In-ranks inspections matter because standards matter. All standards matter.
Who do we have inspections? Because everyone in uniform is expected to at least meet if not exceed a written standard. Some standards directly link to a life or lives of others. Other standards link to those standards.
Polish Army In-Ranks Inspection
You can’t enforce standards if you aren’t inspecting them.
Professor Flag, DeVaughn Simper
What does linked standards mean?
A simple standard, ensuring all the buttons on your uniform are all buttoned, is linked to ensuring your warehouse is clean and organized so that those who process thru your warehouse to be issued necessary equipment as they deploy down range, receive everything in working order. That is linked to the crew chief turning his F-16 can rely on the fuels tech to be there for a hot turnaround and the pilot can rely on everyone on the ground. The Navy Doc can rest assured his supplies are ready to go with his platoon. The admin personnel have what they need so that they can also concentrate on their jobs. Everything is linked. Every single standard matters and it all begins with drill and ceremonies as our foundation because we need to learn how to march to the inspection area, stand at Attention, and perform that seemingly insignificant task of buttoning all those buttons.
We used to say “If you don’t know if your blouse is buttoned, then you probably don’t know how many rounds are in your magazine.”
Will Pendragon, USMC veteran
Everything we do is based on standards and they are all linked. Some people don’t get that. They are the ones who make excuses for not meeting them.
Photos are hanks to our Polish friends at @dowodztwo_garnizonu_warszawa on Instagram.
All military departmental and organizational colors dip only in specific instances. The instances are fully explained for the departmental colors, and many do not understand that the restrictions to dip colors apply to all military organizational flags.
The image at top shows an Army ROTC color guard in the pass-in-review for a Basic Camp graduation at Fort Knox, KY.
Not to be Confused with a Naval Salute
From the US Navy Regulations Chapter 12. A naval salute involves lowering the colors in salute. For example, a merchant ship may lower its national flag to half-mast when passing a naval vessel. The ship then returns the salute by lowering its ensign to half-mast for a few seconds, then closing it back up. The merchant vessel then raises its ensign back up.
The tradition of dipping the colors was codified in 1594 when European powers agreed that only the Pope and King of Spain could continue to fly their colors when their ships encountered one another on the open seas. Ships of all other nations yielded precedence to these two and lowered their colors in salute.
The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard only return salutes from vessels flying the U.S. flag or the flag of a nation formally recognized by the Government of the United States. Warships never initiate such a salute, nor do they dip to each other. Submarines and or ships in which doing so would be hazardous for the crew are not required to dip the ensign.
This form of the dip does not apply to the other situations that are explained for a land-based color guard.
Dipping Colors for a Color Guard
The image at top shows an Army ROTC color guard in the pass-in-review for a Basic Camp graduation at Fort Knox, KY.
Two Nationals in One USN Ceremonial Guard Color Guard
National Colors
All national colors are not dipped. Ever. For military teams, carrying a foreign national must meet the requirements of DoD Instruction 5410.19, Volume 4, Section 5, 5.1. b.
(1) U.S. military personnel in a foreign location may carry the official national flag of foreign nations participating in official civil ceremonies sponsored and conducted by the U.S. Government or a State, county, or municipal government. (a) An official of the foreign nation concerned must be present in an official capacity to receive such honors. (b) The official must be an individual to whom honors normally are rendered. (2) In all other public programs or ceremonies, Service members in uniform and in an official capacity must not carry flags of foreign nations, veterans’ groups, or other non-military organizations.
Emphasis mine, above.
What the DoDI does not mention is what happens stateside. That means we look to other manuals for that guidance.
AR 840-10, 7-14. e. U.S. military personnel may carry flags of foreign nations in official military ceremonies when an official of that nation is present in an official capacity and is one for whom honors would normally be rendered.
MCO 5060.20, Chap 7, para. 5. e. The national colors of foreign countries will not normally be carried by the same color guard carrying the United States colors. When necessary, refer to reference (j [describes staffs and colors. -DM]).
MCO 10520.3, 4. Carrying Flags of Foreign Nations and Non-Military Organization. Marine Corps personnel may carry flags of foreign nations in official civil ceremonies when an official of the nation concerned is present in his official capacity and is one for whom honors normally would be rendered. In this capacity the flag of the foreign nation will be carried by a separate color guard (normally three Marines). This color guard will be preceded by a Marine Corps color guard during the ceremony. In all other public events or ceremonies, Marine Corps personnel in uniform and in an official capacity are not authorized to carry flags of foreign nations, veterans groups, or other nonmilitary organizations.
US Navy Regulations Chapter 12, 4. When a personal flag or a foreign ensign is required to be displayed ashore during the official visit of, or a gun salute to, a civil official or foreign officer it shall be displayed from the normal paint of display of a personal flag or pennant of the officer in command, and the latter’s flag or pennant shall be displayed at some other point within the command.
AFI 34-1201
2.12. At no time will a foreign national flag be dipped. [This means a foreign color can be carried. -DM]
2.22.7. When displayed or carried with flags of other Air Force organizations, foreign national flags, or state flags, the order of precedence is as follows: The United States Flag, foreign national flags, state flags, Air Force flag, and flags of other Air Force or military services organizations.
2.33.4. Flags of Friendly Foreign Nations. Flags of friendly foreign nations, when flown with flags described in this instruction, are approximately the same size. The designs are those selected by the foreign nations. They may be displayed or carried during ceremonies attended by officials or troops of friendly foreign nations.
TX Dept of Public Safety Color Guard Two National Colors
Civilian and civil (first responder) color guards can carry a foreign national flag. Notice that the photo shows the foreign national colors (here, Canadian) are not dipped. This team is using proper flag protocol.
Military Departmental and Organizational Colors
The Continental Color Guard of the US Army 3rd Infantry Division, The Old Guard
Two different ceremonies where it was appropriate to dip both colors and then only the organizational.
All departmental and organizational colors dip for:
The Star-Spangled Banner, To the Colors, and foreign national anthems. They DO NOT DIP for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The sounding of Taps and Hail to the Chief.
