Below you will find some information on basic Military Etiquette.

When To Stand

• Posting of the colors/retiring of the colors
• National Anthem - "Star Spangled Banner"
• Invocation
• Flags passing in review (six steps before and six steps after you)
• Army service song "The Caissons Go Rolling Along"
• Retreat
• Reveille
• When a senior officer walks into the room at an official gathering and is announced (for example - promotion and award ceremonies, etc.) All present should rise to include military members, family members and civilians.  This is done out of courtesy to the officer's rank and position.
• When the announcement "attention to orders" is made at informational ceremonies, military members must stand and civilians stand out of courtesy
• At a dining-out, stand when a toast is being made if the toastmaster stands and if the toast is not being made to you personally or "to the ladies"
• When introduced by someone speaking from a podium
• Out of courtesy you should stand when someone older or more senior comes over to talk to you.

When To Place Hand Over Heart

• When outdoors and the Star Spangled Banner is played.  This is the designated National Anthem of
  the United States of America."
• When the American Flag passes

Not necessary indoors, although not inappropriate

Reveille & Retreat

"Retreat" ("To The Colors") A bugle call played at 5 P.M. during the daily ceremony of lowering the flag to mark the official end of the workday.. At the first note of "Retreat" soldiers  stand at attention, and at the first note of "To The Colors" render a salute if in uniform, civilians place your hand over your heart

• Stand facing the flag or music.  Children should also stop playing and observe the custom of the ceremony
• On an Army installation you are obligated to stop your car, get out and observe the ceremony.  Everyone in the car gets out.

Invitations

• Initials and abbreviations should be avoided.  Exceptions: Mr., Mrs., Dr., R.S.V.P., or Captain M. Brown (If an initial is used in the place of a first or middle name.
• Titles, Ranks, and names are written in full.  Example:  Major General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain, First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Warrant Officer, Sergeant Major, Etc.
• On envelopes, guest is addressed by rank, first and last name.
• Dates and hours are spelled out on formal invitations with only the day and month capitalized.  The year is not required.
  Example:  Friday, the first of June "six-thirty" is correct. ("half after or half past six o'clock" is more formal.)

If your invitation reads, "R.S.V.P."-  Repondez s’il vous plait is a French term meaning "please reply".

• Placed in left-hand corner of invitation.
• Indicates that a reply is mandatory; this is also thoughtful to allow the hostess to know how many guests to plan for.
• Answer with "yes" or "no".  If it is a "no", a brief explanation is acceptable, but not necessary.
• Respond within 48 hours of receiving invitation and always by NLT (no later than) date on the invitation.
• Call or write the R.S.V.P,.  Never respond in person.
  Written:  Lieutenant and Mrs. Lisa Smith accept the invitation of Colonel and Mrs. Brown

If your invitation reads, "Regrets Only"

• Only those who cannot attend need reply.
• More challenging for the hostess.  Hostess will eliminate "regrets" from guest list in order to prepare.
• Appropriate to "regret" at last minute in cases of emergency.
• Placed in left hand bottom corner with name and phone number
• Formal invitations may or may not include an R.S.V.P, or "Regrets Only" on the invitation.  You are expected to attend! 

Hostess Gifts

• A hostess gift can take the place of a "Thank You" but include that in your card.  It is always nice to follow up with a "Thank You" note later.
• A wine gift may be used for a dinner, but don't feel slighted if it isn't used.  The beverage for the meal may have already been planned.  Flowers are also an option.

Attire

• Very Casual - Dress shorts or jeans acceptable
• Casual - No tie, dress slacks; Skirts or slacks for women
• Informal - Coat and tie, sports coat before 6 P.M., suit after.  Dress or suit for women
• Semi-formal - Not really a category, but indicates business attire
• Formal - Soldiers wear evening dress uniform, dress mess.  Civilians wear dinner jackets, long dress or fancy short dress

Tips for choosing a Formal Dress:

1.   Select a dress that is knee to floor length
2.   Choose your dress in a color that complements your escort's attire
3.   Pick a dress style that is comfortable for walking, sitting and dancing
4.   Wear formal shoes that you can walk and dance in

Dinner Party Tips

• Seating Arrangement - At a large dinner, a table diagram, showing the seating arrangement is usually placed near the entrance to the dining room.  Seating is usually arranged to stimulate conversation.
• Escort Cards are another option for smaller dinner parties.  The name of the male guest is written on the envelope with his dinner partner's name written on a card placed inside the envelope.  Usually, these are placed on a table close to the entrance way so they can be picked up upon arrival.
• Seating - The gentleman assists his partner by sliding her chair away from the table, allowing her to enter her seat from the left.  When departing, rise from the right.  He then adjusts the chair to her satisfaction.  Gentlemen do not sit until all the ladies and senior male guests are seated.
• Eating - At small dinners, before eating, it is polite to wait until the hostess has begun eating.  At large banquets or buffets, it is appropriate to start eating when those around you have been served.  If you are in doubt about what to do take your cue from the hostess.  Guests should engage their dinner partners and other close guests in light conversation during the meal.

Receiving Line

• no food, drink or cigarettes in line
• stand together in line
• wife before husband, except at White House functions
• Husband gives names to adjutant (a.k.a. Protocol Officer, first person in line).
• You may repeat your name to the honored guest(s) in case it was passed down incorrectly.
• If you are late, make a point to speak to the hosts and guests of honor.

Introductions

1. Woman's name first.  Men are introduced to women by stating the woman's name first.
2. Older Person's name first.  When two people are of the same sex, the younger adult is introduced to the older adult by stating the older person's name first
3. Senior officer's name first.  Junior officers are introduced to senior officers by stating the senior officer's name first.  The same for senior officer's spouse.

It is gracious, rather than presumptuous, to introduce yourself to a senior officer or senior officer's spouse.

Toasting

• Stand up and participate in the toasting.  It is respectful to do so.  Those who choose to abstain from alcohol may drink water or raise the wine glass to their lips.
• Never drink a toast to yourself.  If seated, remain seated.  All toasting is initiated by the host except dining-ins.

Departing

• Considered polite to wait until the senior person or guest of honor leaves.
• There are exceptions to the rule.

Thank You Notes

• Within 2-3 days after the party, it is thoughtful to send a note of thanks or to phone your hostess to express your appreciation.
• Do not send a "Thank You" for a "Thank You"
• The "Thank You" note should be appropriately addressed to the hostess.  EX:  Dear Mrs. Brown/Anne

Avoid Etiquette Faux Pas

• Mention all the important people you know (a.k.a. name drop)
• Refer to husband by rank
• Say "We are Lieutenants" (unless you are one)
• Refer to your husband’s orders as “our orders” unless you are a service member yourself.
• Show public displays of affection, except at homecomings and goodbyes.  This includes kissing and holding hands.