Manual of Etiquette: V - Military Etiquette
From FiranMUX
The general etiquette of the Republic Military has evolved from the needs of the armed services for immediate readiness, obedience and simplicity, while maintaining due respect and courtesy for every soldier from the lowliest sentry to the greatest generals of our time. Without mutual respect between our forces, the lowering of morale should be sufficient to turn the tide of battle against us, this very lack of respect leading to lack of faith in our fellow troops and ultimate failure to fight.
Should an officer give an order to a soldier, it is that soldier's duty to carry out the order to the best of their ability. If an order is unclear, it is permissible to request clarification, but should one simply disagree with the order, a soldier has no place in refusing it. Indeed, at war, such actions may be punished by summary execution, which can only emphasise the importance of obedience in an effective military!
If one has questions about any order, it is acceptable to make queries privately once the order has been carried out, but such queries should not be made in front of others, neither should the officer necessarily explain their reasons if to do so should not be beneficial to the unit and military as a whole. However, under usual circumstances it can only benefit the army for those junior soldiers to understand and learn the reasons for their superiors' orders, so that if faced with similar conditions they might carry out similar instructions on their own initiative.
It is clear to understand that troops must respect their officers, obey their orders immediately and place their faith in the leadership of their squad, unit and army commanders, but it is equally important to note that an officer must respect the soldiers under their command if they wish to maintain an efficient fighting unit. A soldier who feels neglected shall not fight as eagerly as one who is made to believe by his officers that he is a vital link in his squad, and should be soon to give up and retreat from the field of battle.
Perhaps the most obvious outward mark of respect between soldiers is that of the hand salute. When two soldiers meet, the junior of the two offers a salute by clenching the right fist over the heart, a symbol of strength and loyalty. The senior soldier then returns the salute in kind, offering his own strength and loyalty in return. Should a soldier be carrying a sword or weapon of similar or smaller size in his sword hand, the weapon is brought up before the face in salute, then brought forward in an arc until the tip points close to the ground, leaving oneself open and defenceless to an attack by the other in a display of trust. In a similar vein, one bearing a spear or stave should bring the left hand across to meet the weapon with the palm flat, again to show that the weapon should not be used and demonstrate trust in their fellow soldier.
A verbal greeting usually follows the salute, a junior soldier calling his superior by either 'Sir' for gentlemen or 'Ma'am' for ladies, and the senior soldier referring to the junior by rank. To refer to a soldier by name alone is in most cases considered to be most improper, belittling as it does both the rank the soldier has achieved and the service they offer to the Republic.
Soldiers engaged in their duties are not expected to neglect them in order to offer appropriate military courtesies to their superiors, neither is it usual to offer salutes in informal circumstances, such as at an inn, during a sporting event, or when a soldier is occupied with tasks not of a military nature.
Should more than one soldier enter who is senior in rank to oneself, one should offer a salute towards the whole group of officers, which is then returned by the most senior officer only. Should an officer enter a room in which there are several soldiers not engaged in their duties, the senior of those present should call the rest to stand to attention, then only he should offer and have his salute returned in the interest of simplicity. If an officer enters a room in which there is already a senior ranking officer, those of junior rank need not also salute his entry. Salutes are offered in a temple only to the deceased and towards the altar, and therefore never returned, there being no higher ranking individual than the god whose temple it is.
While deployed to a fighting front or any area in which the enemy might gain advantage by learning which individuals are in command of our army, salutes are not to be offered or returned, neither does one refer to an individual by rank. To do either would be to demonstrate to the enemy which soldiers are tactically more important to neutralise, and at war carries harsh penalties.
Should one have the honour to serve the Republic, bear in mind simply that mutual respect even without demonstrative outward display always has a place in our military, and forms the very backbone of our courageous and victorious fighting forces.
