Are military customs and courtesies a honored tradition or an inconvenience?

SFC Stephen Hester — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 10:05:29 -0400

It's apparent from some of our discussions that military customs and courtesies evoke strong emotions within our community. Just look at the debates over whether or not a PFC should stand at parade rest for a SPC or whether or not a 2LT should salute a 1LT. Now we have the styrofoam salute flap. So, are our customs and courtesies traditions to be honored or just inconveniences that we are required to observe?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2014 11:27 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 11:27:58 -0400

I vote for an Honored Tradition. Tradition is a good thing - it ties ones actions to the past.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 29 at 2014 11:39 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 11:39:03 -0400

We definitely need to continue to emphasize our customs, courtesies AND our traditions. Many of these things have been put 'on the back burner' to a degree during the past decade (plus) of deployments and high optempo. Time to start bringing them back again.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 29 at 2014 12:42 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:42:32 -0400

They should be and always practiced as honored traditions, but I gather that not everyone will agree, especially those who like to duck indoors at 1655:55!

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 29 at 2014 2:23 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:23:08 -0400

Honored traditions - While some traditions are more cumbersome such as the "change of command” ceremony many help to define what the military is all about. In honoring our traditions it instills the core values of decipline, duty, honor and country in my opinon.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Sep 30 at 2014 9:53 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 09:53:34 -0400

Customs and courtesies are embedded into the military since time began. Some are simply done to reinforce the chain of command that has always been used, and some instill that sense of commitment to those you serve with, that make units more cohesive in good and bad times.
I think traditions are a different case completely. Each military service has their own traditions, because each has a different history, and those traditions are a link to the past.
That said, I have seen, and heard all sorts of comments about the President and his "Latte salute" and I still say, the Marines salute the OFFICE of the President, not the man himself. They render the salute in respect of the OFFICE, and it wasn't until Regan that the salute was returned by a president, so I have to give President Obama his props for TRYING to return a salute by any way or form.... though He is in no way obligated to return the salute... I suppose, in his way, He was showing them he saw and appreciated their salute... though I certainly wish he'd put the damned cup into his other hand before he gave that half-hearted wave of the hand.
Now, as to traditions being an inconvenience... ask me at some other time besides late September, when every Marine still breathing, casts a few thoughts towards the coming "Birthday" in November. Its one of our richest tradtions, that 10th of November, and I cannot explain it in a way that most outside of our Corps would understand, but I will say, the Birthday Balls are incredible, yes, but the most emotional part of that day... for me, is always the cake ceremony. Perhaps, its because I am not only a Marine, but the daughter, grandaughter and great grandaughter of Marines, but whatever the reason, that simple ceremony of cutting the oversized birthday cake, and passing the first pieces to the oldest, and the youngest Marines, always reinforces in my mind, that sense of being a part of a whole... of a continuious line of service that began in 1775, and that, to me, is a intensely personal part of the traditions we have.
Knowing all that, you might understand why I believe customs and courtesies are ingrained into the military in ways that sometimes make little sense to us, but have strong reasons for their survival, while the traditions followed by the various services, are still viable because they give those who serve a sense of being part of a whole.

Response by PFC Kenneth Burdette made Apr 3 at 2016 5:52 PM

PFC Kenneth Burdette — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 17:52:56 -0400

Honored Tradition

Response by SSgt Timothy Nestor made Apr 4 at 2016 7:20 PM

SSgt Timothy Nestor — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 19:20:35 -0400

The cstoms and courtesies are what officers earned when they graduated from college. Staff Ncos and Ncos earned that from promotions and if they are a officer male or female the rate a salute no matter if you respect them or not. Semper Fi all

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 6 at 2016 2:47 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 14:47:13 -0400

They're part of the job. Some make sense. Some don't. So far none is so stupid to make me quit, and none too honored to make me happy.

Except honors rendered to the flag. I still like those.

Response by SGT Joe Downs made Sep 16 at 2019 3:27 PM

SGT Joe Downs — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 15:27:31 -0400

Customs, Courtesies and Traditions, ALWAYS! Why do we feel the need to re-invent the wheel? I am also reminded that "Anything goes, when everything's gone". My opinion, only counts for me, but Shape Up or Ship Out, Man-up or wilt, Airborne Prop-Blast, GROG , RHIP, STRAC, Esprit de Corps, and of course parade rest where dictated in the presence of NCO's, attention and salutes to Officers, the rendering of Honors at Retreat, and for Ceremonial observations. I grew up old school, and damn; it served me well. You have to know where you came from before you can know where you're going. Sometimes I think we have embraced New Age phycology too much. I have to wonder if possibly all the dope smoking hippies of the 60's and 70's who rose to the positions where they could make the newest rules didn't get it all wrong from the beginning. Liberal gut choking, pinko, mamby-pamby, no-load, dip-dunk, bottom sucking pond scum who WILL NEVER BE happy or satisfied until the whole universe complies with their erratic brain farts and ideas. I say OLD SKOOL still rules!! And if you see Customs, Courtesies and Traditions as "inconvenient"; Well, Hoss, get yourself a ticket on the first ride out of the Country, I'm sure you'll fit in just fine somewhere else. Love it or Leave it!