The President, VP, and members of the Cabinet.
All service Secretaries, Chiefs of Staff, equivalents, and higher. Also dipped for their representatives.
Foreign national dignitaries, civilian or military, of equivalent grade or higher.
In addition, all organizational colors are dipped:
To the unit commander*
*This is why JROTC color guards carry state colors in competition, understandable, but unnecessary. Replacing the AJROTC color should not be standard for any other ceremony. For more on this, read my article, The Why of the Military Color Guard – JROTC and State Colors. In any case, JROTC cadets need to stop immediately dipping their JROTC color, organizational or institutional, on command.
I know! The JROTC organizational colors are difficult to get and a bit expensive. Most cadets have no idea that the org color is mandatory to carry. I’m writing about what the standard is, not demanding you spend money you may not currently have to meet a standard (budgeting for this requirement is a really good idea).
References
AR 840-10, Chapter 4, 4-1, (7) Dipping the flag. The U.S. Army Ceremonial flag is an organizational color and is therefore dipped while the U.S. National Anthem, “To the Color,” or a foreign national anthem is played. The U.S. Army Ceremonial flag is also dipped when rendering honors to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, their direct representative, or an individual of higher grade, including a foreign dignitary of equivalent or higher grade. The U.S. Army Ceremonial flag will not be dipped under any other circumstances.
AR 600-25, Chapter 2, 2-2 a. The flag of the United States is not dipped by way of salute or compliment. The organizational color will be dipped in salute in all military ceremonies while the national anthem of the United States, “To the Colors,” or a foreign national anthem is being played, and when rendering honors to organizations and individuals for which the military ceremony is being conducted. b. The U.S. Army flag is an organizational color and as such is also dipped under the situations stated in paragraph 2–2a.
MCO 5060.20, Chapter 7, paragraph 2. Color Salutes, b. By the Organizational Colors. In military ceremonies, the organizational colors salutes while the “National Anthem,” “To the Colors,” “Retreat,” or “Hail to the Chief” is being played, and when rendering honors to the organizational commander, individual of higher rank, or the dead, but in no other case. (See section 1, paragraph 5 of this chapter.)
Salutes by the Organizational Colors a. Once the color guard is at present colors, and when appropriate, the organizational color bearer will render a salute with the organizational colors by straightening the right arm and lowering the staff naturally to the front. The staff will rotate naturally as it goes forward causing the sharp edge of the spearhead to face down. (See figure 7-13.) b. Salutes by the organizational colors are not automatic when presenting colors. They will be rendered only during honors to national colors, to the commander of the organization represented by the colors or to an individual senior in rank to the organizational commander; (e.g., during a parade or review when the adjutant presents the command to the commander of troops. The organizational colors does not salute, unless the commander of troops is the organizational commander or of higher rank.) c. When musical honors are played, the organizational colors will salute on the first note of music. The colors will be returned to the vertical position following the last note of music or the last volley of a gun salute. If no music is to be played and a color salute is appropriate, the organizational colors will salute immediately after the color guard has gone to present colors. d. When marching, the salute is rendered when 6 paces from the reviewing stand or person to be saluted. Carry colors is resumed when 6 paces beyond the reviewing stand or person to be saluted.
AFI 34-1201, 2.22.8. The Air Force departmental flag is an organizational flag and is dipped while the national anthem, “To The Color,” musical honors for CSAF or higher, or a foreign national anthem is played. The Departmental Flag is also dipped when rendering honors to the SecAF, the CSAF, their direct representative, or any government official of equivalent or higher grade, including foreign dignitaries, and during a pass in review. Additionally, the departmental flag and other subordinate flags will be dipped during military funeral honors. (T-1). This includes the movement and transfer of the remains, the playing of “muffled ruffles” and “Taps”. The departmental flag will not be dipped under any other circumstances. (T-1).
This is an interesting aspect of flag display outside on a flagpole. What is required? Aesthetics is going to be your guide, but there is a bit more to it.
Definitions
For our purposes, we need to define some terms.
Flagpole/Mast- a permanent structure that is outside in the ground.
Flagstaff- what a color guard carries. For the military, that would be the guidon staff.
Halyard- a rope on a pulley system attached to a pole or mast.
Outside Flag- has grommets for attaching to a halyard, never mounted on a staff.
Indoor/Outdoor (parade) Flag- a flag with a pole hem ( staff sleeve) that is mounted onto a staff.
Multiple Flags at Half-Staff?
No. I came to a rest area that had three flags flying from a single pole. The flags were lowered to half-staff (“Mast” is associated with the sea services, the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and maritime activities). Half-staff is only for the American flag, the other two should have been removed from the halyard.
What About Gaps Between the Flags?
Is there specific guidance on how much of a gap should be between each flag when multiple flags are flown on the same halyard?
No. There isn’t any guidance in the Flag Code or military manuals except for the Department of the Air Force. AFI 34-1201, Protocol, states:
2.10.8. …Minuteman, or Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flags to be flown on the same halyard with the United States Flag. They should be fastened to the halyard at a distance below the United States Flag so that when both are at rest the United States Flag does not touch or overlap the second flag.
As for any other flagstaff for the government, military service, civilian, or civil, a gap between flags is not necessary.
No. Governors, stop pandering. For POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September, the US flag is not lowered to half-staff. Half-staff is a sign of mourning a death, not just sadness over one who is missing. We don’t know what happened to thousands of missing military. Let’s not assume the worst.
Half-staff is literally the flag halfway down the pole, not approximately. Two flags on the same halyard are not lowered to half. For more, read the DrillMaster Study of Half-Staff and Half-Mast here.
When is the American flag flown at Half-Staff?
For thirty days after the death of a current or former president or president-elect.
For ten days after the death of a current vice president, current or retired chief justice, or current speaker of the House of Representatives.
From the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president, or the governor of a state, territory, or possession.
On the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.
On Memorial Day until noon.
Upon presidential proclamation.
Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7).
Patriot Day (September 11).
