RECRUIT SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM
SOLDIER TRAINING READINESS MODULES
Military Customs, Courtesies and Traditions
17 June 2011
SECTION I.
Lesson Plan
Series
Task(s)
Taught
Academic
Hours
ADMINISTRATIVE DATA
Military Customs, Courtesies and Traditions
Task Number
Task Title
Military Customs and Courtesies
The academic hours required to teach this lesson are as follows:
Test
Test Review
Total Hours:
Resident
Hours/Methods
0 hrs 50 mins / Conference / Discussion
0 hrs 00 mins / Practical Exercise (Performance)
0 hrs
0 hrs
0 hours 50 mins
References
Student Study
Assignments
Instructor
Requirements
Additional
Information
Number
Title
Date
AR 600-20
Army Command Policy
18 Mar 2008
AR 600-25
Salutes, Honors, and
Visits of Courtesy
24 Oct 2004
FM 7-21.13
The Soldier’s Guide
02 Feb 2004
Chapter 4
None
a. 1 Instructor per 35 Soldiers
b. Be familiar with this Training Support Package (TSP)
Equipment
Required
Materials
Required
Id
Name
Stu
Ratio
Inst
Ratio
Spt
Qty
Exp
5836013927680/96454N
LCD DATA PROJECTOR
1:1
No
0
No
6730-00-577-4813
Screen, Projection, BM-10A, Stand
1:1
No
0
No
702102982124/70209N
Computer, Personal System
1:1
No
0
No
Instructor Materials:
a. This Training Support Package (TSP)
b. Pencils
c. Paper
Student Materials:
a. None
1
Classroom,
Training Area,
and Range
Requirements
Organizational Classroom
Instructional
Guidance
NOTE: Before presenting this lesson, instructors must thoroughly prepare by
studying this lesson and the identified reference material.
ATTENTION INSTRUCTORS: Prior to instructing this lesson plan, re-read and be
intimately familiar with AR 600-25, Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy as well as
FM 7-21.13 Chapter 4, Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions.
NOTE: This lesson plan has a substantial number of Check on Learning Questions.
Be aware of any potential concerns the students may have and be prepared to
discuss them.
NOTE: This lesson plan is not designed to teach drill and ceremony, however as
you demonstrate various points of interest, ensure that you are doing them correctly.
(Salute – Positions of At Ease, Parade Rest, and Attention will be emphasized).
2
SECTION II.
INTRODUCTION
NOTE: SHOW Slide 1 (STRM)
Method of Instruction: Conference / Discussion
Instructor to Student Ratio is: 1:35
Time of Instruction: 5 mins
Media: Slide Presentation
Motivator
As a Soldier you will be required to know, understand, and perform military
customs and courtesies for the remainder of your career. If fact, the honor and
pride of representing the Army National Guard will carry into your civilian life as
well. It does not matter if you are here in the Recruit Sustainment Program, in
Basic Combat Training, or serving as a civilian/Soldier, adhering to military
customs and courtesies will occur daily in your commitment to our country. The
Army’s customs and courtesies are an honor to participate in and reflect hundreds
of years of American History.
Terminal
Learning
Objective
NOTE: SHOW Slide 2 (Terminal Learning Objective)
NOTE: Inform the students of the following Terminal Learning Objective
requirements.
At the completion of this lesson, you [the student] will:
Action:
Explain the history of Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions
Conditions:
Given AR 600-25 and FM 7-21-13, and demonstration in
appropriate military Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions
Standards:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Military Customs,
Courtesies, and Traditions
Safety
Requirements
Conduct a safety brief prior to training as needed and IAW unit and installation
policies.
Risk
Assessment
Level
Low - Risk Assessment to be produced locally IAW FM 5-19, July 2006.
Evaluation
None
Instructional
Lead-In
Having received instruction on the Army Values and Drill and Ceremony
(Stationary Drill Movements), you will apply these skills in order to be prepared to
render the correct courtesy and identify and honor rank. These newly acquired
skills will be applied every day you are in the Army and will additionally be trained
and tested during Basic Combat Training.
3
SECTION III.
PRESENTATION
1.
Learning Step / Activity 1. Explain the history of Customs, Courtesies, and
Traditions
Method of Instruction: Conference / Discussion
Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:35
Time of Instruction: 40 mins
Media: Slide Presentation
NOTE:
SHOW Slide 3 (History of Customs and Courtesies)
NOTE:
Review following history of customs and courtesies as you interject personal
experiences to accentuate the contemporary operating environment:



Salute
Subordinate walks on left
Drums and bugle calls
a. History of Customs and Courtesies: (FM 7-21.13, Ch. 4, page 4-1) The Army is
an organization that instills pride in its members because of its history, mission,
capabilities, and the respect it has earned in the service of the Nation. A reflection
of that pride is visible in the customs, courtesies, and traditions the Army holds.
