[matthew.b.casteel]

Hello,

I am an officer in the U.S. Army serving in Afghanistan and I am hoping someone might assist me with gathering some information on flag protocol while on a U.S. camp in a combat zone.

We have an American flag flying over our camp. What is the history / protocol concerning the raising and lowering of the flag. I have heard conflicting information. Some say it should stay up at all times and others say it should be raised and lowered as if we were on a post in the states.

Thanks

[Peter Ansoff]

I am an officer in the U.S. Army serving in Afghanistan and I am hoping someone might assist me with gathering some information on flag protocol while on a U.S. camp in a combat zone.

Greetings, Matthew, and welcome to the forum. First of all, our deepest thanks for doing what you are doing. I've always been inspired by the phrase at the beginning of the fourth verse of the national anthem:

"O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation."

You and your troops are living examples of what Key was writing about, and we are very grateful to you all for this.

Now, to your questions!

We have an American flag flying over our camp. What is the history / protocol concerning the raising and lowering of the flag. I have heard conflicting information. Some say it should stay up at all times and others say it should be raised and lowered as if we were on a post in the states.

The authority for this is AR 840-10, Chapter 2-2. Here are the relevant extracts:

"a. The flag of the United States will be displayed outdoors at all Army installations.
. . .
d. The flag of the United States should be displayed with foreign national flags at overseas installations according to applicable international agreements.
e. The flag of the United States will be displayed daily from reveille to retreat.
f. MACOM commanders may authorize permanent or semipermanent (more than one week at a time) 24-hour display of the flag provided the flag is properly illuminated with its own source of light during hours of darkness. Major commands may delegate this authority to major subordinate commands.
g. Local or installation commanders may authorize nighttime display of the flag of the United States during special events or on special occasions, provided the flag is properly illuminated."

All this seems pretty self-explanatory. From a historical perspective, it's been usual to fly the flag on US forts, ships, etc. when it was necessary to signify that the location was held by US forces. (This was what flags were created for in the first place, of course.) From that standpoint, I think a case could be made that it's appropriate to fly the flag after dark when there is a possibility of hostile action, etc.

I hope this is useful. The very best of luck to you and all there.

Peter Ansoff