AFP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

AFPRESCOM
TRAINING
GROUP

SEQUENCE OF PRESENTATION
1. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2. Military Traditions
3. Military Customs

AFPRESCOM TRAINING GROUP

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Traditions - are inherited principles, standards and
practices that serve as the established guides
for an individual or group.
- accumulated experiences and deeds
passed on from generation to generation both
memory and reality.
Customs - are accepted practices realized through
continued usage that take the force and effect
of a Common Law.
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in

Military Traditions
Traditions of Valor
The Filipino soldier has epitomized valor during gallant
defense at Bataan and Corregidor against the Japanese
Forces.

Tradition of Duty
The Filipino soldier has exemplified himself throughout
history as a dedicated public servant who performed tasks
with a deep sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice.

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Military Traditions
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.

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.
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Military Traditions
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.

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Military Customs
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.
- These Customs done in a dignified manner.
- 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.
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Military Customs
2. Flag Raising Ceremony
- Philippine Flag symbolizes our country and people
- 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 days work to pledge that all
his efforts for the day is dedicated to his country and people.

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Military Customs
3. The Retreat Ceremony
- The sounds of the evening gun during a combined
ceremonial parade and retreat ceremony constitute one of the
most inspiring customs of the service.
- Military personnel in camps of garrisons pause for a
moment either to salute to the Nations 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.
- Throwing or casting earth three (3) times upon the grave,
calling the name of the dead and saying Farewell three times.
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Military Customs
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

- 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.
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Military Customs
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
Officers Club and Officers Mess if the visit is of short duration
and the privilege of membership, if the stay in the vicinity is
extended.

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Military Customs
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 units 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.
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Military Customs
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.

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Military Customs
13. Courtesy Calls
- Significant Courtesy Calls in the Military:
a. An Officer who has been detailed outside of an
organization or has been reassigned to unit outside his Major
Service.
b. An Officers from overseas missions or foreign school
c. Newly promoted Officers
d. An Officers assuming command positions
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.
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Military Customs
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 Commanderin-Chief.

15. Tender calls on Major Service Commanders in the

form of arrival and departure honors.
16. New Years 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
Years Day.
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Military Customs
17. Happy Hour
- Special form of unit Officer comradeship which had been
developing and spreading in recent years.
- Usually held on Friday, 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.

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Military Customs
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 Officers Club and EPs Club

Houses
- This custom enable Officer and EPs to spend their off-duty
social and recreational life in said centers.

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Military Customs
20. Ceremonies at Holiday Dinners
- Practice on Christmas and New Years 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

- 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.

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Military Customs
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.
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Military Customs
24. Survivor Assistance to Bereaved Family
- When any member of a unit dies, an Officer is immediately
designated by the Commanding Officer to render 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
personnels family.

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Military Customs
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.

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Military Customs
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.

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AFP Customs and Traditions

END OF PRESENTATION

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