The first Sunday in October for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day
Initially, the issue of US Navy and Coast Guard flagstaff finials can be complicated, but we will go through this systematically. A finial is the ornament or topper that is on the top of a flagstaff or mast. A flagstaff is only for static indoor display and to be carried by a color guard and a flag mast (flagpole) is a permanent structure out of doors or aboard ship.
The sea services are the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Mariners, NOAA, and Public Health Service. None of the standards in this writing are for the Marine Corps which uses only one finial but does follow much of the flag protocol.
What this Article is Not
This article is not my interpretation. It’s not opinion. Your interpretation or opinion do not matter, just like mine. Let’s get that out of the way. I go by definitions, not what I think a manual is saying. There is quite a bit of information here, you are going to need to read it a couple times and probably bookmark the page to reread it when you need the information.
MCO 5060.20, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies, (also applicable to the Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Mariners, NOAA, and Public Health*)
The long history of this manual
Starts in 1775 with von Steuben.
Takes two paths during the Civil War era through early 1900s.
Marine Corps and Navy come together with Landing Force Manual in 1921 and continued with the Landing Party Manuals through 1950.
Marine Corps League creates its own Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies manual in 1952.
NAVMC 2691 published in 1980 and 83.
Reclassified SECNAVINST 5060.22 (no copy available) in possibly 1982/1984.
Reclassified to MCO P5060.20 in 2003
In 2019, the “P” is dropped to be MCO 5060.20.
MCO 10520.3, United States Marine Corps Flag Manual
Replaced by MCO 4400.201 Vol 13 (2016), Management of Property in the Possession of the Marine Corps, Chapters 12 & 13 are a complete restating of MCO 10520.3
NTP 13(B), Flags, Pennants, and Customs (also applicable to the Coast Guard, Merchant Mariners, NOAA, and Public Health*)
US Navy Regulations Chap 12, Flags, Pennants, Honors, and Customs (also applicable to the Coast Guard, Merchant Mariners, NOAA, and Public Health*)
OPNAVINST 10520.1B CNO Policy on Flags and Streamers
*Merchant Mariners, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Public Health do not have marching programs, but the officers in each program need to be able to stand at Attention and execute facing movements at appropriate times. Each organization also follows the guidance for sea service flag protocol.
Below, my explanations appear between bracket [like this].
MCO 5060.20
MCO 5060.20, Chap 7, (2) d. When mounted on a vehicle, the national flag is called the “national standard” and the organizational flag is called the “organizational standard.” The term “standard” means the national standard only. The term “standards” means both the national standard and the organizational standard.
Fringe
Encl. 1, Chap. 7, Para. 1. p. The use of gold fringe on the U.S. Flag is expressly forbidden for Marine Corps organizations.
[This is for Marine Corps colors displays and color guards only. -DM]
Orders were issued on 2 April 1921 which directed all national colors be manufactured without the yellow fringe and without the words “U S Marine Corps” embroidered on the red stripe. This was followed by an order dated 14 March 1922, retiring from use all national colors still in use with yellow fringe or wording on the flag.
Here, the gold cords and tassels are not authorized the same as the finials
Cord and Tassels
q. The U.S. Flag, when displayed or carried on a staff (pike) is adorned with a red, white, and blue rope and tassel. The organizational colors are adorned with a scarlet and gold rope and tassel. However, once a unit has been awarded a streamer, the rope and tassel is removed from the organizational colors and a streamer attachment set added between the upper ferrule and the spearhead. Ropes and tassels are affixed to the top of the staff between the two ribs of the upper ferrule using a girth hitch knot.
MCO 10520.3
Annex B
Battle Color. See Battle Standard. [While a standard was carried by mechanized troops or mounted to the vehicles (most likely unfringed) and a color was carried by infantry troops, both names mean the same thing. -DM]
Battle Color of the Marine Corps. See Battle Standard of the Marine Corps. Battle Standard, The term “Battle Standard” refers to the distinguishing organizational flag authorized for CMC Approved command Slated Billets, bearing the title of a designated unit on the scroll.
Battle Standard of the Marine corps. A Marine Corps color, known as “The Battle Standard of the Marine Corps” and bearing the battle Streamers authorized for the Marine Corps as a whole, shall be kept at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Color. The term “color” applies to a national flag or a unit or organization distinguishing flag carried by dismounted elements. It also applies to the distinguishing flag of comparable size, normally of rayon, authorized for certain high civilian and military officials, however, the term “color” will not be used in reference to personal distinguishing flags of Marine Corps officers, Ensign. The term “ensign” refers to a flag displayed on board ships of the Navy and at Navy and Marine commands ashore.
Flag. The term “flag” is a general term and is applicable regardless of size, relative proportions, or manner of display. The fly of a flag is its length measured horizontally; the hoist of a flag is its width measured vertically.
Mast. The term “mast” as used herein applies to a fixed shaft from which a flag is displayed.
National Ensign. The term “National Ensign” refers to the national flag displayed on board ships of the Navy and at Navy and Marine commands ashore.
National Flag. The term “National Flag” may be applied to the flag of the United States regardless of size or manner of display.
Staff. The term “staff’ as used herein applies to the shaft from which a flag carried by troops is displayed.
Standard. The term “standard’ originally applied to a flag carried by mounted, mechanized, motorized, or aviation units of the Operating Forces. Modern usage refers to a flag of the type described in Chapter 3, carried by both Operating Forces and Supporting Establishment.
Fringe
Chap. 1, 3. g. The use of fringe on national colors or standards within the Marine Corps is prohibited.
Miscellaneous
Chap. 3, para 15. b. Minor repair should be accomplished at the local level to maintain each item in a ready serviceable condition acceptable by the Government. Any minor repair work that is done cannot alter specifications of the flag. Major repairs and modifications are not authorized to be accomplished at the local level.
Chap. 3, para. 18.
a. Flagstaffs. Flagstaffs will be used at all times when displaying or carrying ceremonial or organizational flags. Flagstaffs and components authorized for use within the Marine Corps follow.
