Flag Protocol

1. Flags flown from stationary flagstaffs on bases are saluted only at reveille, retreat, and special occasions. Small flags and flags on half-staff are not saluted. Cased and folded flags are not saluted.

 

2. Military personnel passing an uncased US flag salute approximately six paces before reaching the flag and hold the salute until they have passed approximately six paces beyond it. Likewise, when an uncased US flag passes by, military personnel salute approximately six paces before the flag is even with them and hold the salute until the flag has passed approximately six paces beyond them.

1. The US flag is symbolic of the United States and the principles for which it stands. The national anthem is a declaration of reverence and loyalty to the United States with the flag as an emblem.

2. On certain occasions, such as during inclement weather or when a band is not present for a retreat ceremony, To the Colors is played instead of the national anthem. To the Colors is a bugle call sounded as a salute to the flag and it symbolizes respect to the nation and the flag the same as the national anthem does. The proper courtesies in paragraphs 2.1 through 2.5 must be rendered.

2.1. When in uniform in formation, but not a part of a ceremony, the unit commander commands present arms when the national anthem or To the Colors is played. The unit should be faced toward the flag before being given present arms.

2.2. When in uniform, but not in formation:

2.2.1. Outdoors, at any ceremony where the US flag is present, come to attention, face the flag in the ceremony, and salute. At sporting events, if the flag is visible, face the flag and salute. If the flag is not visible, face the band and salute in its direction. If the music is recorded, face the front and salute. At all other outdoor occasions, follow the same general principle, come to attention, salute, and face the flag, if visible, or the music.

2.2.2. Indoors, when the national anthem or To the Colors is played, face the flag (if present) and assume the position of attention. If no flag is present, assume the position of attention facing the music. Do not salute unless under arms.

2.3. When in civilian clothing outdoors, take the same action as when in uniform, but use the following manner of saluting. Men remove the headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart. Men without hats and women salute by standing at attention and placing the right hand over the heart.

2.4. When in civilian clothing indoors, render the civilian salute by standing at attention and placing the right hand over the heart.

2.5. In vehicles during an Air Force flag ceremony, the driver brings the moving vehicle to a stop at the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors. Personnel in vehicles, including the driver, remain seated at attention.

3. Air Force photographers and camera operators render appropriate honors outlined in paragraph 2.2. except when they are specifically assigned to photograph others rendering honors.

4. Flags and national anthems of friendly foreign countries are shown the same marks of respect.

1. In military formations and ceremonies, the Pledge of Allegiance is not recited.

2. At protocol functions and social and sporting events that include civilian participants, military personnel should:

2.1. When in uniform outdoors, stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and render the hand salute.

2.2. When in uniform indoors, stand at attention, remain silent, and face the flag. Do not render the hand salute. Where the participants are primarily civilians or in civilian attire, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is optional for those in uniform.

2.3. When in civilian attire, recite the Pledge of Allegiance standing at attention, facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their headdress with the right hand and hold it over their left shoulder, hand over the heart.

1. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

2. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

3. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.

1. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

2. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.

3. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

4. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

5. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.

1. No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

2. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

3. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.

4. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

5. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

6. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

7. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

8. The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

9. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

10. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

11. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

12. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. (Disposal of Unserviceable Flags Ceremony)