Staff and Faculty Uniform Manual

Section 1
Customs and Courtesies
of the Military College of Vermont (MCV)

1. Concept

   Norwich University combines the traditions common to American institutions of higher learning with the customs and courtesies of a military college. Military customs and courtesies observed include: exchanging salutes and greetings, addressing the students in a formal manner, daily reveille and retreat ceremonies, and formal parades and ceremonies throughout the year.

2. Dress

   The Military College of Vermont (MCV) observes formal standards of dress and appearance. These standards for officers and warrant officers of the Vermont State Militia (VSM) are specified under paragraph 2, Section 2 of this manual. Non-uniformed members of the Norwich faculty and staff should be guided in their dress and grooming by the levels of formality indicated below and in Section 2. In all cases, clothing and appearance should be professional and should reflect the conservative tradition of Norwich University.

3. Forms of Address

   The military title of all first semester members of the Corps of Cadets before recognition is Recruit. The military rank of all other members of the Corps of Cadets is Cadet. A cadet may be designated by the Commandant to hold a leadership position, with commensurate rank, such as “Corporal,” “Captain,” “Lieutenant Colonel,” and so forth. The formal titles (e.g. “Cadet Corporal,” “Cadet Captain,” etc.) given to cadets who hold such positions are appropriate for use in written and oral communication. Mister or Ms/Miss may also be used in oral communication. Norwich University students who are not members of the Corps of Cadets should be addressed with comparable formality.

4. Saluting

   Members of the Vermont State Militia (VSM) are expected to return salutes and greetings rendered by cadets upon meeting out-of-doors or when the cadet reports while indoors. In addition, members of the VSM are expected to render and return appropriate salutes and greetings to other uniformed members of the staff and faculty. This courtesy is also extended when meeting uniformed service members of our active and reserve U.S. forces and uniformed guests visiting from other nations. The junior member initiates the salute, and holds the salute until the senior member returns the salute. When saluting, members face each other and exchange salutes with rigor and precision. Courtesy precludes saluting with the left hand in the pocket or with objects in the right hand or mouth. [Note: A cadet reporting indoors will do so uncovered and with a salute. The cadet will hold the salute until returned by the superior officer, who, if seated, may remain so when returning the salute.]

5. Honors

   Customary military honors observed on the MCV campus include the following:

   1. When the American colors (American flag with gold fringe) passes or is passed out-of-doors, the officer renders a salute within six paces of the flag and maintains it until the flag is six paces distant. This does not apply to regular American flags nor the flags flying at campus flagpoles located on the Upper Parade Field or at Sabine Field.

   2. When outdoors during Reveille and Retreat, as the first note is sounded, members of the Norwich University faculty and staff come to attention and face the flag or the direction of the Upper Parade Ground flagpole. If in a setting where you are not sure where the flagpole is located, face the direction of the accompanying music. When in uniform, a hand salute is rendered and held as the gun is fired. When not in uniform, men and women come to attention and hold the right hand over the heart until the flag is raised or lowered and the last note of music is sounded. If civilian head covering is being worn, men remove it with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart. Women place their right hand over their heart, but are not required to remove civilian headgear.
      [Note: There is a Retreat ceremony at 1700 hours (5 p.m.) on the Upper Parade Ground when the Corps is present. Similarly, Reveille occurs at 0745 hours (7:45 a.m.) Monday through Friday and 0700 (7 a.m.) on weekends.

   3. The Retreat ceremony commences with the sounding of “Retreat” on the bugle, then a cannon shot immediately followed by the National Anthem or “To The Colors.” On the sound of the shot, or upon the playing of the first note of the National Anthem or “To The Colors,” the officer comes to attention, faces the flag or the music if the flag is not visible, and, if in uniform out-of-doors, salutes. When not in uniform, men and women come to attention and hold the right hand over the heart. If civilian head covering is being worn, men remove it with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart.

   4. Faculty and staff of Norwich University are expected to alight from a stationary vehicle to render respect to the flag or to the National Anthem.

   5. During the playing of the National Anthem, and while inside a building, members of the Norwich University faculty and staff in uniform who are not part of a formation will stand uncovered at attention and will not render the hand salute.

   6. When the band plays “Ruffles and Flourishes” in honor of a general officer or other dignitary, or during the firing of salutes or playing of taps at funerals and memorial ceremonies, those in uniform come to attention and, when appropriate (out-of-doors), salute.