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
3. The official host (usually the commander)
4. The guest of honor
5. The guest of honor’s wife or husband
6. The official host’s wife
7. 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
3 ¼”

David C.
1 ¾”
Woodruff Jr
Captain (P)
Corps of
Engineers
United States
Army

• 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 Codes
Formal (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