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Customs and Courtesies

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Part A: General

1. Introduction

Customs and courtesies plays an important part in all Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps activities and it contributes to build up the sense of discipline, the 'Esprit de Corps' and mutual respect for every individual in the Corps. There is a fine line separating customs from courtesies but each is rooted from the same source - respect between two individuals for each other. Both customs and courtesies must be observed by all members of the HKACC.

The same courtesies extended by members to HKACC officers are extended to officers of the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong Adventure Corps, officers of the rank of Inspector (or equivalent) and above in the Hong Kong Government Disciplined Services (e.g. Police, Government Flying Service), the armed forces of China (Peopleˇ¦s Liberation Army) and of all allied or friendly nations (e.g. UK, USA).

Acts of courtesies are not marks of inferiority or servility. Rather, they are indications that one person appreciates the position, responsibilities and right of another. Courtesies foster a feeling of pride, respect and comradeship between individuals and they express a high state of unit pride and individual self-respect.

Customs & Courtesies work both ways for juniors and seniors in the HKACC. The courtesy paid to a senior rank is an acknowledgment of the responsibility and authority of his/her position. The courtesy shown to a junior rank is an acknowledgment of his/her essential role as a member of a team. Officers and NCOs are responsible for supervising and directing their subordinate to have proper observance of C&C.

2. Customs and Courtesies

RESPONSE is one of the most important character for the cadet. One must give prompt and proper response or answers to questions from his/her superior. Silence is meaningless. Cadet should response to a question in three basic manner: "Yes Sir/Ma'am/ rank", "No, Sir/Ma'am/ rank" and "I don't know, Sir/Ma'am/rank" in a loud and clear voice.

When a fault has been pointed out by the superior or unable to perform a task, the cadet should declare "No excuse, Sir/Ma'am/rank" with a loud and clear voice. He/she should not offer any explanation unless requested.

The following points are also very important and should be born in mind:

  1. An officer's order is ordinarily accepted without question.
  2. An officer's words like "I wish" or "I desire" has all the force of "I order you".
  3. The place of honour is at the right. A junior walks or sits to the left. A guest at a dinner party is seated at the right of the host.
  4. HKACC members should greet a lady with a slight bow or a salute. The uniform cap should not be tipped or raised in greeting.
  5. HKACC members should escort a lady by walking on her right so that he can salute with his right hand.
  6. One must learn to OBEY before he may COMMAND.
  7. Personal appearance must be exemplary at all times.
  8. Senior officers in a group have the privilege of being the first to choose the seat, food and drink.
  9. Official channel of approach and communication is through CHAIN OF COMMAND. It should be observed and followed by all members of the Corps.

3. Restrictions & Norms

  1. Do not behave in any way which might defame the Corps.
  2. Do not use uniform, emblem or name of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps for any commercial purposes.
  3. Do not use the HKACC organization, uniform, emblem or name in political activities.
  4. Do not impeach the Corps in front of the outsiders. If you feel an improvement can be made, submit a proposal to your superior through proper chain of command.
  5. Do not go over your superior's head.
  6. Do not criticize your fellow officers in front of the others.
  7. Do not lean on officer's desk; stand erect unless invited to sit.
  8. Do not drink alcoholic beverages in uniform whilst on duty.
  9. Do not smoke or chew gum in uniform.
  10. Do not solicit contributions for presents to those in higher positions, or accept a present from anyone who has a subordinate position.
  11. Do not put your hands in the trousers pockets.
  12. Be punctual.
  13. There are no personal friendships in the Air Cadet Corps as far as customs and courtesies are concerned. During official HKACC activities, all cadets and officers will observe the proper customs and courtesies regardless of how well they know one another.
  14. When an officer or officer cadet enters the room, all persons with lower rank should stand or sit attention immediately until the officer directs "SEATS" or "AT EASE" or until he/her leaves the room. Normally, the FIRST one who see the officer should call out "ATTENTION" loudly and clearly to let other cadets follow. However, when an officer enters a room used as an office, workshop, recreation room or classroom in which activities are in progress, those at work, play or lesson are not required to come to attention unless addressed by that officer.

4. Reporting

When reporting to an officer outdoors, a cadet should come to attention two paces in front of the officer, salute and say "Sir/Ma'am, Rank & Name REPORTING AS ORDERED, Sir/Ma'am" in a loud and clear voice. If the officer is engaged, wait until he/she acknowledges you before reporting.

When reporting to an officer indoors, stand at attention outside/beside the door and face to the officer. Knock the door three times and say "Sir/Ma'am, Rank & Name REQUESTS PERMISSION TO ENTER/LEAVE THE ROOM, Sir/Ma'am" and remain outside/beside the door until told to enter/leave.

