This U.S. Army indoctrination film “Military Courtesy” is primarily about the importance of the salute in the military. The modern western salute originated from French knights. This film opens as cadets undergo drill exercises (:13). Attendance is called (:20). Cadets are ordered to fall out for mealtime (:39). Two cadets break off mocking the drill sergeant (:39). The drill sergeant calls the pair as they smoke (1:13). He sends them to his quarters (1:20). He questions them on their behavior; Underhill was witnessed sparking a cigarette for Williams (1:59). He admits to hearing the boys mock him (2:08). The salute is compared to simple courtesies such as opening a door for a peer or sparking another person’s cigarette (2:49). He explains of all forms of military courtesy, the salute is the most important (2:53). A man who has been court martialed loses the privilege of saluting (3:20). One of the men complains he doesn’t understand the proper time to salute (3:33). The drill sergeant begins instruction (3:52). A pair salutes at six paces from one another (4:18). This gives them the opportunity to return the salute. An officer passes and the soldier salutes (4:24). A private salutes an officer as they begin a discussion (4:54) and again as they part (5:04). One soldier sights an officer approaching, he salutes and the others follow (5:13). How to salute while requesting information is depicted (5:19). The man in charge salutes for the entire group as an officer passes (5:27). The same process is conducted as they move off in formation (5:35). How to salute when holding an object in your saluting hand is discussed (5:58). Another soldier awkwardly drops everything as an officer approaches (6:11). The officer picks up the parcel for him (6:24). The enlisted man demonstrates the proper way to salute with hands full (6:29). It is only necessary to salute a moving vehicle in the event there is a General’s marker on the bumper (6:49). In the washroom (7:08), sloppy saluting is discussed. The drill sergeant shows the proper salute (7:29) with a smart, stiff arm. The angle between the elbow and the tips of the fingers are noted (7:44). He adjusts Underhill’s arm as they practice (8:05). Williams is instructed to relax (8:21). How to end the salute is demonstrated (8:34). How to salute when reporting to the company commander with a request follows (9:24). The hat must be removed (9:26). The proper address is heard (10:02). How to part after the request is demonstrated (10:16). The three rifle salutes follow (11:20). While on guard (11:51), present arms is executed (11:54). A hand salute is delivered (12:07) while on sling arms. During times of recreation and play, it is important to come to attention when an officer approaches (12:28). The salute is also unnecessary while at work (12:43). The private walks on the left of the officer (12:54). Two soldiers perform routine business and are not required to come to attention (13:03). How to react to an officer entering the mess hall is displayed (13:14). A private must stop eating as the officer approaches (13:29). An officer enters the barracks (13:35), privates react from their cots. A pair of shoppers hang outside the Marijon Beauty Salon (14:21). A soldier enters the prescription drug store (14:26). He opens the door for a civilian (14:29). Soldiers were expected to behave well. A pair hangs outside a bar (14:33), they jeer at two women passing by. Servicemen and loved ones board a city bus (14:45). A young couple eats at the dinner table (15:17). A horn blares (16:04) and men stand at attention around a white 1954 Oldsmobile (16:06). The US flag blows in the breeze (16:08). Soldiers sit in the back of a small military jeep (16:13). They stand at attention around the flag pole, Fort Moore is pictured in the background (16:17). The 75mm gun smokes (16:27). Privates salute as the flag is pulled down (16:31) at the end of the exercise. Two men salute around a motorcycle (16:43). Family and friends hang around a black 1946 black Cadillac (16:48). The film concludes with images of other privates saluting (16:55).

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