Military Military Customs and Courtesies 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At approximately what distance should a soldier initiate a hand salute to an officer?
- 3 paces
- 6 paces (Correct answer)
- 12 paces
- 20 paces
Correct answer: 6 paces
Soldiers initiate the salute at approximately 6 paces (about 30 feet) when it is apparent they will pass near an officer.
Question 2: Which hand is used to execute the US military hand salute?
- The left hand
- The hand nearest to the officer
- The right hand (Correct answer)
- Either hand at the soldier's discretion
Correct answer: The right hand
The right hand is always used to render the hand salute unless the right hand is injured.
Question 3: Who among the following does NOT rate a hand salute from enlisted personnel?
- A commissioned officer
- A warrant officer
- A noncommissioned officer (NCO) (Correct answer)
- A commissioned officer from an allied nation
Correct answer: A noncommissioned officer (NCO)
NCOs do not rate a hand salute; salutes are rendered to commissioned and warrant officers who hold appointments from the President.
Question 4: In a military work environment, what command is typically called when an officer enters the room?
- "Attention"
- "Fall in"
- "At ease" (Correct answer)
- "Stand by"
Correct answer: "At ease"
"At ease" is called in work areas, allowing personnel to continue duties while acknowledging the officer; "Attention" is reserved for more formal occasions.
Question 5: In a formation, when do individual soldiers render a hand salute to an officer?
- Whenever a commissioned officer passes within 6 paces
- Only when the formation commander orders them to salute (Correct answer)
- Whenever the officer is of the rank of Major or above
- Only soldiers in the front rank salute
Correct answer: Only when the formation commander orders them to salute
In a formation, only the commander of the formation renders the salute; individual soldiers do so only when commanded.
Question 6: When a soldier's hands are occupied with equipment and a hand salute cannot be rendered, what is the proper military courtesy?
- Nod the head toward the officer
- Render a verbal greeting such as "Good morning, sir/ma'am" (Correct answer)
- Stop, set down the equipment, and render a proper salute
- Continue without any acknowledgment
Correct answer: Render a verbal greeting such as "Good morning, sir/ma'am"
When unable to render a hand salute, a soldier renders a verbal greeting to acknowledge the officer's presence.
Question 7: What is the correct position of the hand and arm when rendering a military hand salute?
- Palm facing outward with arm fully extended at shoulder height
- Fingertips touching the right eyebrow or brim of headgear with the elbow at approximately 45 degrees (Correct answer)
- Hand flat against the forehead with elbow parallel to the ground
- Right hand raised above the head with fingers together
Correct answer: Fingertips touching the right eyebrow or brim of headgear with the elbow at approximately 45 degrees
The proper salute ends with fingertips touching the right eyebrow or brim of headgear, upper arm parallel to the ground, and elbow at about 45 degrees.
Military Military Customs and Courtesies 1
At approximately what distance should a soldier initiate a hand salute to an officer?