When leaving an officer outdoors, salute and say "SIR/MA'AM", in a loud and clear voice. When the officer has returned your salute, make an about turn and leave.

When reporting to an officer/NCO/cadet leader in charge of a formation, stand two paces in front of him/her and say "Sir/Ma'am/Rank/Leader, Rank & Name REQUESTS PERMISSION TO JOIN THE TEAM, Sir/Ma'am/Rank/Leader."

Cadets should address Officers and Warrant Officers as "Sir/Ma'am". Cadets should address CWOs and NCOs by his/her name with full rank title, such as Warrant Officer Lee, Flight Sergeant Chan, Corporal Cheung, etc.

When reporting to or being addressed by another cadet of superior rank, the cadet should come to attention.

5. The Cadet Pledge

"Sir/Ma'am, I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Air Cadet Corps, and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate in unit activities, obey my officers, wear my uniform properly and advance my training rapidly so that I may be of service to my community and my fellow men, SIR/MA'AM."

6. Definition of Discipline

"Sir/Ma'am, discipline is that mental attitude and state of training which renders willing obedience and proper conduct instinctive under all conditions. It is founded on respect for and loyalty to all properly constituted authorities, Sir/Ma'Am."

Part B: Saluting and Compliments

1. Introduction

A salute is a sign of loyalty to the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps. Saluting by cadets to officers is a recognition of the Executive Board's Commission, being indirectly a salute to the HKACC through the individual holding the authority of the Corps. Returning a salute by the officer to a cadet is not an acknowledgment of his/her salute to the officer personally, but a recognition of the fact that through an officer he/she has given an outward sign of his/her loyalty to the Corps and to his/her fellow members.

Discipline has been defined as 'that quality which transforms a disorganized rabble into an efficient unit'. The manner in which salutes are given and acknowledged is an indication for all to judge the standard of discipline in any particular unit. It is naturally distasteful to any officer that, from slackness in saluting, his own unit or, worse still, the service to which he has the honour to belong, should be looked upon by others as a 'disorganized rabble'.

It is the responsibility of all officers and cadets to maintain that saluting is carried out correctly and smartly.

2. Saluting Junior Officers

Junior officers (i.e. Flight Lieutenants, Flying Officers and Pilot Officers) would be incorrect in saluting fellow junior officers, irrespective of any appointments they may hold. They salute only on the following occasions:

  1. A junior salutes to a superior officer in acknowledgment of an order given personally on parade.
  2. A junior salutes to a officer senior to him in rank on entering and leaving his office.

Officers under the rank of Squadron Leader are to salute officers of and above that rank, as well as officers of equivalent rank in the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps (Lieutenant Commander), the Hong Kong Adventure Corps (Chief Corps Officer), Hong Kong Government Disciplined Services (Superintendent, Divisional Officer etc.), the armed forces of the Peopleˇ¦s Republic of China (Major/Lieutenant Commander) and of friendly nations (e.g. UK, US). Officers of the rank of Squadron Leader and above are to salute their superior officers.

3. Officers - Saluting Without Arms

Officers are to salute with the right hand, unless physically unable to do so, in which case they are to salute with left hand. Officers are to return salutes made to them. In returning salutes, officers should look in the direction of the persons saluting to them.

When a number of officers are together, it is the responsibility of the senior officer present to return the salute. If the senior officer fails to see the salute, it is the duty of the next senior officer in the party to acknowledge it.

4. General Salute

If a band is in attendance, on the command "GENERAL SALUTE", all officers are to salute on the word of command "SALUTE" and the band is to play the appropriate salute. The salute is to be discontinued on the last note of music.

If no band is present and the cadets are not armed, then when the command "GENERAL SALUTE" is given all officers are to salute on the word of command "SALUTE" and the salute is to be maintained for a period of five seconds before the right hand is returned to the position of attention.

5. Cadets - Saluting Without Arms

Cadets are to salute with the right hand unless physically unable to do so, in which case they are to salute with the left hand.

A cadet when addressing an officer is to halt two paces from the officer. He is then to salute, address the officer and salute again before withdrawing.

When two or more cadets are sitting or standing together the cadet with the highest rank present is to face the officer and call the whole party to attention before saluting. It is the responsibility of the highest rank cadet to salute. If he fails to see the salute, it is the duty of the next senior cadet in the party to acknowledge it.

When a number of cadets are walking together, they are all to salute when passing or overtaking an officer, except when they are being marched as a party.

When cadets recognise officers who are dressed in civilian clothes, they are to salute.

