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 References Student Study Assignments Instructor Requirements Equipment Required Materials Required 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 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) Id Name 5836013927680/96454N LCD DATA PROJECTOR 6730-00-577-4813 Screen, Projection, BM-10A, Stand 702102982124/70209N Computer, Personal System Instructor Materials: a. This Training Support Package (TSP) Stu Ratio Additional Information Inst Ratio Spt Qty Exp 1:1 No 0 No 1:1 No 0 No 1:1 No 0 No b. Pencils c. Paper Student Materials: a. None 1
Classroom, Training Area, and Range Requirements Instructional Guidance Organizational Classroom 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. 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. 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 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 Terminal Learning Objective Safety Requirements Risk Assessment Level Evaluation Instructional Lead-In 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. SHOW Slide 2 (Terminal Learning Objective) Inform the students of the following Terminal Learning Objective requirements. At the completion of this lesson, you [the student] will: Action: Conditions: Standards: Explain the history of Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions Given AR 600-25 and FM 7-21-13, and demonstration in appropriate military Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Military Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions Conduct a safety brief prior to training as needed and IAW unit and installation policies. Low - Risk Assessment to be produced locally IAW FM 5-19, July 2006. None 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 SHOW Slide 3 (History of Customs and Courtesies) 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. SHOW Slide 4 (Customs) 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
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. 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. SHOW Slide 6 (Traditions) 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 9 th 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. Check on Learning. 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
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. 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 9 th 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. SHOW Slide 7 (Terminal Learning Objective) 7
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE ACTION: Explain the history of Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions CONDITIONS: STANDARDS: Given AR 600-25 and FM 7-21-13, and demonstration in appropriate military Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions 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. 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. Testing Requirements Feedback Requirements STUDENT EVALUATION None 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