UNITED STATES ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND
4/14/2020
Customs
6
A custom (FM 7-21.13, Ch. 4, page 4-2 para (s) 4-2 & 4-3)) is defined as an established practice.
Customs include positive actions -- things you do, and taboos -- things you avoid. All established
arts, trades, and professions, all races of people, all nations, and even different sections of the same
nation have their own practice and customs by which they govern a part of their lives. Many Army
customs compliment procedures required by military courtesy, while others add to the graciousness
of garrison life. The breech of some Army customs merely brands the offender as ignorant, careless,
or ill bred. Violations of other Army customs, however, will bring official censure or disciplinary
action. The customs of the Army are its common law. These are a few:
Never Criticize the Army or a leader in public.
Never go “over the heads” of superiors—don’t jump the chain of command.
Never offer excuses.
Never “wear” a superior’s rank by saying something like, “the First Sergeant wants this done
now, ” when in fact the First Sergeant said no such thing. Speak with your own voice.
Never turn and walk away to avoid giving a hand salute.
Never run indoors or pretend you don’t hear (while driving, for example) the bugle call for reveille
or retreat. Even while driving.
Never appear in uniform while under the influence of alcohol.
If you don’t know the answer to a superior’s question, you will never go wrong with the response,
“I don’t know Sir or Drill Sergeant, but I’ll find out.”