Military Etiquette

A brief guide to the standards of behaviour expected from RAFVR(T) and ATC that is known as military etiquette.

Basic Rules

Pilot Officers, Flying Officers and Flight Lieutenants are Junior Officers. Junior Officers may address one another by their first name. Junior officers do not salute other junior officers.

In addition, Pilot Officers, Flying Officers and Warrant Officers are sometimes referred to as Mr, Mrs or Miss.

Officers holding the rank of Squadron Leader, Wing Commander and Group Captain are Senior Officers.

Officers who hold the rank of Air Commodore and above are Air Officers.

Junior Officers are to address Senior and Air Officers as “Sir” or “Ma’am” and never by their first name.

Junior officers are to salute all Senior and Air Officers.

Officers of the rank of Squadron Leader and above extend full military courtesies to each other.

Warrant Officers call all officers “Sir” or “ Ma’am”.

CIs are mainly members of the Sergeants Mess and should be guided accordingly.

The Messes

There are three messes

	The Officers’ Mess
	The Sergeants’ Mess
	The Junior Ranks’ Mess

Arrival and Departure Procedures in the Officers’ and Sgts’ Messes

Warn in/out in the appropriate book in Mess Reception. This does exactly what it says on the cover. It tells the PMC/CMC and Mess staff that you have either arrived or departed. If you know the duration of your stay it is perfectly acceptable to warn in and out in the same entry. Otherwise you will need to warn in on arrival and warn out on departure. The sections to be completed are listed below:

	Last three….digits of your Service Number/CIN
	Rank…. Service rank or CI
	Name
	From / To…
	Normally from the first meal taken i.e. Dinner 1 Nov 01.
	To either the last meal taken say Breakfast 5 Nov 01 or
	TFN (‘Til Further Notice).
	Living in/out…. Living Out is appropriate i.e your normal abode is not the mess
	Parent Unit…. Either your Sqn or XXXX Wing ATC
	Duty…The reason for the visit i.e. camp or course. When you leave to go home Return to Unit (RTU) is usual.

It is essential that you settle your Mess Bill before departing. If you are leaving on a Saturday arrange to pay the Bill by Friday Lunchtime. It is an administrative burden for Messes to hasten payment of Mess Bills and reflects badly on our organisation.

Dress

Image is all-important. Always ensure that you are dressed correctly, appropriately and smartly. Never mix blue uniform with combat kit.

Set a good example, create a good impression and cadets will benefit. If you look scruffy that is the impression the casual observer will assume applies to the Corps.

Remember that a Mess is the home of living in members and is also an exclusive club. Maintain the highest standards and do not allow yourself to be drawn down to poor turnout.

Basic Dos and Don’t’s

	Do read the mess rules (copy normally in your room or ante room)
	Do be polite to mess staff and all Service staff
	Do consider the effect of your behaviour on others
	Do remember you have to work the next day

If in doubt ASK

	Don’t ignore the military courtesies.
	Don’t be over-familiar with senior officers or anyone whose status and rank you are unsure. Safety first!
	Don’t forget that your actions directly affect the impression of your Unit, the Wing and Corps in the minds of those around you, whether or not you are on duty.