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A long-held military tradition dictates that you should always walk on the left side of senior ranking individuals.  For hundreds of years men fought with swords and shields.  Most warriors carried the sword in their right and the shield in their left hand.  Individuals and units who were proud of their fighting ability and desire to go offensive requested the right side of the battle line as a post of honor.  Thus, the right became the honored side.  When you permit a senior ranking individual to sit or walk on your right, you’re showing them respect by allowing them to symbolically fill the post of honor.

One exception to this rule is during In-Ranks inspections, when the senior inspector is to the left and as a result has the best vantage point from which to conduct the inspection. The unit’s leader (Company Commander, Platoon Leader) is leading the inspector through his/her unit.

When entering a car, the junior ranking person enters first, with the senior person entering last. When leaving the car, the senior officer goes first. For example, if a lieutenant, colonel and a general were going to ride in the back seat of a car, the lieutenant would enter first, followed by the colonel and then the general (the car driver would open and close the door). When leaving, the general would go first, followed by the colonel and then the lieutenant.