Military Customs and Traditions

___________ are inherited principles, standards, and practices that serve as the established guides for an individual or group. These are accumulated experiences and deeds passed on from generation to generation both in memory and reality.

__________ are accepted practices realized through continued usage that take the force and effect of a Common Law.

What are the five military traditions?

The Filipino soldier epitomized this during his gallant defense at Bataan and Corregidor against the Japanese Forces. The late General Douglas Macarthur paid tribute to Filipino Soldiery when he proclaimed. “Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I’ll conquer the world”.

The Filipino soldier has exemplified himself throughout history as a dedicated public servant who performed his tasks with a deep sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice. He has made himself a distinct professional by devoting 24 hours a day to his job whenever the situation demanded.

The founding fathers of the AFP as well the nation have courageously demonstrated even in most difficult times this value by leading a life in peace or war with personal dignity and self-worth. In history, they were known for having treasured honor more than life itself when they consistently offered the supreme sacrifice to win their freedom and keep it by refusing to yield to the glitter of gold offered by their former colonizers.

Unity is the strongest, most enduring and powerful military tradition. It is distinction enjoyed by every member of the AFP, who through thick and thin worked together, and in the process, nourished pride and feeling of belonging to the organization.

The Filipino soldier has traditionally held the respect of the nation by shedding much blood and offering the supreme sacrifice in defense of the country. He has consistently given his loyalty to the nation, the Constitution, and also to his seniors, his peers, and his juniors.

Men of arms have used some form of __________ as an exchange of greeting since the earliest times. It has been preserved and its use continued in all modern armed forces, which inherited their military traditions from the Age of Chivalry.

In the Navy, saluting with the _______ is allowed when the right hand is occupied with something or not available for the execution of the same.

______________ symbolizes our country and people.

The Filipino Soldier honors the Flag by ___________ with the troops singing the National Anthem and to the accompaniment of the band before the start of the official day’s work to pledge that all his efforts for the day is dedicated to his country and people.

In our service, it is known to have been in use during the early days of the American occupation. The sounds of the evening gun during a combined ceremonial parade and this ceremony constitute one of the most inspiring customs of the service. Military personnel in camps of garrisons pause for a moment either to salute the Nation’s Flag or sing the National Anthem.

This is a sign of respect and gesture of farewell tendered to a departed comrade-in-arms. IN the older days, they did it by throwing or casting earth three (3) times upon the grave, calling the name of the dead and saying “Farewell” three times.

A worldwide custom used to signal the temporary cessation of hostilities between warring parties.

Military personnel who honorably earned decorations in the performance of duty, displays them as part of the uniform during appropriate occasions.

From the earliest days, the taking of an oath for truth of statement or testimony has been a solemn and serious matter accompanied by ceremony. In essence, the taker of the oath calls upon his God to bear witness that the truth would be told.

An officer of any of the armed services visiting at a military post or one who resides in its vicinity is often extended the __________ by the commanding officer after the prescribed official call has been made. This may include the privilege of accommodation at the Officer’s Club and Officer’s Mess if the visit is of short duration and the privilege of membership if the stay in the vicinity is extended.

In most units, it is a ceremony in which recruits are presented to the color for the purpose of signifying acceptance and welcome into the organization.

Prior to the Departure of an officer from his station on a change of assignment, a reception, or other suitable unit function, is usually given by the unit’s officers and ladies in honor of the departing officer and his family. When pressure of work prohibits this nicety, a “Happy Hour” or a simple get - together takes it place.

This is tendered to a military retiree in recognition of his long, faithful and honorable service to the AFP.

______________ add more distinction and excitement to the regimented life of military personnel. As the day-to-day activities bore on, the sounds of these calls rejuvenate every system of his body to continue performing the things as signaled by each call.

Officers promoted to star ranks call on the Major Service Commander, Chief of Staff, AFP and the Secretary of National Defense after taking their oath of office before the Commander-in-Chief.

Calls on the ___________________ are usually accompanied by some form of arrival and departure honors.

It has been an invariable custom throughout the AFP that officers make a formal call upon their Commander during New Year’s Day.

This is a special form of unit officer comradeship which had been developing and spreading in recent years. When this is directed, officers gather at their local club for a beer and conversation. Usually held on Fridays, the growing customs calls for a light hearted jesting about the events of the week, or airing a minor gripe, and blowing off a little steam, it may also be a time to slip in a judicious request for a pass or event to inquire about taking a leave. Behavior and activities conform strictly to the moral and ethical standards set forth in this Code.

These customs are generally the same for all faiths. They vary only as chaplains of the different churches incorporate other procedures to add to their color and tone.

This custom enables officers and EP to spend their off-duty social and recreational life in said centers.

This is the practice on Christmas and New Year’s Day, in which Commanding Officers visit troops during meal time or prior to the serving of the meal. The method varies rather widely.

This is another practice on Christmas in which children of the organization are given gifts and entertained. The Chaplain, Special Service Officer or Ladies Club with the band present jointly organizes this.

Whenever a choice is to be made, such selection of billets or quarters or electing means of transportation, the option of section follow rank, with senior given the privilege to select first.

A military personnel who is sick in the hospital is visited by available officers and enlisted personnel of the unit in such number as may be permitted by the doctor or surgeon in charge. An officer or soldier of his unit visits him in order that his needs are attended to.

When any member of a unit dies, an officer is immediately designated by the commanding officer to render every possible assistance to the bereaved family. A similar courtesy may be tendered, if desired, in the case of a death of a member of any personnel’s family.

When the commanding officer states, “I wish,” or “I desire” rather than “I order that you do such and such, this wish or desire has all the force of a direct order.

The place of honor is on the ______. Accordingly, when a junior walks, rides, or sits with a senior he takes position abreast and to the left of the senior, this is akin to the deference, that a young man pays his elders.

The word _____ is used in military conversation by the junior officer in addressing a senior, and by all solders in addressing officers. It precedes a report, a query, and follows the answer of a question.