(1) Flagstaff, colors and standards, 9 1 6″
Components:
Flagstaff 8′ 9 7/8″ W/2 No, 7, 3/4″ round head wood screws
[These aren’t wood screws. They are brass and there are 4, 8, or 12 of them that screw into a brass tube to keep the brass hardware attached to the staff, depending on the configuration. -DM]
Spearhead section
Connector section
Ferrule
b. Flag Cases. Flag cases will be used to cover ceremonial and organizational flags when being stored or carried on other than for ceremonial occasions.
c. Flag Slings. Flag slings will be used at all times to carry ceremonial or organizational flags during ceremonies.
Foreign National and Other Colors
Chap 4, para. 4. Carrying Flags of Foreign Nations and Non-Military Organization. Marine Corps personnel may carry flags of foreign nations in official civil ceremonies when an official of the nation concerned is present in his official capacity and is one for whom honors normally would be rendered. In this capacity the flag of the foreign nation will be carried by a separate color guard (normally three Marines). This color guard will be preceded by a Marine Corps color guard during the ceremony. In all other public events or ceremonies, Marine Corps personnel in uniform and in an official capacity are not authorized to carry flags of foreign nations, veterans groups, or other nonmilitary organizations.
[The above is about carrying colors. Foreign national, state, and territory colors can be displayed at any time that is appropriate. The restriction comes when it should be carried. -DM]
NTP 13(b)
102. DEFINITIONS
(2) Ensign – The flag designated by a country to be flown by it’s men-of-war.
[An ensign is a flag that has a header band with grommets. It is an “outside flag”. -DM]
b. The national and organizational (regimental/battalion) flags carried by dismounted organizations are called the “national color” and the “organizational color”. The singular word “color” implies the national color, while the plural word “colors” implies the national color and organizational color.
c. The national and organizational flags carried by mounted or motorized units are called the “national standard” and the “regimental/battalion standard”. The singular word “standard” implies the national standard, and the plural word “standards” implies both the national and organizational standards.
e. Colors may be carried in any formation in which two or more companies participate, and by escorts when ordered.
f. No more than one national color will be carried by a regiment, or any part thereof, when assembled as a unit.
[Emphasis mine. A color is an indoor/outdoor/parade flag, a flag used in a static display and carried by a color guard in a parade. Keep these definitions in mind to understand the next section. To give you some context regarding the descriptions. The following quote is from AR 260-10 (1944)
(10) Staff-heads of design other than eagle, acorn, gilt halberd (Navy), ball, gilt star (Navy), spear, or flat disk (Navy) are not authorized. This restricts the display for official purposes of any color, standard, flag, pennant, streamer, banner, guidon, or similar device from a flagstaff bearing a head of a design such as a State crest, regimental device, society emblem, or any design not noted above. It does not restrict the display of a State flag from a staff bearing a State device, as when national and State flags are flown from adjacent flagstaffs.
h. Flag headings.
(1) Flags displayed from a halyard and all boat and airship flags will be equipped with a canvas tabling with grommets or flag staples or both.
(2) Flags displayed from a pike, lance, flagstaff, etc., will be equipped with a tube or tunnel heading.
We now call that “tube or tunnel heading” a staff sleeve. As you can see, the definitions of flag type were and still are universal. -DM]
104. FRINGE
The Navy’s policy regarding fringe on the national ensign is as follows:
a. Fringe will not be attached to the national ensign when displayed out-of-doors.
[This sentence creates the greatest amount of problems because so many do not understand how to apply the definitions above. Again, this isn’t about how you or I “interpret” it, it’s about exactly what it says. Let’s look:
“Fringe will not be attached to the national ensign” – the national ensign is a flag with a header band and grommets in the band. Aboard ship and in harsh weather conditions, the ensign can have a pole hem with a rope and thimble attaching system. An ensign is displayed out doors only.
“when displayed out-of-doors” – Displayed means on a mast, not a color guard. A color guard carries the colors, it does not display them. See 102. DEFINITIONS, letters e. and f., above. -DM]
b. Fringe shall not be removed from any flag of historical nature or value.
[g. The use of fringe on national colors or standards within the Marine Corps is prohibited. MCO 10520.3 -DM]
105. CORD AND TASSELS
a. Only red, white, and blue cord and tassels may be attached to the flagstaff of the national ensign (see Chapter 17).
[This is an imperative, meaning that a cord and tassels will be attached and that the only cord and tassels authorized for the national is red, white, and blue. The Marine Corps used poor wording here with “ensign”. -DM]
307. NAVAL FORCES ASHORE
Of the colors carried by a Naval force on shore, only the U.S. Navy Flag and the Battalion Colors shall be dipped in rendering or acknowledging a salute.
[This means the battalion colors can be carried as the third flag in the formation. -DM]
1003. STAFF ORNAMENTS
Staff ornaments for personal flags and pennants shall be the same as that prescribed for the U.S. national ensign (see Chapter 11).
[This means when the authorization for an Admiral or dignitary is a certain finial for the personal or positional color, the national must also have the same finial. -DM]
1101. BOAT DISPLAY
a. A staff ornament shall top the flagstaff upon which the national ensign is displayed in boats of the Naval service under the following conditions:
[This section is for the staff of the American flag when it is displayed in a ship/boat. -DM]
**(1) When an officer or civil official is embarked on an official occasion or
(2) When a flag officer, unit commander, commanding officer, chief of staff, or chief staff officer, in uniform, is embarked in a boat of his command or one assigned for his personal use.
**An additional staff ornament of the same type must top the flagstaff in the bow upon which is affixed the personal flag, command pennant, or commission pennant of such officer or civil official.
b. The topping ornament shall have a highly polished brass finish and be displayed as follows:
(1) A SPREAD EAGLE – For civilian officials and flag officers whose official gun salute is 19 or more guns. This includes such individuals as the President and Vice President, Secretaries of State, Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, State Governors, and Service Chiefs. Tables of gun salutes of military officers and civil officials are contained in Chapter 10, U.S. Navy Regulations.
