COMMENTARY: Customs and courtesies ... it's who we are! Published April 25, 2013 By Chief Master Sgt. Leslie Bramlett 15th Wing Command Chief Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HAWAII -- According to the Professional Development Guide, "Military customs and courtesies are proven traditions that explain what should and should not be done in many situations. They are acts of respect and courtesy when dealing with other people, and have evolved as a result of the need for order, mutual respect, and sense of fraternity among military personnel. Military customs and courtesies go beyond basic politeness. They play an extremely important role in building morale, esprit de corps, discipline, and mission effectiveness. Customs and courtesies ensure proper respect for the military members and build the foundation for self-discipline." It is impossible for our military services to be successful based upon technology alone. Undergirding our technical expertise is professionalism, and the corner stone of that professionalism is customs and courtesies. A SNCO once corrected a junior enlisted member for a courtesy lapse at the customer service desk while visiting a laboratory in Ohio. Guess who later had to draw that SNCOs blood? Yes, that same junior enlisted member. Would the junior member do the right thing when drawing and processing the specimen sample or "miss" on purpose? The junior enlisted member delivered textbook service to the SNCO. Why? It was because of his professionalism! Remember, before the junior enlisted could earn his career-field badge, he had to earn the title, "Airman!" Just like that old TV slogan, "... the quality goes in, before the name goes on." In other words, professionalism was his foundation; he simply had a lapse in customs and courtesies. Recently it's been noted that members fail to salute staff cars, pause for TAPs, reveille and retreat, or render proper customs and courtesies. While it's easy to rationalize the behavior away, we must embrace our customs and courtesies. They remind us "who we are," and easily translate from the shore to the airfield, the cruiser to the battlefield. In peacetime and war, we are required to maintain professionalism, etiquette, situational awareness, respect for authority and faith with our country and comrades. Practicing these precepts is impossible if we have a "self before service" mentality instead of "service before self." I'm proud to be an Airman, wear this uniform and stand next to Sailors, Soldiers and Marines as we project peace and power in the Pacific. Together, let's stand on the foundation of professionalism when it comes to rendering customs and courtesies ... it's who we are!