26.1 Honored Traditions (AFH-1 Section 24A)
Key Takeaways
- AFH 1 traces customs and courtesies from a need for order and discipline to an environment of respect and fraternity among military personnel (ADTC B for SSgt and TSgt).
- When the national anthem or To the Colors is played outdoors, Airmen in uniform salute from the first note to the last; indoors without headgear they stand at attention and do not salute.
- The Pledge of Allegiance is not traditionally recited at military events; uniformed members remain silent, salute only outdoors, and do not salute indoors.
- The Air Force Symbol became official on 5 May 2004: six wing sections are distinctive capabilities, five star points are the force components, and three diamonds are the core values.
- Robert Crawford’s song won among more than 700 entries; the U.S. Army band first recorded The U.S. Air Force in 1939, and Airmen stand at attention but may sing.
ADTC and why 24A is on both tests
The 15 February 2025 ADTC rates Section 24A at B (Understanding) for SSgt and TSgt. Chapter 23 dress and appearance is not a 2026 PFE source.
Origins of the customs (24.1)
AFH 1’s origin sentence is the one items quote:
Military customs and courtesies are proven traditions, deep-rooted in culture that reflect pride in military service to our nation.
Expectations for respect evolved from the need for order and discipline into an environment of respect and a sense of fraternity. The chapter highlights customs that build morale, esprit de corps, discipline, and mission effectiveness. AFI 1-1: customs and courtesies reflect the unique nature of our profession and guide significant aspects of our behavior. They emphasize a strong bond with other military members and mutual respect for one another and for civilian leadership.
Protocol (24.2)
Protocol is an internationally recognized system of courtesy and respect for official life and ceremonies involving governments, nations, and their representatives. For the military it is a code of traditional precedence, courtesy, and etiquette in military, diplomatic, official, and celebratory ceremonies. Modern practice combines traditional codes of conduct with contemporary etiquette. AFH 1 points to DAFI 90-1202, Protocol, as the working reference.
Base Honor Guard (24.3)
Base Honor Guard is a mandatory USAF program under installation commanders. It emphasizes customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies as program pillars—not Chapter 23 wear rules.
The first base honor guard was activated in the 1100th Air Police Squadron, Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., for 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 of the U.S. Air Force. Members are usually volunteers from host and tenant units, generally Airman Basic to Technical Sergeant.
Keep the mission and the statute separate. January 2000 public law requires that all veterans receive, at a minimum, folding of a United States flag, presentation of the flag to the veteran’s family, and the playing of Taps.
Anthem, To the Colors, and the Pledge (24.5–24.6)
The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem (Attachment 9 has all four verses). When To the Colors is played, the same respects are shown as for the anthem.
| Situation | Courtesy |
|---|---|
| Outdoors, in uniform (anthem or To the Colors) | Military salute at the first note, held until the last note |
| Outdoors, civilian attire | Stand at attention facing the flag, right hand over the heart; remove headgear with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, hand over the heart |
| Vehicle on a USAF installation | If consistent with safety and mission, pull to the side and stop; occupants sit quietly until the last note |
| Indoors, uniform, in formation, with appropriate headgear | Render the military salute |
| Indoors, uniform, without headgear | Stand at attention; do not salute |
| Indoors, civilians | Remove headgear; stand at attention with the right hand over the heart |
| Flag not displayed | Face the music and act as if the flag were present |
Friendly foreign anthems receive the same respect. They are typically played before the host nation’s anthem, but no law mandates the order.
The Pledge of Allegiance is not traditionally recited at military events. Outdoors in uniform: stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and salute. Outdoors in civilian attire: remove non-religious headgear with the right hand, hold it at the left shoulder, hand over the heart. Indoors in uniform: stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, do not salute (reciting is optional at primarily civilian indoor events). Indoors in civilian attire: stand at attention, face the flag, right hand over the heart, and recite the pledge. Anthem indoors turns on headgear in formation. Pledge in uniform is silent, salute only outdoors.
DAF Seal and Air Force Symbol (24.7–24.8)
The DAF Seal uses ultramarine blue (circular background) and Air Force yellow (trim). The 13 white stars represent the original 13 colonies. Fraudulent making, forging, counterfeiting, mutilating, altering, or knowing use or possession of the Seal is punishable by law (AFMAN 33-326, Attachment 2).
The Air Force Symbol was designated official on 5 May 2004. It retains bent-up “Arnold” wings and a star with the circle, forming an eagle (nation) and a medal (valor).
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stylized wings | Enlisted “stripes of our strength”; angularity for swiftness and power. Six sections = distinctive capabilities: air and space superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, information superiority, agile combat support |
| Sphere | Globe; global vigilance, reach, and power |
| Star (five points) | RegAF, civilians, Guard, Reserve, and retirees; also space as the high ground and the officer corps |
| Three diamonds | Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do |
The Symbol is a registered trademark (DoDI 5535.12 / DAFI 35-114, 3 February 2021).
The Air Force Song (24.9)
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 first recorded it in 1939 as The U.S. Air Force. DAFI 90-1202: Airmen stand at attention but may sing. At official events, the official party may depart after the first verse. Attachment 8 has all four verses.
The 15 February 2025 handbook removed the November 2024 sentences about 2020 lyric updates—those lines are not 2026 PFE material.
According to DAFI 90-1202 as stated in AFH 1, what do Airmen do when the Air Force song is played?
In the Air Force Symbol, what do the six sections of the stylized wings and the three diamonds represent?
What minimum funeral honors did the January 2000 public law provide for all veterans?