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Precedence

Overview

What is precedence

Determining precedence

Categories of precedence

Resources

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What is Precedence?

Precedence is…

“The practice of precedence in official life is conducive to smooth relations because it provides simple answers to what might otherwise be difficult questions of rank and formality”

- McCaffrey, Innis and Sand

Precedence

Precedence is the foundation of protocol rules and is the common language of protocol

The practice of precedence provides simple answers to complex issues of rank and formality

Recognized system of international courtesy

Keys to the system:◆Seniority, age, position, wealth,

tradition and regulation◆All can be used to determine precedence

Establishing the “pecking” order – no “equals” among “equals”

Mixing and matching Consistency and predictability Flexibility in the system

Determining Precedence

Categories of Consideration

Each category has structure

Government

International

Business

Community

Family

Government Precedence

Custom and tradition have established the official order of precedence in the United States

◆ Generally based on position, rank, or length of service

General hierarchy:

◆ Elected

◆ Appointed

◆ Government service employees

Government Precedence

Precedence is determined at the discretion of the Current Administration

Statute Creation of New Positions Abolishment/Reclassification

U.S. Government: Establishment of

Department11 Members of the Cabinet (other than the Secretary of State) according to date of

establishment of the department, and as added by The President, as follows:

Secretary of the Treasury

Secretary of Defense

Attorney General

Secretary of the Interior

Secretary of Agriculture

Secretary of Commerce

Secretary of Labor

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Secretary of Transportation

Secretary of Energy

U.S. Government: Establishment of

DepartmentContinuation:

Secretary of Education

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Secretary of Homeland Security

Chief of Staff to the President

Director, Office of Management and Budget

United States Trade Representative

Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency

Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Director of National Intelligence

12 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Senators (by length of service; when the same, by State's date of admission in the Union, or alphabetically by State)

Secretary Deputy Secretary Undersecretaries Assistant Secretaries Deputy Assistant Secretaries

Order – within government departments:

Heads of State ranked by date of office Heads of Government ranked by date

of office Ambassadors ranked by date of arrival

and presentation of credentials (senior person is Dean of the Corps)

Chargés ranked by date of assumption of office

Multiple International/Visiting

Delegations:

Order determined by head of delegation

Ambassador always senior, but can yield position to Minister/Secretary

Ask for delegation list in protocol order!

Single Foreign/Visiting Delegation:

Precedence Practices – Civilian Leadership

Senate Confirmed Positions (PAS) ◆Senior civilian leadership◆Precedence established by date of

appointment◆“The Honorable”

Senior Executive Service (SES) Civilians◆Precedence determined based on

position held, not the SES pay grade

Once The Honorable, always The Honorable

Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate

Elected officials Full time members of boards and some

commissions Assistants, Deputy Assistants and Special Assistants to the President

The Honorable

Military Precedence

Determined by date of promotion within the ranks

Position can take precedence over rank◆Example: The Chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Inter-Service Precedence

Precedence is the same for all services◆Active duty precedes Guard,

Reserves, and retired of the same rank

Each Service has it’s own precedence list

The Department of Defense (DoD) precedence list is used for joint events

Army

Marines

Navy

Air Force

Coast Guard

Service Precedence

International

May include officials from:

Government (all levels)

International trade organizations

Non-governmental organizations

Corporate

Academia

Clergy

Community

May include officials from:

Academia

Local government officials

Ecclesiastical

Philanthropical organizations

Local citizens

Business Determine the structure of the business

An example:

◆Chairman of the Board

◆Company President

◆CEO

◆Executive Vice President

◆Senior Vice President

◆Regional Vice President

◆Director

Family

VIP without official rank

Spouses generally afforded the same precedence as their spouse at official functions

Widows are accorded same rank as the principals at official functions

Common Practices

Military Retirees– Follow active duty military of the

same rank

“Formers”– Follow the rule of seniority

• Present followed by the person that service “first” and coming forward

• Example: US Presidents. President Obama is first followed by Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush

• Look at the two next examples – which is correct?

Dignitaries at Coretta Scott King Funeral

State precedence determined by date admitted to the Union◆Establishes State flag precedence◆Establishes State officials precedence

Only two States admitted on same date◆North and South Dakota

◆Alphabetically

Precedence of States

3-Step Formula for Success

Determine which category the individual belongs

Place individuals w/in each category in rank or precedence order

Apply situational consideration (purpose of event and special needs) and desires of the host

Federal Government Congress Military Clergy Judiciary State and local government officials Foreign government officials Family members

Mixing and Matching:

“Failure to recognize the proper rank and precedence is an insult not only to individuals and their positions, but to the countries they represent.”

- Protocol, 25th Anniversary Edition,

The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Official and Social Usage

by Mary Jane McCaffree, Pauline Innis, Richard M. Sand

Precedence

Honor & Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address

By: Robert Hickey

Resources

United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette

By:Ambassador Mary Mel French

Resources

Protocol: The Authoritative Source, 35th Anniversary Edition

Mary Jane McCaffree Pauline Innis, Richard M. Sand

Resources

Knowing Precedence is the Foundation to Piecing together the Puzzle

Cabinet Cabinet MembersMembers

Heads ofHeads ofStateState

MilitaryMilitary

AmbassadorAmbassadorss

City MayorCity Mayor

RepresentativesRepresentatives

Business Business LeadersLeaders

FamilyFamily

SenatorsSenators