Firefighters in Formation

First Responders, the Pledge, Anthem, and Taps

DrillMasterProtocol and Flag Leave a Comment

It’s a grey area and I am writing this for clarification based on a message I received. What do first responders do when the Pledge of Allegiance or the Star-Spangled Banner are on the itinerary for a ceremony? Let’s go through this.

The Situation

The message: In lieu of the National Anthem, there was a collective recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Our command staff inquired with our team leadership who made the call that all uniformed personnel should recite the pledge with hands over the heart. Those who were critical felt that a salute was the proper honor to be rendered.

To the best of my recollection, for uniformed military personnel, the prescription is standing at attention. All persons in civilian attire would render the “civilian salute” of the hand over the heart. In the realm of public safety, we are rather ununiform.

Firefighters in formation
Firefighters in formation

Recommendations

For the Pledge: Have everyone stand at Attention, face the flag, and, if outside, render the hand salute (whether wearing a hat or not since some departments do not wear hats with all uniforms), if indoors, no salute and no hand over the heart. As you can see by the text from the Flag Code below the guidance is for “persons in uniform”.

4 U.S. Code § 4 – Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform. (Underline emphasis mine.)

This brings up a great point. If an auditorium is filled with 200 LEOs, for instance, and then four administrative employees who are not uniformed workers, it would be very awkward to have four voices out of 204 people reciting the Pledge. Time to make sure that you have a recording of the Star-Spangled Banner instrumental or have a volunteer sing rather than relying on the Pledge.

The Star-Spangled Banner and Taps: Same as above. Render the hand salute on the first note and drop the salute on the last.

“All Uniformed Personnel! Present, ARMS!”

This is a typical command for large gatherings of first responders at funerals, memorials, etc. It works and I don’t think it should be changed (I’ve been asked). The alternative would be to create large battalion formations in column of different departments, designate commanders and one commander over the whole formation and then go through the rigmarole of the proper procedure “Give your units, Attention/Present Arms, Parade Rest” and the commanders turning around and in sequence giving the commands. It’s too much and first responder gatherings are much better served with the “All uniformed personnel” commands.

At a funeral, if necessary, go off the commands of the color guard since that element is the closest to the casket and can hear/see what is happening.

The “Slow Salute”

In a formation, there is no such thing as a slow salute. One count up, one count down. That’s it. In front of the family is different (read Folded Flag Salute Protocol). The slow salute, three seconds up and down, is rendered by an individual handing off a flag to the presenter or next-of-kin. It’s also used for casket watch (guards do not salute each other).

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