[19-gun salute and higher. -DM]
(2) A HALBERD – For flag officers whose official gun salute is less than 19 guns, and for civil officials whose gun salute is 11 or more but less than 19 guns. Included in this category are such individuals as the Under and Assistant Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; Naval or Military Governors; and flag officers of the Armed Forces other than those of 5-star rank or Service Chiefs.
[17-gun salute and higher. -DM]
(3) A BALL – For officers of the grade or equivalent grade of Captain in the Navy, and for such diplomatic officials as Career Ministers, Consuls, or First Secretary of an Embassy or Legation.
[15-gun salute and higher. In any display, foreign national flags are topped with a ball. -DM]
(4) A STAR – For officers of the grade or equivalent grade of Commander in the Navy.
[11-gun salute and higher. The flat truck is just the upper ferrule (ornament receiver) with the finial removed. -DM]
(5) A FLAT TRUCK – For officers below the grade or equivalent grade of Commander in the Navy, and for civil officials for whom honors are prescribed on the occasions of an official visit but are not the equivalent of those officials listed above.
[11-gun salute and higher. The flat truck is just the upper ferrule (ornament receiver) with the finial removed. -DM]
US Navy Regulations, Chapter 12, Section 8
I need to insert this here.
1275. 2. Staffs for the ensign, and for the personal flag or pennant in a boat assigned to the personal use of a flag or general officer, unit commander, chief of staffer commanding officer, or in which a civil officer is embarked, shall be fitted at the peak with devices as follows:
1275. 2. Staffs for the ensign, and for the personal flag or pennant in a boat assigned to the personal use of a flag or general officer, unit commander, chief of staffer commanding officer, or in which a civil officer is embarked, shall be fitted at the peak with devices as follows:
A spread eagle for an official or officer whose official salute is 19 or more guns.
A halberd:
(1) For a flag or general officer whose official salute is less than 19 guns.
(2) For a civil official whose official salute is 11 or more guns but less than 19 guns.
A ball:
(1) For an officer of the grade, or relative grade, of captain in the Navy.
(2) For a career minister, a counselor or first secretary of embassy or legation, or a consul.
A star for an officer of the grade, or relative grade, of commander in the Navy.
A flat truck:
(1) For an officer below the grade, or relative grade, of commander in the Navy.
(2) For a civil official not listed above, and for whom honors are prescribed for an official visit.
Back to NTP 13(B)
1102. LOCATIONS OTHER THAN IN BOATS
a. The staff ornament for the national ensign, when displayed other than in boats, shall be the battle-ax.
[Emphasis mine. This means flagstaffs in a static display or carried by a color guard are topped with the battle-ax. -DM]
b. Personal flags and command pennants shall be topped with the ornament prescribed for boat display when displayed indoors.
[Emphasis mine. This means that the finials described above are used as the finial for a flagstaff ashore. -DM]
1103. U.S. NAVY FLAG AND BATTALION COLORS
A battle-ax shall top the flagstaff on which is flown the Navy flag and battalion colors.
1104. GUIDON
The flagstaff topping ornament for the guidon shall be the spearhead.
[The flat, silver spearhead, “Army spade”, on a light ash wood guidon staff with silver metal hardware. -DM]
1723. CORD AND TASSELS
c. Cord and tassels may be used only with the personal flags of the officials and officers listed herein.
[This means a cord and tassels is not mounted on staffs for any Navy color other than what is shown in the NTP (AR 840-10, and AFI 34-1201), all are positional colors for Pentagon-level General Officers. -DM]
The Finial on Other Colors
The photo at the top of the page is of the US Coast Guard Academy color guard. Another photo is at the right.
The school’s color guard carries all the service departmental colors for some reason. They can, according to DoDI 5410.19 Vol 4:
Section 5, para. 5-1. A. (2) When a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard cannot be formed, a single Service color guard may carry each of the Military Service flags or the senior member of the senior Military Service in the color guard will carry the National Colors in accordance with the Department of the Army Training Circular 3-21.5. (Emphasis mine)
The issue comes when the departmental colors are all topped with the battle-ax finial. Now, if just the national, Navy, and Coast Guard colors were carried, for instance, the battle-ax would be authorized. However, since the Army or Marine Corps colors are carried, their presence requires the standards to match those of the senior services (read The Why of the Military Color Guard – Precedence and Command). When the Air Force, and/or Space Force color is in the mix, the finials also change, because of regs. Let’s take a look at all the applicable manuals.
Army Regulation 840-10, b. Spearhead (the spearhead is the only device used with Army flags) (see fig 8–2).
MCO 5060.20, 7-5. j. A metal spearhead screws into the top of the staff and a streamer attachment device may also be affixed to display an organization’s award streamers. (See figure 7-5.)
AFI 34-1201,
2.10.3.2. When a number of flags are displayed from staffs set in a line, all staffs will be of the same height and have the same style finials, or decorative devices, at the top of the flagpoles (Service specific guidance may differ in a joint environment).
2.34.2. Staff Ornament, Flagstaff Head or Finial. The decorative device at the top of a flagstaff is the finial. It is precedence the eagle finial be used only with the Presidential flag. All finials in a display or ceremony should be the same [emphasis mine -DM]. This does not restrict the display of a state flag from a staff bearing a state device when national and other state flags are displayed from adjacent flagstaffs; however, the Air Force does not provide such devices [neither do the other services, this means it’s a local purchase -DM]. The following finials are authorized for flags used by Air Force organizations:
2.34.2.2. Spade, silver in color (primary finial used by the Air Force).
The conclusions here for finial use for all colors displays and color guards:
The Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force are required to only use the flat, silver spade finial.
The Navy and Coast Guard (and NOAA, Merchant Mariners, & Public Health) are required to use the battle-ax finial as the standard finial unless certain requirements for a dignitary authorized to receive honors are met.
Arrival/departure ceremony afloat and ashore.
Ceremony display (e.g., back of stage).
Office display.
Deceased’s PC carried at funeral.
The finial of the senior service present, whether represented by a flag or individual, must be used.
