Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Protocol and Flag”
There is a misunderstanding that keeps showing up in morning colors and evening colors ceremonies: people see a flag being raised or lowered and folded, and an immediately thought is that the Flag Detail is a color guard, the flag fold is exactly like a funeral honors team, or that the ceremony can take place at a better position for all to see.
Yesterday’s article had two photos of incorrect Navy Flag displays. This article goes in-depth to explain what the issues are for both.
I get this question fairly regularly. What flags should we carry in the upcoming parade?
Every year, as motorcycle season ramps up and public events increase, more people display the American flag on vehicles, apparatus, and equipment. The intent is almost always honorable.
The execution, however, is often incorrect.
This is an extension of yesterday’s article and is geared for cadets.
With motorcycle season underway, more riders—particularly veterans, first responders, and patriotic citizens—choose to display the American flag while riding. While the intent is commendable, execution often falls short of established protocol.
The image above is from the US Naval Air Forces Instagram account (Dec 2025). The colors display is in an aircraft hangar on NAS North Island (San Diego, CA). It is a majority civilian standards display mixed with a military accent.
With the United States approaching its 250th anniversary, I’ve started receiving more questions about historical flags—specifically whether groups can carry items like the Betsy Ross flag or the Gadsden flag in parades and ceremonies.
Joint military displays are governed not by location or uniform, but by service ownership of the colors and joint-service hierarchy rules. Below is the doctrinal reason, the governing principle, and the correct application for joint displays on a Navy installation or by a Navy-only color guard.
I wanted to explain the two types of doctrinal authority in the US military and use the flag spreader debate as a case study.