LESSON PLAN

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

1. TITLE: MILITARY CUSTOMS AND TRADITION

2. LESSON OBJECTIVE: To provide the candidate soldiers with

basic knowledge on Military Customs and Tradition.

Task: Discuss the basic military customs and tradition.

Condition: Lecture will be conducted in a classroom environment.

Standard: Acceptable performance is attained if the students had

internalized the different customs and tradition commonly practice in the
military service.

3. Presented to: Candidate Soldier Course

4. Time Allotted: Two (2) periods

5. Type of Presentation: Lecture

6. Uniform: As prescribed in the Training Schedule

7. Equipment: None

8. Issue Materials: Handout and related references.

9. Assignment/Reference(s): Comply with the requirements in the

advance sheet.

10. Training Requirements:

a. Additional Personnel: None

b. Classroom Requirements: Blackboard/Chalk, Eraser, Vu-
graph
c. Instructional Aids: Visual Aids/Transparencies
 LESSON OUTLINE

I. TITLE: MILITARY CUSTOMS AND TRADITION

II. INTRODUCTION: (5 min)

a. Greetings. (As appropriate)

b. Motivation
c. Scope of the Lesson

III. BODY/EXPLANATION: (1 Hrs & 50 min)

1. Definition

2. Military Tradition

- Tradition of Valor
- Tradition of Duty
- Tradition of Honor
- Tradition of Solidarity
- Tradition of Loyalty

3. Military Customs

- Salute
- Flag Ceremony
- The White Flag of Truce
- The Wearing of Decorations
- The Raising of Right Hand in Oath Taking
- Courtesy of the Post
- Presentation of Recruit to Colors
- Funeral Tendered to a Departing Officer
- Ceremony Tendered to a Retiree
- Trumpet or Bugle Calls
- Courtesy Calls
- Happy Hour
- Military Wedding
 LESSON MANUSCRIPT

I. LESSON TITLE: MILITARY CUSTOMS AND

TRADITION
II. INTRODUCTION: (5 Min)

a. Greetings…(As appropriate)
b. Motivation. (Cite the objective and the importance of
the lesson.
c. Scope of the lesson. (Show Transparency #1)

1. Definition
2. Military Tradition
- Tradition of Valor
- Tradition of Duty
- Tradition of Honor
- Tradition of Solidarity
- Tradition of Loyalty
3. Military Customs
- Salute
- Flag Ceremony
- The White Flag of Truce
- The Wearing of Decorations
- The Raising of Right Hand in Oath Taking
- Courtesy of the Post
- Presentation of Recruit to Colors
- Funeral Tendered to a Departing Officer
- Ceremony Tendered to a Retiree
- Trumpet or Bugle Calls
- Courtesy Calls
- Happy Hour
- Military Weddings
III. PRESENTATION: (1 Hrs & 50 Min)

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS (Show Transparency 2)

2. Military Traditions: (Show Transparency

3)

3. Military Customs: The following are some of the

significant customs in the AFP. (Show Transparency 4,
5, 6, 7, & 8)
IV. SUMMARY:
a. Recapitulation.
b. Ask Question. Clear all doubtful points in the lesson.
c. Closure.
MILITARY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
(Student Handout)

I. Definition

Traditions - are inherited principles, standards and practices that

serve as the established guides for an individual or group. Traditions are
accumulated experiences and deeds passed on from generation to
generation both in memory and reality.

Customs - are accepted practices realized through continued

usage that take the force and effect of a Common Law.

II. Military Traditions:

1. Traditions of Valor - The Filipino soldier has epitomized

valor 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 soldier
and I’ll conquer the world”.

2. Tradition of Duty - 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. H has
made himself a distinct professional by devoting 24 hours a day to his
job whenever the situation demanded.

3. Tradition of Honor - The founding fathers of the AFP as well

the nation have courageously demonstrated even in most difficult times
the value of honor 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.

4. Tradition of Solidarity - 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. It
is the hidden ingredient that bound him in oneness to the people he
served. In every endeavor that the Filipino soldier had undertaken, he
always worked as part of the team, an ally in the accomplishment of the
mission, and an indispensable partner of the people whose support he
treasured as vital in the attainment of national objectives.