Why the color bearers in the above photo (c. 1960s) are out of order, I’m not sure. However, I’m posting it because of the mixed finials. Most likely, the protocol of the finials was probably not considered back then.
Service Ensigns, Jacks, and Other Flags
A Naval Jack is a small flag, the size of the canton of the ensign, flown by a sailing vessel, from the jackstaff at the bow (front, ensign at the stern, rear) of the ship when anchored or in port. It serves as a symbol of a ship’s nationality and allegiance.
These flags above are never mounted on a flagstaff and not displayed ashore.
Summary
Fringe on the National is Mandatory
The Navy and Coast Guard (and NOAA, Merchant Mariners, and Public Health) must have fringe on the national in static displays and color guards.
There is no restriction on fringe except for the Marine Corps regarding the national color/standard. I’ve been wrong for years and it wasn’t until this deep dive into sea service regs, that I realized that there is a definite separation in the sea services, even though they have many similarities.
Finial use is Restricted
The standard for the Marine Corps is the spade for static display and when carried in a color guard.
The standard for the Navy and Coast Guard (and NOAA, Merchant Mariners, and Public Health) is the battle-ax for static display and when carried in a color guard.
NOAA, Merchant Mariners, and Public Health should not have color guards since the uniformed members are officers. Read why here.
At other times, finial use is situational, based on individual rank/position or the presence of a sister service.
The spade finial is required when other services are involved.
Cord and Tassels
A twisted red, white, and blue cord is required on the national for the Marine Corps.
A twisted red, white, and blue cord is required on the national for the rest of the sea services when a personal color is displayed and that PC is required to have a cord and tassels. No flag is displayed with more decoration than the national, so the R,W,&B cord must be attached to the national color.
When the Marine Corps departmental/organizational color is carried, it must have the twisted scarlet and yellow cord and tassels or service/unit battle streamers.
The gold-colored cord and tassels is not authorized in any sea service.
Only certain positional colors are authorized a cord and tassels listed in previously mentioned regs.
Flagstaffs
For the Navy, Coast Guard, and other sea-based services except for the Marine Corps, the staff is not identified for a static display. To me, this allows the brown staff that does not have the ferrules. This would be the least expensive option instead of replacing thousands of staffs throughout the Navy and Coast Guard. Keep the brown staffs, but you must replace the spread-eagle finials to match the other finials.
For a color guard, the light ash wood guidon staff/pike must be used by all sea services as is stated in MCO 5060.20.
Staffs for all sea services.
Must be light ash wood guidon flagstaffs.
Must be 9’6” long.
Navy and CG staffs should have gold-colored hardware and the battle-ax finial, but that staff type is very difficult to find. The default is the staff with silver-colored hardware and the Army spade.
Color Guard Manning and Colors Carried
Always two guards and a minimum of the US color.
The departmental/organizational is the second color to make a standard color guard. Two Marine Corps organizational colors can be carried when the commanding general is over two organizations authorized a color.
Navy units can add the battalion color (no fringe) as a third flag when the unit is authorized this color.
Foreign national colors can be carried when requirements are met.
State colors are not authorized to be carried.
We know this because the regs tell us what is authorized, not an endless list of what is not authorized, and state colors are never mentioned.
Territory colors can be carried.
The unincorporated territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and US Virgin Islands are considered to be nations under UN treaties and are afforded the same courtesies as independent nations.
These colors can be carried the same way as foreign national colors.
Color dimensions
Must be 4’4” long (the fly) x 5’6” tall (the hoist).
Use and display of colors of any other dimensions is not authorized.
Only the Army, Air Force, and Space Force are authorized to display and carry colors that are 3’x4’ on 8’ staffs.
Harnesses and Belts
Harnesses are always worn by the color bearers. The harness is never stated to be optional and shown in all photos.
The Marine Corps has complete information for Marines to wear harnesses and belts.
Harnesses for the Navy should be black and for the Coast Guard should be white. Should be made of leather or web material. This standard was set for each service by the honor guards in Washington DC.
Belts are always worn by all members of the team. Belts are never stated to be optional and shown in all photos.
Belts for the Navy and Coast Guard should be white (web or pistol belts). This standard was set for each service by the honor guards in DC.
Apparently, the Flag Code and military manuals are not enough for Americans to understand that the flag is special and needs to be treated with honor at all times.
The image at the top of the article is just meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Its from a Star Trek movie where Spock dies and is placed in a giant sunglasses case. His remains are ejected from the Enterprise after the Federation of Planets flag is removed.
Historical Reference
Pres Teddy Roosevelt early 1900s
The American flag was draped on all kinds of things, drawn up, and festooned (an item hanging between two points purely for decoration). In the photo above, you can see how the flag was drawn up/festooned for decoration. When searching online, you can find many similar photos.
A Casket
Fan Fold Half Couched CasketDraped flag on Fully Closed CasketFolded Flag in Fully Couched Casket
A casket has four sides, a coffin has six sides. Americans use caskets. The Flag Code (1947); AR 840-10, Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile and Aircraft Plates; MCO 5060.20, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies; and AFI 34-1201. Protocol, all state the American flag only drapes the casket.
(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. (4 US Code § 7)
Chapter 2, 2-4, j. (2) On a closed casket, the flag will be placed lengthwise, with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. (AR 840-10)
Chapter 13, 1. g. When the national colors is draped on the casket, it shall be placed so the stars are at the head of the casket over the left shoulder of the deceased. Nothing shall rest on top of the national colors. The colors will be removed as the casket is being lowered into the grave, and in time so the colors will not touch the ground. (MCO 5060.20)
Chapter 2, 2.10.10. On a closed casket, the flag will be placed lengthwise, with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. (AFI 34-1201)
Please note what these standards state, the flag drapes a casket. Please also recognize what they do not state, that the flag drapes anything else. I need to emphasize this because some American’s just don’t get it, they think that a flag draping something else will make that situation that much more meaningful, “honorabler”, or, my favorite, “ceremonialer”. Some will offer an excuse for just about anything as long as their feelings are involved. I call that “emotionaler”.
