AFP Customs and Traditions PDF

A. DEFINITION OF TERMS B. AFP TRADITIONS C. AFP CUSTOMS  TRADITIONS - ARE INHERITED PRINCIPLES, STANDARDS AND PRACTICES THAT SERVE AS THE ESTABLISHED GUIDES FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP  CUSTOMS - ARE ACCEPTED PRACTICES REALIZED THROUGH CONTINUED USAGE THAT HAS FORCE AND...

A. DEFINITION OF TERMS B. AFP TRADITIONS C. AFP CUSTOMS  TRADITIONS - ARE INHERITED PRINCIPLES, STANDARDS AND PRACTICES THAT SERVE AS THE ESTABLISHED GUIDES FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP  CUSTOMS - ARE ACCEPTED PRACTICES REALIZED THROUGH CONTINUED USAGE THAT HAS FORCE AND EFFECT OF A COMMON LAW  VALOR - AN ACT OF A MARKED DEGREE OF COURAGE AND BRAVERY IN THE PRESENCE OF DANGER OR IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY  HONOR - AN ACT OF RESPECT GAINED BY MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AFP FROM THE CIVILIAN POPULACE THROUGH GOOD DEEDS AND GOOD EXAMPLES  DUTY - AN ACT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-SACRIFICE A SOLDIER WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE.  LOYALTY - AN ACT OF WILLING OBEDIENCE TO THE GOVERNING LAWS OF THE COUNTRY, THE CONSTITUTION, AND LAWFUL SUPERIORS  SOLIDARITY - AN ACT OF UNITY AND TEAMWORK SHOWN BY EVERY MEMBER OF THE AFP WHICH SERVES AS AN ALLY IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MISSION.  NATIONAL COLORS AND ANTHEMS - THE PHILIPPINE FLAG AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM SYMBOLIZE ALL DEMOCRATIC IDEALS THAT OUR COUNTRY STAND FOR AND SERVE TO REMIND US OF THE SACRIFICES OF OUR HEROES IN GAINING OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM FOREIGN RULE.  NATIONAL COLORS AND ANTHEMS National Flag – we should always respect the National Flag by saluting it whenever it passes during parades and other ceremonies where it is raised or lowered  NATIONAL FLAG a) When aboard a vehicle and a flag ceremony begins, halt, dismount and face the Philippine flag and salute. It is impractical to dismount or when ceremony is almost over, you may just halt and sit erect. b) When the Philippine Flag is tattered or worn down, do not display it anymore. Replace them immediately. Note: The best way to dispose a tattered flag is to bury it.  NATIONAL COLORS AND ANTHEMS National Anthem – the same measure of respect and reverence is shown to the National Anthem. a) When it is being played, face the source of the music (amplifier) or the band playing it and salute. b) When with a group, not in formation, you may salute individually during the play of the National Anthem.  MILITARY SENIORITY Officers by virtue of their being commissioned are seniors to enlisted personnel. In the same manner, high-ranking non-commissioned officers to low-ranking NCOs. Hence, officers and NCOs have accorded forms of respect befitting their ranks and positions in the military organization.  MILITARY SENIORITY Ranks has its privilege – by military traditions, officers and senior NCOs enjoy some RHIPs  RANKS HAS ITS OWN PRIVILEGE Pointers to remember when addressing or dealing with an Officer: a) Salute – render salute in a dignified manner. b) Word of Address – always use the word “Sir”, “Po” or “Opo”. c) Position of Honor – when walking, sitting or riding a vehicle with a officer or any senior, always walk or sit on his left side. d) Commander’s wish – when a commander says “I desire....” or “I wish”, this expression should be taken and carried out with all authority and force of direct order.  MILITARY SENIORITY NCOs Ranks and Positions – NCOs attain their ranks and position by virtue of their competence and qualifications. Thus, to be promoted and be designated as head NCOs or Chief of a unit is always considered as an achievement.  NCOs RANKS AND POSITIONS Points to remember when addressing and dealing with a senior CO. a) In the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force, Technical Sergeants are addressed as “Tech”, Chief, Senior or Master Sergeant as “Master”. If uncertain with the rank, politely address them as “Sarge”.  NCOs RANKS AND POSITIONS Points to remember when addressing and dealing with a senior CO. b) Private First Class and Privates may normally be addressed as “Private”; to some, it is more flattering to be called “Warrior”, “Trooper” for members of the Special Forces, “Ranger” for Scout Rangers, “Noy” or “Iho” may be addressed by an officer to junior enlisted personnel.  