Adherence to them connects us with Soldiers throughout America’s history.
(1) For saluting, some historians believe the hand salute began in the late
Roman times when assassinations were common. A citizen who wanted to see a
public official had to approach with his right hand raised to show he did not hold a
weapon. Knights in armor raised their visors with the right hand when meeting a
comrade. This practice gradually became a way of showing respect and in early
American history sometimes involved removing the hat. By 1820, the motion was
modified by touching the hat, and since then has become the hand salute used
today.
(2) As we walk with our superiors or our subordinates walk with us, it is a
courtesy for the lower ranking individual to walk to the left and slightly behind the
higher ranking individual. This comes from the days of the Cavalry when officers
wore a saber. Because they wore the saber on the left side, the saber was drawn
out in a sweeping motion and ended up on the right side. To prevent injury to
someone on the right side, they walked on the left. This also allowed for the
subordinate to protect the right side of the higher ranking individual.
(3) Drums and bugle calls were used to communicate orders to large groups of
Soldiers on noisy battlefields. Military buglers have been communicating with
Soldiers for centuries. Bugle calls told troops when to eat, when to go to bed, when
to wake up, when to attack, and when to retreat just to name a few.
NOTE:
SHOW Slide 4 (Customs)
NOTE:
The customs of the Army are its common law. Feel free to offer additional
examples of customs from those listed below.
b. Customs: The breech of some Army customs brands the offender as ignorant,
careless, or ill bred. Violations of other Army customs, however, will bring official
censure or disciplinary action.
4
NOTE:
Ask students what they think some examples of customs are. While the students
are reviewing slide 4, interject the following examples of customs.
(1) Never Criticize the Army or a leader in public.
(2) Never go ―over the heads‖ of superiors—don’t jump the chain of command.
(3) Never offer excuses.
(4) Never ―wear‖ a superior’s rank by saying something like, ―the First Sergeant
wants this done now,‖ when in fact the First Sergeant said no such thing. Speak
with your own voice.
(5) Never turn and walk away to avoid giving a hand salute.
(6) Never run indoors or pretend you don’t hear the bugle call for reveille or
retreat. Even while driving.
(7) Never appear in uniform while under the influence of alcohol.
(8) If you don’t know the answer to a superior’s question, you will never go
wrong with the response, ―I don’t know Sir, but I’ll find out.‖
NOTE:
SHOW Slide 5 (Courtesy)
c. Courtesy: While showing slide 5 state that military courtesies may be found in
FM 7-21.13, Ch. 4, and give the following example: We train Soldiers to say ―Sir‖ or
―Ma’am‖ when talking to an officer. Examples of some courtesies are:
(1) Standing at attention when talking to an officer.
(2) When you are dismissed by an officer, or when he departs, come to attention
and salute.
(3) Walking to the left of an officer or an NCO of superior rank.
(4) When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first Soldier to recognize
the NCO calls the room to ―At Ease‖.
(5) When speaking to or being addressed by an NCO of superior rank, stand at
parade rest until directed otherwise.
(6) When an officer of superior rank enters a room the first Soldier to recognize
the officer calls the room to ―Attention‖, but does not salute. Only salute indoors
when reporting to an officer.
(7) When entering or exiting a vehicle, the junior ranking Soldier is the first to
enter, and the senior in rank is the first to exit.
(8) When outdoors and approached by an NCO/Drill Sergeant, you greet the
NCO/Drill Sergeant by saying ―Good morning Sergeant/Drill Sergeant‖ for example.
NOTE:
SHOW Slide 6 (Traditions)
NOTE:
Use the following examples however you are encouraged to accentuate other
traditions based on your own experience.
5
d. Traditions.
(1) Ceremonial duties. Soldiers of the Old Guard have been Sentinels of the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1948.
(2) Bugle Calls.
(3) The green berets of the Army Special Forces.
(4) Airborne units’ maroon beret.
(5) Army Rangers’ tan beret.
(6) The Drill Sergeant Hat.
(7) Cavalry units’ spurs and hats.
(8) Special designations (authorized unit nicknames) such as Manchus, the 9th
Infantry Regiment.
(9) Distinctive items of clothing worn in units such as belt buckles and tanker
boots.
(10) The promotion party.
(11) Unit Mottos such as ―Victory Starts Here!‖ or ―Rangers Lead the Way!‖
(12) And the famous ―Hooah!‖ This informal but always understood sound is
less a word than an audible affirmation of the Warrior Ethos. The Soldier that utters
that sound understands his task and will not quit until it is completed. That sound
means Soldiers are ready and willing to accomplish the mission at hand.
NOTE:
Check on Learning.