5. Tradition of Loyalty - 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 tot he nation, the Constitution, and also to his seniors, his
peers and his juniors.

III. Military Customs: The following are some of the significant

customs in the AFP.

1. Salute - Men of arms have used some form of military salute

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. The method of
rendering the salute has varied through the ages, as it still varies in form
among the armed forces for today. Whatever the form it has taken it has
always pertained to military men, and its use definitely restricted to those
in good standing. In the Navy, saluting with the left hand is allowed
when the right hand is occupied with something or not available for the
execution of the same

2. Flag Raising Ceremony - The Philippine Flag symbolizes our

country and people. The Filipino Soldier honors the Flag by raising it
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.

3. The Retreat Ceremony - 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
retreat ceremony constitute one of the most inspiring custom of the
service. Military personnel in camps of garrisons pause for a moment
either to salute to the Nation’s Flag or sing the National Anthem.

4. The Three Volleys Over Graves - 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.

5. The White Flag of Truce - A worldwide custom used to signal

the temporary cessation of hostilities between warring parties.

6. The Wearing of Decoration - Military personnel who

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

7. The Raising of the Right Hand in Taking Oath - 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.

8. Courtesy of the Post - An officer of any of the armed services

visiting at a military post or one who resides in its vicinity is often
extended the “Courtesy of the Post” 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.

9. Presentation of Recruit to Colors - 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.

10. Farewell Tendered to a Departing Officer - 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.

11. Ceremony Tendered to a Retiree - This is tendered to a

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

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

13. Courtesy Calls - The following are some of the significant

courtesy calls in the military:

a. An officer who has been detailed outside of an

organization and rejoining his major service or has been reassigned to
unit outside his Major Service customarily calls on his Major Service
Commander.

b. Upon arrival or prior to departure, officers from

overseas missions or foreign schooling pay a call to their respective
Major Service Commanders. It is also appropriate for officers assuming
foreign pots or coming back from such assignments to call on the Chief
of Staff and the Secretary of National Defense.

c. Officers assuming command positions or similar key

positions call on their immediate commanders, including Major Service
Commanders. They do the same prior to a transfer or relief from duty.

d. Newly promoted officers customarily call on their Major

Service Commanders. This is usually done in groups of the same rank.

In some cases, senior officers who are the subject of all

these calls may be extremely busy to attend or receive callers. It is
always a sign of courtesy and goodwill to have manifested an intention
to pay such a call.

14. Call of Newly Promoted Generals/Flag Officers - 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.

15. Calls on the Major Service Commanders are usually

accompanied by some form of arrival and departure honors.

16. New Year’s Call on the Commanding Officer - It has been an

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

17. Happy Hour - 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.

18. Military Weddings - 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.

19. Patronage of the Officer’s Club and EP’s Club Houses - This
custom enable officers and EP to spend their off-duty social and
recreational life in said centers.

20. Ceremonies at Holiday Dinners - 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.

21. Christmas Holiday Entertainment - 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.

22. Rank Has Its Privileges - 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.

23. Visiting the Sick - 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.

24. Survivor Assistance to Bereaved Family - 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.
 25. “I Wish” and “I Desire” Statement - 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. Place of
Honor - The place of honor is on the right. 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, which a young man pays his
elders.

26. Use of the Word “Sir” - The word “Sir” 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.

SERVICE ETIQUETTE (Military Protocol & Social Graces)

General Conduct:

A. Principles of Good Human Relations

Following are the general principles that you must follow to foster
good human relations:

1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as cheerful

word greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes 65 muscles to frown, only 15 to
smile.
3. Call people by name. The sweetest music to anyone’s ear
is the sound of his own name.
4. Be friendly and cheerful.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as everything you do were a
genuine pleasure.
6. Be genuinely interested with people. You can truly like
everybody if you try.
7. Be generous with praises and cautious with criticisms.
8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. It will surely
appreciated.
9. Be thoughtful of the opinion of others.
10. Be alert to give service. Remember that what counts most
in life is what we do for others

B. Rules of Good Conduct:

 1. Practice the golden rule: “Do unto others what you want others
do unto you.”
2. In the Exercise of your rights and in the performance of your
duties, act with justice. Give everyone what is due to them and observe
honesty and good faith.
3. Respect dignity, personality. Privacy and peace of mind of a
person.
4. Do not humiliate others on the accounts of their religious belief,
lowly status in life, place of birth, physical defects and other personal
conditions.
5. Do not procrastinate. When you have a job to do, do it once.

