Military courtesy

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Military courtesy

Military courtesy is one of the defining features of a professional military

Military

A military is an organization authorized by its nation to use force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or Threat of force ....
force. These courtesies form a strict and sometimes elaborate code of conduct.

Military courtesy is an extension and a formalization of courtesies practiced in a culture's everyday life. It is intended to reinforce discipline and the chain of command

Chain of command

In a military context, the chain of command is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a military unit and between different units....
, defining how soldiers will treat their superiors and vice versa. They are also thought to enhance esprit de corps.

Some military courtesies include proper forms of address ("Sir", "Ma'am", "Mister") and when each should be used; the salute

Salute

A salute is a gesture or other action used to display respect. Salutes are primarily associated with armed forces, but other organizations also use salutes....
, and the related concept of standing at attention

At attention

The position of At attention, or Standing at attention is a military posture which involves the following general postures:*Arms to the side, along the seams of the trousers...
; proper wear of military headgear

Headgear

Headgear, headwear or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head .Headgear serve a variety of purposes:...
; obeisance; and the rules for behavior in various ceremonies.

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Encyclopedia

Military courtesy is one of the defining features of a professional military

Military

Chain of command

Salute

At attention

Headgear

Military rank

Military rank is a system of hierarchy relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms....
, location, and circumstances. A military funeral, for example, requires stricter etiquette than a normal day. Courtesies are sometimes relaxed under battlefield conditions; officers may discourage salutes in combat areas to avoid making themselves a target for sniper

Sniper

A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
s, and indeed in the United States of America as well as some Commonwealth

Commonwealth

The England noun commonwealth dates from the fifteenth century. The original phrase "common-wealth" or "the common weal" comes from the old meaning of "wealth," which is "well-being." The term literally meant "common well-being." Thus commonwealth originally meant a state or nation-state governed for the common good as opposed to an autho...
nations, it is forbidden to salute both indoors, and when in "the field", a battle situation where snipers are likely to pick out officer targets watching for salutes.

Military courtesies may also be adopted by paramilitary

Paramilitary

A paramilitary is a force whose function and organisation are similar to those of a professional military force, but which is not regarded as having the same status....
organizations.

Military courtesy

See also