Okay, NCOs, I have a question regarding USAF protocol.
I will be inviting two National Guard Officers to an activity to give a speech to cadets and SMs (all ranks up to Col). One officer is a FW Commander (O-6). The other is an Army National Officer that is an MAJ, probably MAJ(P). She serves as the Deputy State Surgeon.
When you introduce the FW/CC, you would read a short biography and then state "Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the FW Commander, Col So and So".
Now for the question, immediately right after his speech, the Deputy State Surgeon will talk. Assuming the FW/CC has left, after the introduction would I still ask everyone to rise for MAJ XYZ considering there will be CAP Lt Cols and Cols in attendance? What about if the FW/CC stays?
Granted, I understand that they are CAP Lt Cols and Col and that she is an Army O-4. Realistically, it would not hurt to have everyone stand out of respect. I am just curious from more of a theoretical point of view as I have yet to see a lower ranking officer give a talk in a formal setting (i.e. ACSC or AWC) to a room of higher ranking officers.
Generally speaking....you would not ask the audience to rise when introducing a speaker or speakers.
At the beginning of the event you would ask everyone to rise for arrival of the guests of honor or the head table or distinguished visitors.
That would take care of the protocol of honoring the rank of the "head table".
Just as you introduce the DVs in the audience you would not ask the room to stand and honor them....even if they out rank the DV's on the dais.
Quote from: lordmonar on February 23, 2015, 07:20:23 AM
Generally speaking....you would not ask the audience to rise when introducing a speaker or speakers.
At the beginning of the event you would ask everyone to rise for arrival of the guests of honor or the head table or distinguished visitors.
That would take care of the protocol of honoring the rank of the "head table".
Just as you introduce the DVs in the audience you would not ask the room to stand and honor them....even if they out rank the DV's on the dais.
I understand the DV party for functions like Dining-Outs. Perhaps I did not make this as clear as I should have, I am inquiring for events like Encampment and Leadership Schools (in this case, it is a leadership weekend). Therefore, there will not be any "head tables", nor will they always be present. They will arrive just prior to giving the talk and would leave just after giving the talk (they all live in the immediate area).
I know from my limited attendance at formal lectures given under the auspices of AETC and my higher attendance of formal schooling at AMEDD C&S, the room stands for formal lecturers (i.e. visiting commanders from other bases/posts) each time they enter to give the talk. Then again, we were all lower ranking officers compared to the lecturer.
Normally, you will have a cue "Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the arrival of the Official Party and the presentation of the colors."
In comes the Official Party, someone posts the colors (US Flag, State Flag, maybe Army/Air Force, and maybe CAP, in that order), National Anthem plays, colors depart, everyone hears "Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated".
Now, in this case, maybe introduce them both, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for our speakers, Colonel _____, XX Fighter Wing Commander, and Major _____, the Deputy State Surgeon." Everyone rises, Colonel will probably have everyone sit (room should really be called to attention for him anyway) and then they continue as normal. You call the room to attention for him as he leaves, and just flow onto Major ___'s speech.
Realistically, our customs and courtesies would have you all come to attention for the Colonel as he's a commander, and at least rise for the Major as a sign of respect (proper answer would be to go to attention here too, but as she's not a commander, it's a bit different.) We would rise out of respect for any officer below our Commander, unless they are Acting Commander.
EDIT: I am also Maintenance, we seem to make up and follow our own rules.
If each speaker is independent....not part of an official party. Then you would say "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for Major XX". After the major took the stage you then do the introduction and turn it over to them.
You would repeat the same scenario for the next speaker....irregardless of their rank...as you are standing to honor them speaking not due to their rank, and you would do this is the speaker was a lowly Airman Basic and you had the Chief of Staff in the audience/room.
I can agree. Most of our experience with these kind of things in MX occurs once a quarter. Sq/CC comes in, "Room, Ten-Hut", "Carry on!", we sit. And stay seated through every speaker. Sq/CC, MX Ops Officer, Sq Chief, First Shirt, random mental health person, civilian from Family Readiness, and if a commander of a higher level comes, up we go again. Depends on the forum, and how you want to push it. Every brief I can remember, though, has followed the above format. Saves time with all the jumping up and down.
Again, however, Maintenance. Different mission focus. Though some of these briefs I'm talking about were base wide, so just depends on audience and message, I guess.
Thanks guys. That is pretty much what I thought.
Quote from: TheTravelingAirman on February 24, 2015, 01:24:11 AM
I can agree. Most of our experience with these kind of things in MX occurs once a quarter. Sq/CC comes in, "Room, Ten-Hut", "Carry on!", we sit. And stay seated through every speaker. Sq/CC, MX Ops Officer, Sq Chief, First Shirt, random mental health person, civilian from Family Readiness, and if a commander of a higher level comes, up we go again. Depends on the forum, and how you want to push it. Every brief I can remember, though, has followed the above format. Saves time with all the jumping up and down.
Absolutely. I would not impose a standing for every speaker for a briefing or informal talk.
Quote from: lordmonar on February 24, 2015, 01:12:43 AM
If each speaker is independent....not part of an official party. Then you would say "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for Major XX". After the major took the stage you then do the introduction and turn it over to them.
You would repeat the same scenario for the next speaker....irregardless of their rank...as you are standing to honor them speaking not due to their rank, and you would do this is the speaker was a lowly Airman Basic and you had the Chief of Staff in the audience/room.
This doesn't seem quite right unless the Airman Basic is a Guest of Honor, not just a guest speaker or there is some other unusual order of precedence at play. If the Airman is an instructor and the audience consists of students you may have them stand as well.
Normally, unit activities with a guest speaker will have a commander, officer in charge, or senior person present and you would only stand for a commander or person of higher rank. The senior person present will be expected to ensure everyone gives the guest speaker the appropriate attention.
That is the context I am giving. At a school house environment the person in charge of the school would ask everyone to stand for the guest. Not call the room to attention. A suble but important distinction
Quote from: lordmonar on February 24, 2015, 09:15:04 PM
That is the context I am giving. At a school house environment the person in charge of the school would ask everyone to stand for the guest. Not call the room to attention. A suble but important distinction
*click* Same page achieved. I'll keep this in mind for when I run into this.
I have made it my habit that in militayr classroom settings, students stand and are brought to attention upon enter/exit/change of instructors. I dont know if there is a specific "protocol" for this usaf wise.
MK