Customs, courtesies vital to good inter-service partnership Published Sept. 22, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- (As the third and final in a series of "customs and courtesies" articles, this particular story focuses on the importance of inter-service cultural knowledge among each of the U.S. military branches.) Whether it's rank structure, jargon or procedures for addressing a higher-ranked individual, each of the five branches of U.S. armed forces demonstrates a unique culture to one another while intermingling to perform one common mission. Because the different services' counterparts work together at one point or another at either a deployed location or home station, it's paramount for individuals from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy or Coast Guard to have some knowledge of his or her partner services. "Their traditions are what make them who they are," said Senior Airman Christina Williams, 18th Security Forces Squadron flightline constable. "Everyone needs to make it a point [to familiarize themselves with other branches' traditions], because in the end, we all have to come together to complete one mission, and there should be no issues." Robert Purdy, Fleet Activities, Okinawa Public Affairs officer, said just knowing the ranks of a partner service is one of the smallest things an individual could do to show respect and better represent his or her own service. "Knowing is respect and common courtesy," said Purdy. "Being able to recognize the various ranks of service when working with them and addressing them is respect. It's the basics of our jobs as representatives of the various branches of service." Purdy said it's this respect and ambassadorship that keeps the different forces operating well together. "It's best to keep that tight relationship to operate smoothly," Purdy continued. "It's vital to readiness and our ability to work together as a team. You respect your neighbors and teammates, and it just leads to a better working environment." Aside from the Coast Guard, Kadena alone represents every branch of the U.S. armed forces. With so many people from different backgrounds, it's easy to see why it would be important to familiarize oneself with other customs. However, Williams said even if someone works somewhere without as much of an inter-service presence, being more knowledgeable is just good practice. "I think it's just important because we are so closely linked here with everybody on one installation," said Williams. "It would be very beneficial to know how to address somebody properly. As a military member, you're a military member 24/7, 365, so it doesn't really matter where you are." Whether in the U.S. or on a busy island like Okinawa, service members from all branches should take the time to research other services' ranks and customs to promote a better partnership.