CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES

DEFINITIONS

• (a)Non-Commissioned Officers shall be defined as Guardsmen at the rank of:
  • (i)Corporal
    • Junior Non Commissioned Officer
  • (ii)Sergeant
    • Non Commissioned Officer
  • (iii)Staff Sergeant
    • Non Commissioned Officer
  • (iv)Sergeant First Class
    • Senior Non Commissioned Officer
  • (v)First Sergeant
    • Senior Non Commissioned Officer
  • (vi)Sergeant Major
    • Senior Non Commissioned Officer
  • (vii)Command Sergeant Major
    • Senior Non Commissioned Officer
• (b)Commissioned Officers shall be defined as Guardsmen at the rank of:
  • (i)Second Lieutenant
  • (ii)First Lieutenant
  • (iii)Captain
  • (iv)Major
    • Senior Officer
  • (v)Lieutenant Colonel
    • Senior Officer
  • (vi)Colonel
    • Senior Officer
  • (vii)Brigadier General
    • General Officer
  • (viii)Major General
    • General Officer
    • APA Sec 2.4(l) Designed Enforcer
  • (ix)Commander-in-Chief

GENERAL PROVISIONS

• (a)Never criticize a National Guard Leader while in public.
• (b)Never jump Chain of Command or go over heads of superiors.
• (c)Never offer excuses.
• (d)Never wear a superior officer's rank. Speak with your own voice.
• (e)Never avoid giving a hand salute.
• (f)If you do not know the answer to a question then you are to respond with "I do not know (sir/ma'am), but I'll find out".
• (g)When being spoken to or addressed by a Non-Commissioned Officer of superior rank, stand at parade rest until directed otherwise.
• (h)When a Commissioned Officer of superior rank enters a room, the first person to recognize the officer calls the room to attention.
• (i)Guardsmen are to address other personnel how they are supposed to be addressed;
  • (i)Enlisted personnel are to be addressed by their rank followed by their username.
    • Ex: "CORPORAL JYOUNGBIRD"
  • (ii)Commissioned personnel are to be addressed as Sir/Ma'am.
• (j)Stand at attention when being addressed by a Commissioned Officer.
• (k)Walk to the left of an Officer or NCO of superior rank.

SALUTES

• (a)A salute shall be rendered when;
  • (i)When you see uncased National Colors outdoors.
  • (ii)On ceremonial occasions.
  • (iii)The US national anthem, "To the Color", or "Hail to the Chief" are played.
  • (iv)At revile and retreat ceremonies.
  • (v)The sounding of honors.
  • (vi)The pledge of allegiance is being recited.
  • (vii)When relieving an officer or turning over control of formations.
  • (viii)When rendering reports.
  • (ix)When you see an officer in an official vehicle.
  • (x)When you see a commissioned officer outdoors.
• (b)When you are dismissed by an officer, or when he departs, come to attention and salute.
• (c)Do not salute indoors unless you are reporting to a superior officer.

REPORTING

• (a)When reporting to an officer, you are to salute and state "Sir, (rank) reports." You will hold the salute until the report is complete and the officer returns such salute. After the report is given, you are to salute again and hold until returned then execute the face and department.
• (b)When reporting to an NCO, the procedure is the same, however there is no salute rendered.