Customs and courtesies convey respect Published June 9, 2008 By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief TRAVIS AFB, Calif. -- Growing up as a young lad in the South, my mom and grandmother insisted upon two things: first, always be courteous and polite; second, it was customary to be respectful...especially toward my elders. As I reflect back on the values and beliefs those two influential women instilled upon me, I now realize they taught me the key to success. However, as a young lad learning that valuable lesson, life often appeared threatening, particularly if I didn't exhibit the proper respect for my elders; referring to them as Sir or Ma'am. The foundation of the lesson my mom and grandmother taught me hinged upon eight phrases: thank you, no thank you, you're welcome, please, no sir, yes sir, no ma'am, and yes ma'am. Sounds familiar? They should because as each of us transitioned through Basic Military Training (BMT) we were taught that our relative young institution, in comparison to our sister services, were built upon customs and courtesies. However, as we transition from BMT to Technical Training School and on to our first installation we sometimes forget or disregard the teachings we learned as a trainee or cadet. Time honored customs and courtesies secured in our blanket of traditions that have withstood the test of time: saluting the wing commander's vehicle, proper wear of the uniform, standing when an officer enters the room, referring to individuals senior in rank to us as Sir or Ma'am. Those fundamental principles were reinforced while attending Technical Training School and sometime shortly thereafter a few of us began to loose sight of their importance. Our customs and courtesies are proven traditions that explain what we should and should not do in many situations. They mirror the acts of respect and courtesy my mother and grandmother taught me to demonstrate when dealing with other people. Military customs and courtesies go beyond basic politeness; they play an extremely important role in building morale, esprit de corps, discipline, and mission effectiveness. It's about being proud of who you are and what you stand for. Customs and courtesies ensure proper respect for the chain of command and build the foundation for self-discipline ... they make our Air Force and it's people special. We are all working extremely hard and long hours to win today's war, take care of our people and prepare for tomorrow's challenges. However, our customs and courtesies can't take a back seat to the mission because they are what make us successful. They not only play a role in building morale, esprit de corps and discipline, but also are essential to human relations as well. Team Travis encompasses everyone to include our civilian partners and they too deserve politeness and everyday common courtesy. I believe what my mother and grandmother taught me, was about being proud of who you are, what you stand for and respecting others for who they are. If you incorporate those eight phrases I was taught into your everyday vocabulary, I guarantee you will see a drastic change in how people respond to you. As always, have a great weekend, be safe, make responsible choices and I'll see you around campus.