Post by Kurt Steiner on Nov 23, 2017 18:33:20 GMT -5
01. Military customs and courtesies are based on very old traditions. They convey greetings, understanding and respect to those that are junior or senior to you. Most rules of military courtesy are simply common sense, with a little practice; they will become second nature to you. The below generally only applies in in-character situations, but can be used anytime it is deemed appropriate.
02. All members and recruits of the Black Wolf Brigade are expected to know and conduct themselves according to the following standards. Refusal or failure to observe the proper military customs and courtesies can result in disciplinary actions up to, and including, expulsion from the Brigade.
03. Never criticize your service or your leaders in public. All such discussions will be held behind closed doors and in private.
04. Never go over the heads of superiors. Do not jump the chain of command.
05. Never offer excuses or blame others.
06. Never wear a superior’s rank by saying something like, “The Captain wants this done now” when, in fact, the Captain said no such thing. Speak with your own voice and authority.
07. Always begin and end a conversation with a superior with a salute, unless that superior has made it clear that this formality is unnecessary. A superior must always return a salute. To not return a salute is considered disrespectful. The subordinate is always expected to initiate a salute. A salute can be accompanied by a greeting. “Good morning, Sir/Ma’am”, etc. On Discord and these forums a salute is represented by a o and a number 7. Example: o7
08. When a superior officer of O5 rank (Commander) or higher enters an in-character room or channel, and no other officer of equal or higher rank is already present, the highest ranking member present is expected to give the order, “Attention on Deck! Commander/Captain (etc.) Smith arriving/on the bridge (etc.). All members render a salute and discussions are halted until that officer responds with the command, “As you were” or “Carry On”. If the highest ranking member does not see the superior officer arriving or fails to give the appropriate command immediately, any other member of the group can give the command. If that officer enters the room with the words “Carry on” or “As you were”, no announcement of their arrival or salutes are necessary.
09. When addressing other military members in character they are addressed by their rank and last name, such as “Lieutenant Smith,” or “Lance Corporal Smith”. Superiors may also address a lower ranking member as “Mr. /Ms. Smith”. First names may be used by members of the same rank in an informal situation or in private as deemed appropriate by the senior member. If the senior member addresses the subordinate with his/her first name, this is a signal that the subordinate may consider the conversation as an informal one and they can respond in kind.
10. When responding to a superior in a formal situation always say “Yes, sir/ma’am” or “No, sir/ma’am,”(ect). In certain situations the word “Understood” can also be appropriate.
11. It is acceptable for the Captain of a ship, despite their official rank, to be addressed as “Skipper”. An executive officer may be addressed as “XO”.
12. When in-game, the command “Gangway!” should be given by anyone who observes an officer approaching where passage is blocked. Everyone present is expected to move out of the officer’s way. Enlisted members may clear a passage for themselves by announcing “Coming Through!” in cases where it is necessary for them to move quickly to their destination.
13. When given an order, the appropriate response is “Aye, Aye, Sir/Ma’am.” This means three things: that you heard the order, you understand the order, and that you will carry out the order to the best of your ability.
14. When entering an office or location of a senior officer or enlisted member, announce your arrival with o7 “Good Morning (or whatever is appropriate) Sir/Ma’am, Sergeant Smith, Alpha Squad, reporting as ordered” (or for whatever reason you are there). Example: o7 “Good Evening Sir, Sergeant Smith, Alpha Squad, reporting that the recon team has returned and is awaiting debriefing.”
15. When such a conversation is ended the senior member is expected to give the order “Dismissed.” The subordinate then responses, “Aye, Aye Sir/Ma’am” and they may leave. If a superior fails to give the dismissal order, and the conversation seems to be over, the subordinate may say, “Request permission to carry on, Sir/Ma’am”.
16. If you are in a conversation with another member of the military and you agree with a statement or understand a statement you may respond with a single “Aye”.
17. If you do not know the answer to a superior’s question, you will never go wrong with the response, “I don’t know Sir/Ma’am, but I will find out.” Or something to that effect.
