Saluting the flag

[patrioticman]

On military bases often times there is a bugle call for attention before the national anthem starts and a bugle call after to carry on. When is the salute dropped? At the end of the National Anthem or at the carry on bugle call? Where can I find this in an instruction?

[Gatorsail]

At the end of the National Anthem

[Peter Ansoff]

Gatorsail is correct. Here is the language from US Army FM 3-21.5:

"Whenever and wherever the United States National Anthem, “To the Color,” “Reveille,” or “Hail to the Chief’ is played, at the first note, all dismounted personnel in uniform and not in formation face the flag (or the music, if the flag is not in view), stand at Attention, and render the prescribed Salute. The position of Salute is held until the last note of the music is sounded."

USC Title 36 has simlar language:

"During a redition of the national anthem . . . individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note . . ."

Peter Ansoff

[Matthew Kelly]

Recently during a change of command ceremony where the Colors were posted and the National Anthem played, two senior CSM's did not salute. I questioned them afterward and they replied that when not part of a formation or the ceremony, individuals do not salute. I believe this to be completely wrong and contrary to the flag code. I'd like to set these two senior NCO's straight. Any comments?

[Peter Ansoff]

Greetings, Matthew!

I questioned them afterward and they replied that when not part of a formation or the ceremony, individuals do not salute. I believe this to be completely wrong and contrary to the flag code.

You are correct. See the quote from Army FM 3-21.5 in my earlier post in this thread. It says specifically that personnel not in formation should salute "whenever and wherever" the national anthem is played. The civilian flag code is not quite as specific, but it's still pretty clear. I assume that this was a military ceremony, so military regs would apply in any case.

Your friends may be confused by the distinction about in formation vs. not in formation. They actually have it backwards. The same Army FM states that personnel *in* formation do not salute individually. The person in charge of the formation gives the salute for the whole formation.

Best,

Peter Ansoff

[Robin Hickman]

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Yep. Sounds about right to me.

In this case, I would suggest that "NCO" should stand for "Not Correct (Obviously)" !!!

Robin Hickman
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