NCOs RANKS AND POSITIONS Points to remember when addressing and dealing with a senior CO. c) First names may be addressed to juniors or contemporaries only and never to seniors.  NCOs RANKS AND POSITIONS Points to remember when addressing and dealing with a senior CO. d) Generally accepted way of making up informal military nicknames is to used the first two syllables of the soldier’s name such as “Tintoy” or “Toinks” for Tolentino.  FUNERALS AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES 1) Taps – “funeral bugle call”. During this solemn ceremony, all military personnel present come to attention and salute. After the shots, the “taps” is sounded. The National Flag draped over the casket is slowly removed and neatly folded by the most senior officer or NCO and given to immediate family member of the deceased.  FUNERALS AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES 2) Funeral Visitation – the Commanding Officer sends his personal letter of condolences to the bereaved family of his men. Military vigil guards shall be posted beside the casket and a standardized Philippine Flag shall be draped over it.  MILITARY WEDDINGS 1) Background Investigation (BI) – Officers and Enlisted personnel are required by AFP regulations to request permission to marry from their commanding officer by submitting a properly accomplished Personal Action Form (PAF) and by requesting for a Background Investigation on his prospective bride. The BI is not intended to find out if a soldier had made the right personal choice, but rather to determine if his future wife will not be potential risk for the AFP.  MILITARY WEDDINGS 2) “Draw Swords” Ceremony – a traditional military church wedding. The bride and the groom (an officer of NCO) may wish to have this ceremony. A Military Sword Detail of at least four pairs of officers or NCOs shall be organized among the friends of the groom in his unit.  VISITATIONS 1) Hospital Visits 2) Field Visits  MILITARY CEREMONIES AND SOCIALS 1) Parades – Military parades and review are held in military camps to honor senior commanders, government officials and dignitaries. Parade and Reviews may be held both in the morning or in the afternoon and mainly to showcase to the Guest of Honor and audience the smart appearance and executions of the troops.  MILITARY CEREMONIES AND SOCIALS 2) Military Honors a) Full Complement Honors (1) Dignitaries Gun Salute Ruffles Music Unit Size Arr l/ Optr President/Ex-President 21 21 4 Nat’l Anthem Bn Foreign Heads of State 21 21 4 Nat’l Anthem Bn Vice President 19 19 4 March Bn Chief of Justice 19 19 4 March Bn Department Secretaries 19 19 4 March Bn  MILITARY CEREMONIES AND SOCIALS 2) Military Honors a. Full Complement Honors (2)Military Officers Gun Salute Ruffles Music Unit Size Arr l/ Optr Chief of Staff 19 19 4 Gen March Bn General 17 17 4 Gen March Bn Lieutenant General 15 15 4 Gen March Bn Major General 13 2 Gen March Coy Brigadier General 11 1 Gen March Coy  MILITARY CEREMONIES AND SOCIALS 2) Military Honors a. Sideboys and Plane Side Honors (1)Civilian Dignitaries Sideboys Plane Side Honors Officer EP Officers EP President/Ex-President 1 8 1 20 Foreign Heads of State 1 8 1 20 Vice President 1 8 1 18 Senator / Congressmen 1 8 1 16 Chief of Justice 1 8 1 16 Department Secretaries 1 8 1 16  MILITARY CEREMONIES AND SOCIALS 2) Military Honors a. Sideboys and Plane Side Honors (1)Military Officers Sideboys Plane Side Honors Officer EP Officers EP General 1 8 1 16 Lieutenant General 1 8 1 14 Major Service Commanders 1 8 1 14 Military Vicar 1 6 1 12 Major General 1 6 1 12 Brigadier General 1 6 1 10 Colonel/Lt Colonel 1 4 - - Other Commissioned Officers 1 2 - - MILITARY CEREMONIES AND SOCIALS 3) Unit Anniversaries 4) Happy Hours  AFP TRADITIONS  AFP CUSTOMS BENEFITS:  A well rounded military training; leadership and physical fitness;  With pay and allowances while on training;  Commission with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the AFP;  Progressive career as an officer in the Philippine Army;  Pension upon retirement; and  The exceptional privilege to serve your Country. QUALIFICATIONS:  Natural born Filipino Citizen;  Good moral character;  Single and never been married;  5 feet 4 inches tall if male / 5 feet 2 inches if female;  Not more than 30 years old;  Advance ROTC graduate;  Baccalaureate degree holder; and  Physically and Mentally Fit.