The Common Courtesy By Spc. Richard W. Kelly Military customs and courtesies, what are they? That question was recently raised and will now be addressed. I believe it is something that shows the difference between a soldier and civilian. Is it just something instilled in a soldier when he goes to basic training or is it the building blocks to a successful army career? Why does a soldier address an officer or NCO by his rank? And why do soldiers look to NCO’s for leadership and guidance. The first question to be addressed is that of is military customs just something instilled in a soldier or is it something more? Yes it is instilled in basic training but watching a soldier one will find an admiration for the striking figure of the soldier. The building blocks are indeed the customs and courtesy’s instilled and they help to form the fledgling soldier to be able to attain the ranks of the NCO corps or into an officer. Why does a soldier address a NCO by his rank? A soldier is brought up gradually and by his merits he may become an officer or NCO. Earning this privilege grants him a title. Either sergeant or sir depending on which rank the soldier attains. Because the soldier has attained this, the NCO should be regarded with the rank in which they attain. It is the respect between soldiers that allows an NCO to lead effectively. Why do soldiers look to NCO’s for leadership and guidance? Because an NCO has treaded where soldiers have the NCOknows the fears and motivations (or lack thereof) and so they may find a way to motivate a soldier through the difficult times. As a direct cause of this the NCO corps has a background to pull on to be able to find a way to relate directly to the soldier showing that the soldier is not the only one going through that situation. The leadership of an NCO is taught to him and though his peers so he has the background of others also, so with each NCO it provides a different leadership style which allows for easier melding of...