The White Falcon - 22.02.1985, Side 3

What your salute says
about you!
By Col. Jam^s E. Rousey
4th Tactical Fighter Wing
combat support group commander
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB, N. C. (TACNS) — When
speaking of military customs and courtesies, the
thought which most often comes to mind is the
salute. While saluting is an important part of
military customs and courtesies, it is often the
most misunderstood.
You have undoubtedly seen someone who has fail-
ed to give or return a salute. You may have also
heard someone question why he or she must salute.
We salute in adherence to military customs and
courtesies. While there is a very fine line that
distinguishes the two, it is significant to note
that difference. Military* customs evolve as a
result of tradition. That is, things that re-
petitively happen over a period of time. Some
examples are dining-ins, dining-outs, military
weddings and certain social graces.
Military courtesies, on the other hand, are
required by regulation and failure to render such
courtesies may result in disciplinary action.
Courtesies are a part of our military duties; they
are a strong strand in the fabric which holds the
military together.
Even though military courtesies are prescribed
by regulation, they should not be a source of ir-
ritation or a-burden. In most cases they are
simple expressions of politeness and respect, both
of which I have always found to be useful allies
when working with people in any situation regard-
less of rank or whether they were military or
civilian. A common source for all of this is
respect for one another, which is an attitude we
should encourage among military people.
There are several opinions as to the origin of
the salute. However, the general consensus seems
to be that it dates back to the days of chivalry,
when knights were mounted and covered in armor.
When friendly knights met it was customary for
each to raise his visor for identification. This
was always initiated by the junior person and with
the right hand--a significant gesture of friend-
ship and confidence when you consider that it
took the fighting hand away from the sword. The
gesture of raising the hand to the visor came to
be recognized as the proper greeting between
soldiers.
Although the head gear and the weapons have
changed and the salute itself modified, it still
remains the unique form of an exchange of greet-
ings between professional military people.
In the Air Force, we have learned that there
are some experiences we do not need to blindly
blunder into. Such lessons can often be too ex-
pensive and dangerous in managing a military or-
ganization. When military courtesy is lacking in
an organization, discipline becomes a casualty.
For some years the Soviet army dropped all normal
military courtesies, and the results proved dis-
Schedule of religious services
Friday
7:30 p.m. Jewish Sabbath
Saturday
5:00 p.m. Catholic Mass
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Lutheran Communion Service (First t
and third Sundays)
9:15 a.m. Sunday School (Child Care Center, jf
Family Services Center and Upper j
School)
9:30 a.m. Catholic Mass
11:00 a.m. Protestant Morning Worship (Com- &
muni on first Sunday)
11:00 a.m. CCD (Lower School)
12:30 D.m. Catholic Mass
5:00 p.m. Episcopal Communion Service
7:00 p.m. Evening Bible Study
iLay Reader Services (Upper School)
9:30 a.m. Church of Christ
10:00 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of f;
Latter-day Saints
3:00 p.m. Pentecostal Service at Chapel
astrous; discipline and morale were almost non-
existant. We cannot afford such costly experi-
mentation.
The smartness with which you salute says some-
thing about your pride and professionalism. What
does your salute say about you?
Parents urged to caution "ramblers"
Parents are cautioned about bringing their
children to the Base Gym and letting them play un-
attended. Parents are reminded that they are re-
quired to stay with their children if the child is
under 10 years of age.
Navy Relief Society
graduates volunteers
Navy Relief Awards were presented at the Family
Services Center on January 29 in conjunction with
mini-course training for new Navy Relief volun-
teers.
Chaplain Paul Williams presented the awards.
The recipients of the 100 hours pin were Gena
Wood for instructing the Pregnancy and Post Partum
Exercise class, Grace Binkley as Visiting Nurse
and Norma Lundquist as receptionist. One person
earned the 100 hours and 300 hours pins, that
was Lieutenant David Lawrence, chairman of the
1984 fund drive. Sharon Swansen earned the
300 and the 600 hours pins for being chairman of
volunteers.
The Navy Relief Society could still use volun-
teers. According to Sharon Swansen, child care
will be paid for while volunteers are working in
the office. For more information contact Sharon
Swansen at 4602 or 7340.
The White Falcon February 22, 1985
3