it is flying then salute the officer of the deck and request permission to come aboard I request permission to come aboard sir permission granted on leaving the ship salute the officer of the deck and request his permission to leave the ship request permission to go ashore sir granted at night it is the custom to salute the colors whenever you bored or leave a ship even though the anson is not actually flying morning and evening colors ceremonies are held only when a ship is in port come to a salute on the first note of attention on the bugle or the first whistle blast on deck event in the color hold the salute until carrion is sounded carry on if you are assigned as century or as the gangway watch be sure to salute all officers passing close aboard even though you may have rendered them a salute earlier in the day military courtesy is nothing more than good manners in uniform officers and men always uncover in the cruise masks during meals except in very unusual situations enlisted men uncover upon entering officers or chiefs country except when they are under arms or in an official duty status such as bridge messengers or as the captain's orderly a ship's boats are her representative courtesy and good manners carefully observed health build and maintain your ships reputation Jr's always enter a boat before and leave after seniors by tradition the seats in the stern are always reserved for officers and petty officers in order of rank according to the availability of seats underway in a small boat the costumes boat officer or the Cox'n and senior officer render all required hand salute you as a passenger remain seated at a relaxed but upright position of attention when you meet officers ashore the solute is the proper courtesy especially when you are both in uniform if you are in uniform and you recognize an officer who is covered and wearing civilian clothes a salute is the correct courtesy the officer is correct if he returned your salute if the officer is uncovered however he can acknowledge your salute with a verbal greeting if you are in civilian clothes and wearing a hat it is proper for you to salute the officer if the officer is uncovered he will respond with a verbal greeting if you're both covered an exchange of solutes is correct if both of you are uncovered no salute is required but a pleasant verbal greeting is always in order if you are in civilian clothes and uncovered and meet an officer in uniform a verbal greeting is appropriate do not salute if you are wearing a hat however salute in some situations you can't salute but you can always give a cheerful greeting use your best judgment but whenever you're in doubt salute wherever you are in the theater at home or a board ship always remember it's the little things you do that indicate you're a well-mannered person to prepare yourself for occasions when they arise study the blue jackets manual for it contains detailed instructions on military courtesy be courteous be Navy