18. Never address a senior enlisted member as Sir/Ma’am! You should use their rank, or rank and last name instead. Otherwise, you are likely to hear a very loud speech about a ‘Sir Sandwich’ or that “I am not a sir, I work for a living!”
02. All members and recruits of the Black Wolf Brigade are expected to know and conduct themselves according to the following standards. Refusal or failure to observe the proper military customs and courtesies can result in disciplinary actions up to, and including, expulsion from the Brigade.
03. Never criticize your service or your leaders in public. All such discussions will be held behind closed doors and in private.
04. Never go over the heads of superiors. Do not jump the chain of command.
05. Never offer excuses or blame others.
06. Never wear a superior’s rank by saying something like, “The Captain wants this done now” when, in fact, the Captain said no such thing. Speak with your own voice and authority.
07. Always begin and end a conversation with a superior with a salute, unless that superior has made it clear that this formality is unnecessary. A superior must always return a salute. To not return a salute is considered disrespectful. The subordinate is always expected to initiate a salute. A salute can be accompanied by a greeting. “Good morning, Sir/Ma’am”, etc. On Discord and these forums a salute is represented by a o and a number 7. Example: o7
08. When a superior officer of O5 rank (Commander) or higher enters an in-character room or channel, and no other officer of equal or higher rank is already present, the highest ranking member present is expected to give the order, “Attention on Deck! Commander/Captain (etc.) Smith arriving/on the bridge (etc.). All members render a salute and discussions are halted until that officer responds with the command, “As you were” or “Carry On”. If the highest ranking member does not see the superior officer arriving or fails to give the appropriate command immediately, any other member of the group can give the command. If that officer enters the room with the words “Carry on” or “As you were”, no announcement of their arrival or salutes are necessary.
09. When addressing other military members in character they are addressed by their rank and last name, such as “Lieutenant Smith,” or “Lance Corporal Smith”. Superiors may also address a lower ranking member as “Mr. /Ms. Smith”. First names may be used by members of the same rank in an informal situation or in private as deemed appropriate by the senior member. If the senior member addresses the subordinate with his/her first name, this is a signal that the subordinate may consider the conversation as an informal one and they can respond in kind.
10. When responding to a superior in a formal situation always say “Yes, sir/ma’am” or “No, sir/ma’am,”(ect). In certain situations the word “Understood” can also be appropriate.
11. It is acceptable for the Captain of a ship, despite their official rank, to be addressed as “Skipper”. An executive officer may be addressed as “XO”.
12. When in-game, the command “Gangway!” should be given by anyone who observes an officer approaching where passage is blocked. Everyone present is expected to move out of the officer’s way. Enlisted members may clear a passage for themselves by announcing “Coming Through!” in cases where it is necessary for them to move quickly to their destination.
13. When given an order, the appropriate response is “Aye, Aye, Sir/Ma’am.” This means three things: that you heard the order, you understand the order, and that you will carry out the order to the best of your ability.
14. When entering an office or location of a senior officer or enlisted member, announce your arrival with o7 “Good Morning (or whatever is appropriate) Sir/Ma’am, Sergeant Smith, Alpha Squad, reporting as ordered” (or for whatever reason you are there). Example: o7 “Good Evening Sir, Sergeant Smith, Alpha Squad, reporting that the recon team has returned and is awaiting debriefing.”
15. When such a conversation is ended the senior member is expected to give the order “Dismissed.” The subordinate then responses, “Aye, Aye Sir/Ma’am” and they may leave. If a superior fails to give the dismissal order, and the conversation seems to be over, the subordinate may say, “Request permission to carry on, Sir/Ma’am”.
16. If you are in a conversation with another member of the military and you agree with a statement or understand a statement you may respond with a single “Aye”.
17. If you do not know the answer to a superior’s question, you will never go wrong with the response, “I don’t know Sir/Ma’am, but I will find out.” Or something to that effect.
18. Never address a senior enlisted member as Sir/Ma’am! You should use their rank, or rank and last name instead. Otherwise, you are likely to hear a very loud speech about a ‘Sir Sandwich’ or that “I am not a sir, I work for a living!”