NOTE:
Ask for more than just one answer to allow different students the opportunity to be
heard.
QUESTION: What is an example of a custom?
ANSWER:
(1) Never criticize the Army or a leader in public.
(2) Never go ―over the heads‖ of superiors—don’t jump the chain of
command.
(3) Never offer excuses.
(4) Never turn and walk away to avoid giving a hand salute.
(5) If you don’t know the answer to a superior’s question, you will
never go wrong with the response, ―I don’t know Sir, but I’ll find out.‖
(6) Never ―wear‖ a superior’s rank by saying something like, ―the
First Sergeant wants this done now,‖ when in fact the First Sergeant said no such
thing. Speak with your own voice.
(7) Never run indoors or pretend you don’t hear the bugle call for
revile or retreat. Even while driving.
(8) Never appear in uniform while under the influence of alcohol.
(9) If you don’t know the answer to a superior’s question, you will
never go wrong with the response, ―I don’t know Sir, but I’ll find out.‖
6
NOTE:
Ask for more than just one answer to allow different students the opportunity to be
heard.
QUESTION: What is an example of a courtesy?
ANSWER:
(1) The hand salute.
(2) Standing at attention when talking to an officer.
(3) When you are dismissed by an officer, or when he departs, come
to attention and salute.
(4) Walking to the left of an officer or an NCO of superior rank.
(5) When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first Soldier
to recognize the NCO calls the room to ―At Ease‖.
(6) When speaking to or being addressed by an NCO of superior
rank, stand at parade rest until directed otherwise.
(7) When an officer of superior rank enters a room the first Soldier to
recognize the officer calls the room to ―Attention‖, but does not salute. Only salute
indoors when reporting to an officer.
(8) When entering or exiting a vehicle, the junior ranking Warrior is
the first to enter, and the senior in rank is the first to exit.
(9) When outdoors and approached by an NCO/Drill Sergeant, you
greet the NCO/Drill Sergeant by saying ―Good morning Sergeant/Drill Sergeant‖ for
example.
NOTE:
Ask for more than just one answer to allow different students the opportunity to be
heard.
QUESTION: What is an example of a tradition?
ANSWER:
(1) Ceremonial duties. Soldiers of the Old Guard have been
Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1948.
(2) Bugle calls.
(3) The green berets of the Army Special Forces.
(4) Airborne units’ maroon beret.
(5) The Drill Sergeant Hat.
(6) Cavalry units’ spurs and hats.
(7) Special designations (authorized unit nicknames) such as
Manchus, the 9th Infantry.
(8) Distinctive items of clothing worn in units such as belt buckles
and tanker boots.
(9) The promotion party.
(10) Unit Mottos such as ―Victory Starts Here!‖ or ―Rangers Lead the
Way!‖
(11) And the famous ―Hooah!‖ This informal but always understood
sound is less a word than an audible affirmation of the Warrior Ethos. The Soldier
that utters that sound understands his task and will not quit until it is completed.
That sound means Soldiers are ready and willing to accomplish the mission at
hand.
QUESTION: Explain the term ―Jump the Chain of Command‖.
ANSWER:
Any answer resembling the act of going around immediate
supervisor, or going directly to an authority higher than an immediate superior
without gaining permission from that immediate superior.
NOTE:
SHOW Slide 7 (Terminal Learning Objective)
7
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Explain the history of Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions
ACTION:
CONDITIONS:
Given AR 600-25 and FM 7-21-13, and demonstration in appropriate
military Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions
STANDARDS:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Military Customs,
Courtesies, and Traditions
8
SECTION IV.
Ask For Questions and Summary
Method of Instruction: Small Group Instruction
Instructor to Student Ratio: 2:35
Time of Instruction: 5 mins
Media: None
a. Ask students if they have any questions.
b. Answer all questions or agree to get back to students with a complete or appropriate
answer.
NOTE:
SUMMARY
In your own words explain the reasons or purpose for courtesies, customs or traditions or in the
alternative use the following summary: During this block of instruction you have learned the
history and pride that we, as Soldiers, share in the Customs, Courtesy and Traditions that have
been passed down through history. Be observant of appropriate actions, and copy their
behavior as it relates to customs, courtesies, and traditions.
9
SECTION V.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Testing
Requirements
None
Feedback
Requirements
None
10
Appendix A - Viewgraph Masters
VIEWGRAPHS
STRM
Slide #1
Terminal Learning Objective
Slide #2
History of Customs and Courtesies
Slide #3
Customs
Slide #4
Courtesy
Slide #5
Traditions
Slide #6
Terminal Learning Objective
Slide #7
A-1
Appendix B - Test(s) and Test Solution(s) (N/A)
B-1
Appendix C - Practical Exercises and Solutions (N/A)
C-1
Appendix D - Student Handouts (NA)
D-1