[bopacar]

How is the Flag folded? What is the proper way to transport the folded Flag?

[SSGCARP]

I am a member of the Montana National Guard Honor Guard. I will be answering from a military funeral honors perspective since that is were my base of knowledge comes from. I will give you the basics of folding the flag and not worry with some of the tricks, tips and techniques I teach to Honor Guard Members.



I first have to note that there are 3 different details for folding the flag. First and most common is the 2 man fold. Second is the 3 man fold. The third is a 6 man fold (Yeah, I know not politically correct). In all of these details the flag is folded in the same manner.



Let's approach this as a 2 man fold as it is less confusing to read. The person at the end of the flag with the blue field and stars (canton) is the detail leader (DL). The other person is the fold man(FM). When it is time to fold, the DL needs to ensure that the flag is oriented correctly with the canton in their left hand. Now make a horizontal fold in the flag matching up the corners in your left and right hands. Next the DL and FM slide their hands, that are on the side with only stripes (DL's right hand and FM's Left hand), to the bottom of the flag. Both members now turn the flag to the canton is on the bottom and stripes are up. Make a second horizontal fold in the same manner. Now the FM starts the triangle folds by placing the corner in his left hand along the right edge forming an isosceles right triangle with the folded material. The second fold is made by placing the point that is in the FM's right hand along the right side of the flag. Now for fold 3. Take the corner on the right now goes to the left edge (reverse of fold one). Fold 4 is the reverse of fold two. The FM places the point that is in his left hand along the left side. Continue to fold in this manner. Fold five is the same as 1, 6=2, 7=3, 8=4 etc. On the 8th fold the point of the folds should land about 1 inch into the canton but not further than the first star. After the 13th triangle fold the extra material is tucked in. The DL does this by placing the corner in his right hand under the triangle fold near the middle, making sure that there is about 1 inch of unfolded material on his right side between the fold he just made and the triangle folds. The DL then lifts the material in their right hand so that it is straight up and down and grasps it with his right hand with the thumb and index finger. The DL's right palm should be facing him/her with the flag material grasped between the index and thumb. Now the DL lifts up the upper most triangle fold with left hand and pushes the material in the left hand underneath ensuring that the flag is tight, the corner at the right is rolled nicely and no red is showing.

[SSGCARP]

Transporting the flag is a different matter. I the Honor Guard we carry the flag in this manner. Left hand on top right hand underneath with fingers extended and joined on both hands. The point of the flag is toward the carrier and the long flat edge away.

The thought behind this is that the point of the flag is like the point of the spear. Since we don’t want to stab Next of Kin when you present the flag; we carry it flat edge forward.

This next part I have not yet been able to confirm or disprove. I have been told that when in a strictly military setting one would carry the flag point forward until they are ready to hand the flag over to another Soldier. At that time the flag would be turned so the flat edge is facing forward presented to the next soldier and then saluted.

I would like to add that any manner in which you carry the flag would be fine as long as it is done so with the utmost respect and does not bring disgrace to you or the flag.