Service Etiquette

Agenda

• Flag Etiquette

• Receiving Lines

• Commander’s Reception

• Calling Cards

• Dress Codes

Our National Flag

A military man or woman is expected to be an expert on the history and customs governing the display and handling of the national flag

Display of the National Flag

• Raised and lowered by hand

• Displayed only from sunrise to sunset

• Do not raise flag while furled

• Lower the flag slowly and with dignity

• Avoid practice of covering a speaker’s table with the flag

• Always face the flag and turned to follow it

Display of the National Flag

Receiving Lines

• Differences between the way receiving lines are formed at various official, formal and informal receptions

• Be sure to ask for clarification depending on the level of formality of the reception

• Do not chew gum while going through the receiving line

Official Reception

• An aide is at the head of the line and announces guests as they arrive

• Do not shake hands with the aide, simply introduce you’re your date first and then yourself

• The aide will then turn to the host and introduce you and your date

• Shake your hosts hand lightly, but with a degree of firmness and extend a greeting depending on the time of day of the reception

Official Reception

Official reception line protocol not including the aide

1. The official host (usually the commander)2. The guest of honor3. The guest of honor’s wife or husband4. The official host’s wife5. Extra man if possible to avoid leaving a

woman at the end of the line

Commander’s Reception

A social gathering hosted by a commander of an organization to get to know his officer’s and their spouses in a more casual setting

An Example: Commander’s New Year Reception – calling cards

*Note* - Always send a written thank you note to your host within 24 hours after the social event

Calling Cards

David C. Woodruff Jr

Captain (P)Corps of

EngineersUnited States

Army

3 ¼”

1 ¾”

• Cadets are not required to have personal cards, but can if they desire. BUT DON’T cause I will think you are a pompous Ass

• Leave cards at receptions such as the commanders reception they are used in the place of a guest book

Dress CodesFormal (formal = Tux or Evening Gown)

• Military Balls• Equivalent to PROM but Grown Up.

Informal (Informal = coat & tie)• Usually afternoon function• Nothing fussy

Casual (Polo shirt or Blouse and Slacks or Skirt)• Most Often in Army atmospheres ie.. Hail

and farewells & Officer Calls

Conclusion

• Flag Etiquette

• Receiving Lines

• Commander’s Reception

• Calling Cards

• Dress Codes

Questions