By the way, every American may have a flag on their casket. Who folds it is the question that must be answered. Read All About the Flag on the Casket.
A Military Transfer Case
Flag-Draped Transfer Case
A military transfer case is essentially a casket for military members who die while overseas in combat, an accident, or other reason. It is also draped by the flag and flown back to the US through Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
A Body Bag
For situations similar to what is shown immediately below, draping the bed is inappropriate. Folding the ends and sides of the flag under itself and placing it directly on the body bag so that the flag is completely inside the bed rails with no possibility of getting caught on anything or touched by hands pushing the bed is best. Read also, Handling the Flag.
In the situation shown directly above, a veteran passed away at a VA hospital in Georgia. It is definitely easier on others to see and honor a flag-draped body bag rather than see a bare body bag wheeled through the corridors. The same situation happened below, but this is 100% wrong.
Deceased Veteran Draped with US and SC Flags on top of each other
Having two flag, one on top of the other or even both beside each other, is wrong. we drape the deceased with one flag only. The next-of-kin decides if the deceased did not already leave directions on what to do. You never place multiple flags on a casket, and by association, that includes the body bag.
Please read When to Drape the Deceased for a situation where the flag is put in violation of 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag, “(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.”
WWII US Navy burial at sea in cloth body bags
During World War Two (WWII), when the US Navy had casualties aboard ship, The deceased Sailors were placed in cloth body bags and the remains stored in the ship’s cooler or freezer in the galley. At an appropriate time, a burial at sea ceremony would take place.
Part of the ceremony entailed placing the bagged remains on a board, and draping both with the flag. At the appointed time, the board would be lifted and tilted so that the feet traveled first as the remains slid into the water. The flag was secured in the hands of the pallbearers along with the board.
The Flag Code was written two years after WWII using military manuals dated from that era. Before that, there was zero guidance for the use of the flag by Americans who were not serving in the military. Military manuals had guidance, but that was for the military.
The US Navy Landing Party Manual, Chapter 3, Section VIII (1950, earliest version I have) has information on funerals, flag folding info, but nothing on a burial at sea.
A Shipping Container – NO!
Draping shipping container in Louisiana from the Advocate of Baton Rouge, LA
No! Absolutely not. The flag is not to be exposed to an industrial area.
We have covered that the casket is the only thing draped by a flag.
This is in direct violation of 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag, “(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.”
In the image above, not only is the flag being draped on a casket shipping container, but they also seem to be unaware of how the flag is supposed to be oriented. Other photos of that event show that the flag was placed upside-down, the canton on the right.
Casket in Shipping Container
The shipping container is a thick-walled cardboard top that fits into a wooden tray. The black straps are heavy nylon. Casket travel inside the cargo/luggage area of the aircraft. It is loaded last and removed first. When loaded, the container is sealed and placed into the aircraft.
When the casket is to be unloaded to change planes, pallbearers can be in place to carry the shipping container, as shown by the Airmen at left.
When the casket is to be unloaded at its final destination (casket change to connecting flights at times), the lid is supposed to be removed inside the cargo area, the flag placed onto the casket and, if available, a casket band placed around the flag so that it will not slide off at some point while it’s brought down the conveyor or lift.
A Cadaver, K9 – NO!
Draped Deceased MWD K9Veteran Body Inappropriately Draped
A cadaver is a dead body. The above photo on the right is real. That is not a mannequin, he is a veteran who passed away in 2017 and a messy story. This is unacceptable under any circumstances. Both the veteran’s remains, and flag are completely disrespected here.
The same goes for the Military Working Dog. The K9 is authorized certain honors because it is a member of the military branch and serves with rank. However, under no circumstances should a flag ever drape a dead body. It is in direct violation of 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag:
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
A Chair or Table – NO!
Absolutely not. It does not matter what the reasoning is behind the display, draping anything other than a casket, transfer case, or body bag is wrong. You do not show respect by throwing a flag over something just because.
But, to Dry a Flag
The flag does not drape a chair, table, or anything else for a memorial, funeral, or what have you. It can drape an object when you have taken it down and it’s wet. See my two photos below.
Flag Drying – SmallFlag Drying – Large
You can do this if you need to dry your flag as long as the surface will not stain the flag. On the left is the flag at my house. We have some antique school desks that my mother-in-law used when she was very young, and the flag only touches certain parts of the desks. On the right is a garrison flag at an Army-based cadet program where I worked. The cadets and I brought the flag down, folded it, brought it inside, and spread it out across a dozen small tables and chairs. The next morning it was dry so it was folded and put away to be stored until next time we would raise it.
Speaking of Drying
The flag on the right is called a color. A color is attached to a flagstaff for an indoor static display and carried by a color guard. When a color gets wet, remove it from the staff as quickly as possible and lay it flat, if possible, until it is completely dry. The flag in the photo was left on the staff, dried, and is now permanently mishappen.
Remember, the difference in most cases is between displaying and utility.
A Bar or Hanger
Airmen stretch casket band for filming flag draping video Dover AFB DE Aug 2023
Dover Air Force Base in Delaware is where all deceased military remains go when the individual was stationed or deployed overseas. What you see in the photo above is flags, received from the manufacturer, are unfolded, ironed, and draped over the bars ready to be used to drape caskets. This is not a display, it is a utilitarian method of preparation for use.
For American Regulation Drill, we must follow the standards that is outlined in TC 3-21.5, MCO 5060.20, and AFPAM 34-1203. Arm swing has changed slightly since the early days of our armed forces. Let’s take a close look and see how we actually swing our arms the same way, no matter the service.
The image at the top shows an AFJROTC drill team in motion. Their arm swing is enormous, very much out of standards.
The Arm Swing of the US Military
We Swing Our Arms the Same. All techniques described in each of the three service drill and ceremonies manuals is exactly the same, just measured differently. However, the Army could use a bit more info and to that end, I take it that the measurements are from the seam of the trouser leg to the front and rear of the hands, depending on whether the hand is to the front or rear of the individual.
