Published at 0919. Updated at 1128. Another update is at the bottom.
There are rules and regulations surrounding military funeral honors. The military does not provide any type of honors, including a casket team, for just any civilian.
What are Military Funeral Honors?
Military funeral honors are a solemn tribute provided to eligible service members, veterans, and select civilians to recognize their service to the nation. By law, every eligible veteran is entitled to a ceremony that includes, at a minimum, the following:
- The presence of a military funeral honors detail: This detail consists of at least two uniformed military personnel, with at least one representing the decedent’s branch of service.
- The sounding of “Taps”: This can be performed by a live bugler or a high-quality electronic recording.
- The folding and presentation of the U.S. flag: An interment flag is draped over the casket or folded and laid next to the urn, and members of the detail (re)folds and presents it to the next of kin.
In addition to the minimum requirements, other honors may be rendered depending on the deceased’s rank, service, and circumstances of death. These can include:
- A rifle salute: Typically a three-volley salute by a squad armed with rifles. This is reserved for veterans who retired from military service, service members killed on active duty, and recipients of the Medal of Honor.
- Casket bearers/pallbearers: Military personnel who carry the casket.
- Flyover: A ceremonial flyover by military aircraft, often reserved for high-ranking officers or distinguished service members.
- Caisson: A horse-drawn caisson (a two-wheeled cart) may be used to carry the casket to the gravesite, most famously at Arlington National Cemetery.
The request for military funeral honors is typically made by the family through their funeral director. Proof of honorable service, a DD Form 214, is required to confirm eligibility.
Official Department of Defense policy and federal law, specifically Public Law 106-65, outlines very specific eligibility criteria.
Military funeral honors are Reserved for:
- Members of the armed forces on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under honorable conditions.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under honorable conditions.
- Recipients of the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, or other high-level decorations for valor.
There are also specific exceptions for Presidents, former Presidents and other high-ranking government officials who die while in office.
Carrying Caskets of Civilians
Members of the military can carry the casket of a civilian when that civilian is a dependent in the military member’s family. The spouse and/or adult (handicapped/disabled) child is buried in the grave of the servicemember with that casket commonly carried by pallbearers of that service.
Mr. Kirk’s Casket
The carrying of Charlie Kirk’s casket by base honor guard members of Hill AFB (UT) is a subject of significant debate and scrutiny within the military community and the public. While it is not a protocol for a typical civilian, it’s possible that an exception was made at a high level (which then possibly opens a door no one can close).
The Presidential Medal of Freedom?
The President posthumously awarded Mr. Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but that does not rate eligibility for members of the military to carry the casket. This was a special request at the highest level.
The situation with Charlie Kirk is unique and falls into this rare category of a special, authorized ceremonial event, likely due to his close relationship with the sitting Vice President and his role as a prominent public figure. It is not a protocol that would be automatically extended to all recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
There are instances where military personnel have participated in the funeral of a non-military individual, such as a former U.S. President’s spouse, a high-ranking government official, or a public figure who had a close relationship with the military. For example, military personnel have been pallbearers for prominent figures like Rosa Parks and former presidents’ family members.
The key distinction is that these are not typically considered “military funeral honors” in the sense of the program for veterans, but rather a ceremonial gesture authorized by a high-ranking military or government official for a state funeral or a dignified transfer. The situation with Charlie Kirk appears to fall into this gray area, where the military’s involvement was likely a matter of discretion and a special authorization rather than a standard procedure for a civilian.
Update: It Get’s Worse
This looks so bad for the current administration. So bad. Updated 21 Sept 2025 1634 eastern.
Why was there a second set of USAF pallbearers?
Why was the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard at the memorial?
Comments 13
I\am afraid to voice my opinion because we have lost our freedom of speech.Didn’t know if a person could preech hatred aginst black’s.King, The 1964 rights ack and have a Military Honor Guard when never in the military/ Whats wrong with our country, when flags are half staff for him, and when senator in Minn ,nothing was mentioned by our President or flags at half staff! How many Veterans are flown on President planes when died, verry few get a Honor Guard.Said enough because i don’t want to go to jail for expressing the freedom i fought in the Vietnam War to protect!
THE issue is NOT what military members, subject to lawful orders do/did if following orders (which I believe they did). THE issue is what those in the chain of command required; in this case president [sic] Trump; vp [sic] JD V ; &/or sec’y [sic] DoD H. My understanding is one or more of the three required AF 2 transport, casket carriers, annd other services traditionally considered honors. Indeed, honors could be rendered to an appropriate civilian; those who created the means to end WWII, cure cancers, serve their country in senior elected positions, etc. CK was neither military, nor a civilian deserving of honors reserved for military and very senior government officials. He made his livelihood as an antagonizing, usually erroneous, talking head. Bless him and his right to free speech… but honors-worthy, he was not. In that regard p Trump, vp V, and SecDoD H has done our country, our military past & present, and Americans everywhere a huge disservice. It IS a matter of opinion… and I submit my opinion is as good as any from my 27 years of Armed Forces service, 15 more years supporting DHS, DoD, DNI and the IC, and 30 years as a lawyer during & after active duty. My opinion is, I suspect, better than many who are uninformed.
Who ever ordered this just made the US military a laughing stock around the world. Since when does our military get used for political gains?
Author
We were made a laughing stock on the world’s stage when the Army was told last-minute to have troops march in their 250th parade in DC with no practice and idiotic music blasting at the reviewing stand.
All I can say is I am not pleased at whoever authorized this at a high level. I will leave it at that.
Author
Excellent response.
Charlie Kirk is not deserve a military honor guard, does not deserve a gun salute, does not deserve an American flag on his casket!!!
Author
Mr. Kirk did not receive a gun salute, he had his casket carried by six Airmen. That’s it. When the VP asks, you execute. Every American may have a flag on their casket, it’s their choice. No one else gets to determine whether another “deserves” it, it is provided for in the Flag Code which is public law and written for civilian Americans. I have written all about this here.
I understand your reply to be diplomatic and reasonable, however, this is just an example of the rabbit hole our country is going down. I am an Army veteran and I am offended, appalled and amazed at the changes that are going on in our country. We are heading backwards.
Author
I completely agree, Ma’am.
So do you agree with Airmen carrying Kirk’s casket?
Author
It doesn’t matter whether I agree or not. What matters is that it was performed, most likely at the behest of the President or VP, and the closest Base Honor Guard personnel handled the request. I have already addressed what the standards are in the article and the situation did not meet any published requirement for a civilian to have his casket carried by the US military in uniform (not the President, member of Congress, etc.). The Airmen involved did nothing wrong, they complied with a request from leadership.
Agreed. This whole situation is despicable. He was not in the military, nor was he an elected official. He was a college dropout who had the Bible memorized, and. Gerry picked which parts he wanted to follow and demonize others who didn’t follow what he did.