Marine Corp Protocol

[Major Lord]

At a social function (uniformed wedding reception)  the band plays the Marine Corp Hymn ( the groom is jarheaded) The Marines ( May they live forever in the halls of Valhalla) stand. Do civilians and or other members of the uniformed services stand, or remain seated? If you stand, you could be taken for a Marine Poseur , if you sit it could be seen as disrespectful. Is there protocol for this?

Major Lord

[lordmonar]

It is not disrespectful to no follow protocol if you have have not been taught the protocol.

You are not a Wannabe-Posser if you stood up to show some respect.

[stillamarine]

+1

Marines are required by protocol to stand for both the Marine Hymn and Anchors Away.

I have been out of the Corps for 6 years and I still do it.

And no, any realreal Marine would not care either way what you did and would probably appreciate people standing out of respect.

[Flying Pig]

 Nobody is going to think twice about you standing to show respect.  I was at a HS football game where they played the Marine Corps Hymn during the half time show, so I stood and everyone around me was asking why I was standing.  I saw a couple other guys standing also and we all gave each other the nod.

The other members of the uniformed services are not required to stand.  I honestly dont stand for other services songs.

[Stonewall]

The members of each branch are required to stand for their branch's song.

It was like that in the Army and is like that in the AF.   

[lordmonar]

And "required" is a little strong.

It is "tradition" in the USAF to stand for the USAF song.

[Stonewall]

YMMV...

8.4. Courtesies to the Air Force Song.

8.4.1. When the Air Force Song is played, it is customary to stand, clap and join in singing as direct by the nature of the ceremony. Do not salute. The Official Party may move after the playing of the first verse of the Air Force song. Proper respect and courtesy is always to be rendered to sister service songs by coming to the proper form of attention.

In the Army (when I was in the Old Guard) we stood at attention, of course, for the Army Song.  It was taught to us in basic training that you always stand at attention for the Army Song, even in civilian attire.  We were not required to stand for other service songs, but it was certainly appropriate to do so if you so chose.

[Flying Pig]

As a Marine (active at least) you are required to stand at attention.  I know a Marine who refused to stand during the playing of the Marine Corps Hymn at Camp Lejuene and he received 2 wks restriction to the barracks.

[RiverAux]

What about when someone plays the CAP song? 

[Ed Bos]

http://www.ner.cap.gov/music/capongoi.mp3

You should be standing at attention in front of your computer about now...

[Flying Pig]

By the way...its Corps

[Stonewall]

http://www.ner.cap.gov/music/capongoi.mp3

You should be standing at attention in front of your computer about now...

Funny story.  I was in Afghanistan and my iPod got screwed up when I tried to hook it up to some speakers.  Some technical issue that I can't explain.  It would ONLY play the CAP song through the speakers and everything was frozen, so it kept playing the CAP song.

I don't even know how I downloaded it.

[♠SARKID♠]

http://www.ner.cap.gov/music/capongoi.mp3

You should be standing at attention in front of your computer about now...

I suppose its as good a time as any to bring this back...

http://download1353.mediafire.com/ouvatw8i4tbg/u2ue2zs55wdqunu/CAP+on+Go.swf

[flyboy53]

The proper protocol is for the senior Marine present to instruct the civilians in attendance to stand in order for them to join in, and feel a part of the ceremony.

It wouldn't hurt if the same Marine gave the people in the audience a little bit of instruction about what was about to happen and why.... to get a taste of military life, experience and customs, and the devotion to duty.

It's all about the military family and everyone in attendance is part of that now.

Public Affiars people are taught to respect the customs, traditions and courtesies of another service....at least that was the way it was done during ceremonies at joint-service schools like DINFOS.

[ol'fido]

There is a scene in the movie "A Rumor of War" where at a Marine Ball someone starts singing "Dixie" and a bunch of people join in. Then somebody starts singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and others join in and it turns into a contest between the two groups. Then a senior officer who has had enough of it starts singing "From the Halls of Montezuma...." and gradually everyone starts singing the "Marine Corps Hymn". When I see the movie on cable anymore that scene is usually cut and you just see the very end of it. But it's a very good scene.

[twofivexray]

Was that before or after Casablanca?

[ol'fido]

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say "HUH"?   

[SarDragon]

Was that before or after Casablanca?

Likely after.

For the clueless, there's a scene at Rick's where the Germans start singing their patriotic song, and are quickly drowned out by the rest of the crowd singing 'The Marseillaise'.