Study guide
20.3 Respect for Individuals
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
20.3 Respect for Individuals
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The senior person takes the position of honor on the right when walking, riding, or sitting; the junior person takes the position to the senior's left.
Military personnel enter automobiles and small boats in reverse order of rank — juniors enter first, and the senior officer enters last and exits first.
Salutes are not rendered indoors except for formal reporting; when reporting, halt approximately two paces from the officer or desk.
In formation, members do not salute unless commanded; the person in charge salutes and acknowledges salutes for the formation.
When outdoors in physical training gear, Airmen are required to salute during reveille and retreat, though rank-recognition salutes are not required in PT gear.
Last updated: August 2026
Common Courtesy
"Respect, consideration, manners, common sense, and politeness are all ways of demonstrating common acts of courtesy." AFH 1's examples are deliberately ordinary: saying "please" and "thank you" and respecting other people's time ; in the workplace, being helpful, taking and delivering messages, and offering assistance. "All USAF personnel should demonstrate common acts of courtesy while on- and off-duty."
Distinguished Visitors
A distinguished visitor (DV) may be defined as any:
- General or Flag Officer
- Government official with rank equivalent to a Brigadier General or higher
Foreign military officer or civilian designated a DV by the Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs
Visitor or group designated by the commander
"Persons in certain positions may be given DV status as designated by the commander," and "a DV visit is an important event and should be given close attention to detail." References: DAFI 90-1202 and AFPAM 34-1202, Guide to Protocol .
Positions of Honor
"Junior personnel shall employ a courteous and respectful bearing toward senior personnel. Give the senior person, enlisted, or commissioned, the position of honor on the right when walking, riding, or sitting. The junior person takes the position to the senior's left."
Senior on the right, junior on the left — walking, riding, or sitting.
Situation Rule
Entering or exiting an area Rise and stand at attention when a senior official enters or departs a room. If more than one person is present, the person who first sees the officer calls the area to attention . Exception: when an officer already in the room is equal to or higher in rank than the officer entering, do not call the room to attention
Entering or exiting vehicles Military personnel enter automobiles and small boats in reverse order of rank. Juniors enter first and take their appropriate seat on the senior's left. The senior officer is the last to enter the vehicle and the first to exit
The vehicle rule — last in, first out for the senior — is a reliable item , as is the exception to calling the room to attention when an equal or higher-ranking officer is already present.
Ranks, Titles, and Terms of Address
"While all USAF personnel are Airmen, it is appropriate to address officers by their grade, such as Lieutenant Colonel, and enlisted members by their grade, such as Master Sergeant." It is also acceptable to address enlisted members relative to their tier — Airman, Sergeant, Senior, Chief, as appropriate — and members may also be addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am." Chaplains may be addressed as Chaplain or by their ecclesiastical title.
Group How addressed
Civilians and civil service employees "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Miss," or "Ms.," and their last name ; "Sir" or "Ma'am" is appropriate
Retirees Entitled to the same respect and courtesies as active military members ; addressed by their retired grade on all official records and correspondence , except in matters relating to civilian employment
Other uniformed forces and friendly foreign nations Extend military courtesies ; pay the same respect to the national anthems and flags of other nations as to those of the United States. Learn the ranks, grades, and insignia of the most frequently contacted nations , particularly overseas
Rendering the Salute
"Saluting is a courtesy exchanged between members of the U.S. Armed Forces as both a greeting and a symbol of mutual respect," and "an expression of recognition for one another as members of the profession of arms."
Salutes are appropriate to: the U.S. President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Service Secretaries, all superior commissioned and warrant officers, all Medal of Honor recipients, and superior officers of friendly foreign nations. A salute is also rendered as a sign of respect to the United States flag and during official ceremonies.
Medal of Honor recipients appear on that list regardless of rank — a fact that connects back to Chapter 8's note that members are encouraged to salute Medal of Honor recipients whether or not in uniform and regardless of rank or status.
Salutes are exchanged between officers (commissioned and warrant) and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces, and also with the Uniformed Services of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Public Health Service.
The core protocol: "When a salute is exchanged among individuals, the junior member always salutes the senior member first. The junior member should initiate the salute in time to allow the senior officer to return it." AFH 1 declines to fix a distance: "To prescribe an exact distance for all circumstances is not practical; however, good judgment should dictate when salutes are exchanged."
The Situations Table
- Situation Rule
- Indoors Salutes are not rendered indoors, except for formal reporting
Formal reporting indoors Knock once, enter when told, march to approximately two paces from the officer or desk, halt, salute, and report: "Sir (Ma'am), (rank and last name) reports as ordered" or "...reports." When finished, execute a sharp salute, hold it until the officer acknowledges, perform the appropriate facing movement, and depart
Outdoors The salute will be exchanged — outside a building, on a porch, a covered sidewalk, an entryway, a reviewing stand, or at a bus stop . This applies both on and off military installations
Carrying items Individuals carrying articles in both hands that cannot be transferred to the left hand need not initiate or return the salute when impractical , but should nod or offer a verbal greeting
In formation Members do not salute or return a salute unless given the command to do so. The person in charge salutes and acknowledges salutes for those in the formation
In a work detail Individual workers do not salute. The person in charge of the detail salutes for those in the detail
In groups The first individual noticing the officer calls the group to attention. All members face the officer and salute . If the officer addresses them, all remain at attention until the end of the conversation , at which time they salute
Public gatherings At sporting events, meetings, or when a salute would be inappropriate or impractical , salutes between individuals are not required
In vehicles Exchange of salutes between members in moving military vehicles is not mandatory. For pedestrians, when officer passengers are readily identifiable — officers in appropriately marked staff vehicles, or senior officials distinguished by vehicle plates and/or flags — the salute must be rendered
Civilian attire Persons in uniform may salute civilians or senior military members in civilian clothes upon recognition
"No salute" areas Saluting is not required
Physical training gear Saluting individuals due to rank recognition is not required in PT gear, but may be expected during specified academic training environments. When outdoors in PT gear, Airmen are required to salute during reveille and retreat
Military funerals and memorials In uniform, salute the caisson or hearse as it passes and the casket as it is carried past. Also salute during the firing of volleys and the playing of Taps
Three Exceptions Worth Isolating
1. The PT gear rule has two halves. No rank-recognition salute is required in PT gear — but reveille and retreat still require a salute when outdoors. Items often present only the first half.
2. The vehicle rule cuts both ways. Members inside moving military vehicles are not required to exchange salutes, but a pedestrian must salute when officer passengers are readily identifiable by markings, plates, or flags.
3. Taps at funerals versus Taps at lights out. AFH 1 attaches a specific note: "Many installations across the USAF play Taps to signify 'lights out' at the end of the day. For these purposes, the salute is not required." The salute during Taps applies at military funerals and memorials , not to the nightly bugle call.
One more distinction worth carrying: indoors, the only salute is the formal report — and that report has a fixed geometry, approximately two paces from the officer or desk.