Cadets NCOs and cadets, when addressing a warrant officer are to address him/her as "Sir/Maˇ¦am", the same courtesy is applied to officers. When addressing a NCO cadets are to address him/her by full rank title i.e. Flight Sergeant, Sergeant, Corporal, not "Chief", "Serge" or "Corp". Cadets when reporting to or being addressed by NCOs senior in rank are to stand to attention.

When headdress is not worn or when a cadet is carrying anything other than his arms preventing him from saluting, he is to stand to attention when an officer passes. If a cadet is walking, he is to turn his head smartly towards the officer when passing him.

All cadets will salute to all officers (Pilot Officer or above) regardless of grade. In addition, all HKACC members will salute to entitled officers of the Hong Kong Government Disciplined Services, the Peopleˇ¦s Liberation Army, the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong Adventure Corps and officers of friendly foreign countries in accordance with circumstances as dictated by customs and courtesies.

When a cadet sees an officer approaching, he will stand at attention, face the officer and salute when the officer is about three paces away. They will be brought down after the salute has been returned or about five paces after the officer has passed.

Members not in uniform do not salute but will render an appropriate greeting instead. However, when a member in uniform recognises an officer in civilian clothes he will salute to that officer.

6. During the playing of the National Anthem

When the National Anthem or a foreign anthem is played, all personnel in uniform, not under the orders of an officer commanding a parade will stand at attention, face the direction of the music and salute. If wearing civilian clothes they are to remove headdress.

If the anthem is played during a ceremonial parade, those officers on a parade in Review order, acting under the orders of the Officer Commanding the parade, will salute.

When the anthem is played within a building, individual officers and cadets wearing uniform are to stand to attention and remove headdress.

When a party of cadets is on the march and the anthem is played the commander of the party is to halt them and he is to salute.

When a party is halted, the commander of the party is to call them to attention, and he is to salute during the playing of the anthem.

On other occasions when there is no parade, or on occasions which are not of a service nature, officers will face the band and if in uniform wearing headdress, will salute.

7. During the Hoisting or Hauling Down of the HKACC Colour

On occasions when the HKACC Colour is being hoisted or hauled down, all ranks within view of the ensign or within hearing of the trumpet calls or whistle blasts, are to stand to attention and face the flagstaff. Officers will face the flagstaff and salute.

8. Funerals

Individual officers and cadets passing or being passed by a service or civil funeral will salute the coffin or urn containing the remains of the deceased. A commander in charge of a party will give the "eyes right (or left)" and salute.

9. Standards and Colours

Individual officers and cadets passing or being passed by troops with uncased colours or standards are to salute the colour or standard. They are to halt and face the colours etc. before saluting. Cased colours are not saluted. (Examples of colours/standards are: The HKACC Colour, Squadron Standards, Guildons or Colours of Army regiments. National Flags are NOT Colours)

Note: EXCEPTION - Units, parties of individuals paraded on a service funeral, whilst in attendance upon the deceased will not pay any compliments to any colour or standards forming parts of the escort included in the procession.

10. Boarding or leaving naval vessels

When boarding or leaving any of naval vessels, all ranks are to salute the quarter deck.

11. Mechanical Vehicles

The rider of a pedal cycle (or motor) or a mechanical vehicle, is not to salute when the vehicle is in motion. On no account must the hands be removed from the handle bars or steeling wheel. When the vehicle is stationary, the driver is to turn his head smartly towards the officer and the passenger will seat at attention.

Cadets are to salute the occupant of a vehicle flying a distinguishing flag and also, if no flag is being flown, when the vehicle carries star plates exposed, or when they recognise the occupant as being entitled to a salute.

Officers are to salute the occupant of a vehicle flying a distinguishing flag or carrying star plates exposed when these denote that the officer travelling in the vehicle is entitled to a salute as directed in paragraph 5.

12. Parties on the March

An officer or cadet in command of a party on the march is to pay compliments by giving the command EYES-RIGHT (or LEFT) at the same time saluting with his right hand. When a party passes an armed sentry, compliments are to be paid as stated above, but if the sentry is unarmed, no compliments are to be paid.

13. On Parade

Officers, when ordered to "fall in" at the forming up of a parade, are to salute before falling in. When order to "fall out" they are to march up to the parade commander, halt 5 paces from him, salute and fall out. If more than one officer is fallen out, all form up in a semi-circle, facing the parade commander, then taking the time from the senior officer on the right flank, then salute.

14. Compliments when in plain clothes

Officers when wearing plain clothes and returning a salute given by cadets or airmen, should return it in the proper manner by raising the hat.

15. Cenotaph

When passing the cenotaph in Central, it is courteous to salute the cenotaph as a tribute to the fallen heroes of the two world wars.