C. Social Manners & Etiquette

1. Host/Juniors always at the left of the Guest of Honor/Senior

2. When calling a senior over the phone make sure that the junior
officer waits on the phone for the senior officer.
3. Never lean on the desk of a senior officer.
4. Do not smoke in front of a non-smoking senior officer.
5. Never interrupt when a senior officer is talking and when a
senior interrupts, the junior officer normally stops talking.
6. Turn-off or switch to silent mode cell phones and beepers when
attending conferences/meetings, church services, watching movies, etc.
7. Junior officers don’t putt their arms around a senior officer.
8. It is taboo for junior officers to give a gift to their senior officers.
Senior officers on the other hand should not expect gifts from
subordinate officers.
9. Don’t do things on the table like licking the fork, scrape the
plate, mop up the gravy with a piece of bread. If you want to have some
more food, then get on order a new one.
10. If the person next eats your salad or drinks your coffee,
quietly ask the waiter for another. Do not create a scene and embarrass
the guest.
11. Wear your nametag on your right side although a lot of
people I meet wear it on left. This way, when shaking hand, the other
person’s eyes will naturally fall on it.
12. Sit in an attitude of attentiveness to your hast and other
guest, with both feet on the floor, not crossed. And never play with your
silverware.
13. Don’t push your away when you’re done eating. Let your
host or waiter clears your dishes.
 14. In answering phone calls, always be polite and responsive,
give the caller your full attention. Remember that at that moment, you’re
the family or company’s representative
HEADQUARTERS
nd
2 REGIONAL COMMUNITY DEFENSE GROUP, ARESCOM
Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz Soyung Echague Isabela

CODE NAME: _________________ SCORE: _____________

COURSE: _____________________ DATE: ______________

WRITTEN EXAMINATION
(Subject Title Here)

l. TRUE OR FALSE: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if says
otherwise.

________1. Salute has been preserved and its use continued in all modern
armed forces, which inherited their military traditions from the Age of Chivalry.

________2. The Filipino Soldier honors the Flag by raising it 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.

________3. Traditions are inherited principles, standards and practices that

serve as the established guides for an individual or group.

________4. The Three Volleys Over Graves is a sign of respect and gesture
of farewell tendered to a departed comrade-in-arms.

________5. The White Flag of Truce is a worldwide custom used to signal

the continues hostilities between warring parties.

________6. Military personnel who honorably earned decorations in the

performance of duty, displays them as part of the uniform during appropriate
occasions.

________7. 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.

________8. An officer of any of the armed services visiting at a military post

or one who resides in its vicinity is often extended the “Courtesy of the Post” by the
commanding officer after the prescribed official call has been made.

_______9. 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.
 _______10. Customs are accepted practices realized through continued
usage that take the force and effect of a Common Law.

ll. Encircle the letters that correspond to the correct answer.

1. __________are inherited principles, standards and practices that serve as the

established guides for an individual or group.

a. Military Traditions c. Military Courtesy

b. Military Customs d. Military Discipline

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

a. Military Traditions c. Military Courtesy

b. Military Customs d. Military Discipline

3. 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.

a. Tradition of Loyalty c. Tradition of Duty

b. Tradition of Valor d. Tradition of Solidarity

4. 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.

a. Tradition of Loyalty c. Tradition of Duty

b. Tradition of Valor d. Tradition of Solidarity

5. 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.

a. Tradition of Loyalty c. Tradition of Duty

b. Tradition of Valor d. Tradition of Solidarity
 ANSWER KEY

Test I. Test II.

1. True 1. a
2. True 2. b
3. True 3. c
4. True 4. d
5. False 5. a
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True