20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Outdoors during the national anthem, Airmen in uniform render the military salute at the first note and hold it until the last note of music has played.

Indoors in uniform without headgear, military members stand at attention without saluting; indoors in uniform with appropriate headgear and in formation, they salute.

The Pledge of Allegiance is not traditionally recited at military events; outdoors in uniform members stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and salute — indoors they do not salute.

The Air Force Symbol was designated the official symbol on 5 May 2004; the six sections of the stylized wings represent the Air Force's distinctive capabilities and the three diamonds represent the core values.

The DAF Seal's 13 white stars represent the original 13 colonies and the yellow numerals under the shield stand for 1947, the year the Department of the Air Force was established.

Last updated: August 2026

Why Customs and Courtesies Matter

"Military customs and courtesies are proven traditions, deep-rooted in culture that reflect pride in military service to our nation." They evolved "from the need for order and discipline, to generating an environment of respect and sense of fraternity," and they play an important role in building morale, esprit de corps, discipline, and mission effectiveness.

Per AFI 1-1 , "our customs and courtesies reflect the unique nature of our profession and guide significant aspects of our behavior," emphasizing "our strong bond with other military members as well as our mutual respect for one another and our civilian leadership."

Protocol is "an internationally recognized system of courtesy and respect involving a set of rules for behavior in official life and in ceremonies." For the military it is "a code of traditional precedence, courtesy, and etiquette in matters of military, diplomatic, official, and celebratory ceremonies." The detailed reference is DAFI 90-1202, Protocol .

The Base Honor Guard

"Base Honor Guard is a mandatory USAF program, under the responsibility of installation commanders," emphasizing customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies.

Historical fact: "The first base honor guard was activated within the 1100th Air Police Squadron, Bolling Field, Washington D.C.," responsible for maintaining a ceremonial capability in the National Capital Region.

Today's primary mission is "to employ, equip, and train USAF members to provide professional military funeral honors for active service members, retired members, and veterans." Members are usually volunteers from host and tenant units , with selections generally coming from Airman Basic to Technical Sergeant.

The 2000 public law: "In January of 2000, public law was implemented, providing for all veterans to receive, at a minimum, a funeral ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag, presentation of the flag to the veteran's family, and the playing of Taps." Those three minimum elements are a reliable item.

The National Anthem

The Star-Spangled Banner is played at official and unofficial ceremonies, and "when the bugle call, To the Colors, is played, the same respects are shown as rendered to the national anthem."

Situation What to do

Outdoors, in uniform Render the military salute at the first note and retain the position until the last note of music has played

Outdoors, in civilian attire Stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Members not in uniform remove headgear with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart

In a vehicle on a USAF installation Vehicles in motion will pull to the side of the road and stop (if consistent with safety and mission requirements); individuals should sit quietly until the last note of music has played

Indoors, in uniform, in formation, with appropriate headgear Render the military salute

Indoors, in uniform, without headgear Stand and remain at the position of attention without rendering the military salute

• Indoors, civilians Remove any headgear and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart
• Flag not displayed Face toward the music and act in the same manner as if the flag were displayed

The indoors headgear rule is the single most tested distinction in Section 24A: with appropriate headgear in formation, you salute; without headgear, you stand at attention and do not salute.

Foreign anthems: "The same respect is shown to foreign national anthems as is shown to The Star-Spangled Banner." Typically, foreign anthems are played before the host nation's anthem , but "there is no regulation or law mandating when or in what order national anthems are played."

The Pledge of Allegiance

"The Pledge of Allegiance is not traditionally recited at military events." That opening statement is itself testable.

• Situation What to do
• Outdoors, in uniform Stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and salute

Outdoors, in civilian attire Remove any non-religious headgear with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, with the hand over the heart

Indoors, in uniform Stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag — but do not salute. At indoor events where participants are primarily civilians or in civilian attire, reciting the Pledge is optional for those in uniform

Indoors, in civilian attire Stand at attention, face the flag, place the right hand over the heart, and recite the pledge

The pattern to hold: for the Pledge , uniformed members remain silent and salute only outdoors . For the anthem , the salute rule turns on headgear indoors rather than on indoor/outdoor alone. Mixing the two sets of rules is the most common error.

• The DAF Seal
• "The official Air Force colors of ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are reflected in the DAF Seal."

• Element Meaning
• 13 white stars The original 13 colonies
• Air Force yellow numerals under the shield 1947 — the year the DAF was established

Encircling band White, edged in Air Force yellow, with black lettering reading "Department of the Air Force" on top and "United States of America" on the bottom

The Coat of Arms consists of the crest and shield .

Crest: the eagle, wreath, and cloud form. The American bald eagle symbolizes United States airpower and appears in natural colors. The wreath is six alternate folds of metal in white (representing silver) and light blue . The white clouds behind the eagle denote the start of a new sky

Shield: divided horizontally by a nebular line representing clouds . The top bears an Air Force yellow thunderbolt with flames showing striking power through the use of aerospace — a vertical twist with three natural color flames on each end crossing a pair of horizontal wings with eight lightning bolts . The light blue background represents the sky ; the white lower part represents metal silver

Protection: "Falsely making, forging, counterfeiting, mutilating, altering, or knowingly using or possessing the Seal with fraudulent intent, is punishable by law." Authorized uses are in AFMAN 33-326, Attachment 2 .

The Air Force Symbol

"The Air Force Symbol was designated the official symbol of the USAF on 5 May 2004." It "honors the heritage of our past and represents the promise of our future," retaining the bent-up rather than straight "Arnold" wings and a star with the circle from Air Corps heritage.

All elements form one symbol presenting two powerful images — an eagle, the emblem of our nation, and a medal, representing valor in service to our nation.

Element Meaning

Stylized wings (upper half) Represent the stripes of our strength — our enlisted men and women. Drawn with great angularity to emphasize swiftness and power. The six sections represent our distinctive capabilities — air and space superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, information superiority, and agile combat support

Sphere Represents the globe , reminding us of the obligation to secure freedom with global vigilance, reach, and power , and of the challenge as an expeditionary force to respond rapidly to crises

Star The five points represent the components of our one force and family — RegAF, civilians, Guard, Reserve, and retirees. Also symbolizes space as the high ground and represents our officer corps

Three diamonds Our core values — Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do

Three numbers, three meanings: six wing sections = distinctive capabilities; five star points = components of the force; three diamonds = core values. That triad answers most Symbol items.

The Symbol is a registered trademark and must be protected against unauthorized use or alterations. References: DoDI 5535.12 / DAFI 35-114, Air Force Branding and Trademark Licensing Program , 3 February 2021.

The Air Force Song

In the late 1930s , the Air Corps sought an official song. "After reviewing over 700 compositions, music instructor Robert Crawford's song was a unanimous winner." The U.S. Army band made the first recordings in 1939 , titled The U.S. Air Force .

Per DAFI 90-1202, when the Air Force song is played, Airmen will stand at attention, but are allowed to sing the lyrics. During official events, the official party may move to depart after the playing of the first verse.

Robert Crawford, 700+ compositions, 1939 — those three facts are the tested set, along with the stand at attention but may sing rule, which distinguishes the Air Force Song from the national anthem.