In the image at the top and the two toward the bottom, you can see that I have extra measurements from the trouser seam (center of the thigh) to the front and rear of the thigh. Both measurements are approximately three inches (an average) and shows that all arm swing is the same.
Arm Swing Army
Army (TC 3-21.5)
Arm Swing Straight Forward and Back
A bit of history. The Army did not pay attention to arm swing until around 1911 when the first FM 22-5, Infantry Drill Regulations, was published. It called for 6″ to the front and 3″ to the rear, without describing how to obtain the measurement. In 1946, the Leadership, Education, and Drill edition of FM 22-5 was published, and the Army’s arm swing was still 6″ to the front and 3″ to the rear. By 1958 the first FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies, changed to 9″ to the front and 6″ to the rear and has remained the same since even with the changeover to TC 3-21.5. In 1968, FM 22-5 finally had the description of measuring from the seam of the trouser leg.
The shift from a Field Manual to a Training Circular means the information contained in the manual has no teeth. We follow manuals, directives, and Regulations. A circular means it’s just a guideline that is susceptible to variation.
Quick Time, “4-18. The arms swing in a natural motion, without exaggeration and without bending at the elbows, approximately 9 inches straight to the front and 6 inches straight to the rear of the trouser seams. Keep the fingers curled as in the Position of Attention so that the fingers just clear the trousers.” (emphasis mine)
Change Step, 4-19; “Swing arms naturally.”
Rear March, “4-20. Do not allow the arms to swing outward while turning.” This means arms swing through the move, straight forward and straight back.
Half Step, 4-22; and Mark Time, 4-23; Backward, 4-25; “The arms swing as in marching with a 30-inch step.”
Double Time, 4-26; “The arms swing naturally to the front and rear with the forearms kept horizontal.”
Arm Swing MC, N, AF, SF, CG
Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard (MCO 5060.20)
A little history. The Department of the Navy (DoN) started with the Landing Force Manual in 1920 (I don’t have an earlier edition) for drill and ceremonies. This manual was based off the Army’s Infantry Drill Regulations of 1918 to bring the Navy more in line with the Army’s revisions in that year. Guidance from that year for arm swing was “The arms swing naturally in a fore and aft direction and not across the body.” In 1950, the Navy published the Landing Party manual and measurement for arm swing appeared, “Swing the arms easily in their natural arcs about 6 inches straight to the front and 3 inches to the rear of the body.” This edition had photos of a Sailor for the facing movements.
In 1960, the Landing Party Manual was designated OPNAV P 34-03, and the photos of drill and ceremonies now had a Marine as the model. In 1980, the DoN published the first (that I know of) Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, NAVMC 2691. As far as I can tell, that is the only edition of 2691. It then switched to MCO P 5060.20 (2003), which canceled 2691, but does not identify a date. Most recent, as of this writing, is MCO 5060.20 (no more “P”, 2019). So, from 1950, the DoN and Coast Guard have marched with a 6″ and 3″ arm swing.
Encl 1, Part I, 1. 2. a. Quick Time, “Swing your arms easily in their natural arcs, six inches straight to the front and three inches to the rear. Do not exaggerate movements.”
Mark Time, “At the same time, swing your arms naturally as in marching.
Half Step, “At the same time begin swinging your arms six inches to the front and three inches to the rear.”
Back Step, “At the same time, begin to swing your arms in their natural arc, six inches to the front and three inches to the rear of your legs.” Emphasis mine. That could be interpreted as the measurement being taken from the front and rear of the leg as the AFPAM states that is described below. (emphasis mine)
Air Force and Space Force (AFPAM 34-1203)
A little History.
3.10.1. Forward March, When stepping off and while marching, use coordinated arm swing; that is, right arm forward with the left leg and left arm forward with the right leg. Cup the hands with the thumbs pointed down, hang arms straight but not stiff and swing the arms naturally. Measure the swing 6 inches to the front (measured from the rear of the hand to the front of the thigh) and 3 inches to the rear (measured from the front of the hand to the back of the thigh).” (emphasis mine)
3.10.2. Coordinated arm swing will cease as the weight of the body shifts to the leading foot when halting.
Mark Time, 3.12.1. “Normal arm swing is maintained.”
Half Step, 3.13.1. “The Airman or Guardian maintains coordinated arm swing and continues the half step until marched forward or halted.” 3.13.3. “It is executed only in quick time, and normal arm swing is maintained.”
Change Step, 3.15. “Then in one count, place the ball of the right foot alongside the heel of the left foot, suspend arm swing, and shift the weight of the body to the right foot. Step off with the left foot in a 24-inch step, resuming coordinated arm swing.”
To the Rear March, 3.16. “Then pivots on the balls of both feet, turning 180 degrees to the right, and takes a 12-inch step with the left foot in the new direction, with coordinated arm swing, before taking a full 24-inch step with the right foot. While pivoting, do not force the body up or lean forward. The pivot takes a full count, and the arm swing is suspended to the sides as the weight of the body comes forward while executing the pivot, as if at the position of attention.”
Flanks, 3.17. “Then steps off with the right (left) foot in the new direction of march with a full 24-inch step and coordinated arm swing. Arm swing is suspended to the sides as the weight of the body comes forward on the pivot foot.”
Column Movements, 4.11. For the 90-degree pivot, “suspends arm swing during the pivot.” For the 45-degree pivot, “(maintaining coordinated arm swing throughout) pivots 45 degrees to the right (left).”
Variation Not Authorized
Arm swing is to be straight forward and straight back. Many times, we don’t know how we look unless we watch ourselves in a mirror or on video. Otherwise, feedback from others is essential.
I have 30 floor stands that I use in training. I store them and then move them into my truck for transportation to each training site. At the site, the stands are taken into the facility and moved around as needed throughout the training days. At the end of the course, the stands are put in my truck, I take them home, and put them up for storage. That is quite a bit of handling and each time, a few stands lose a bit of sand. Some of the stands, these ten years after I first obtained them, are only two or so pounds when they started out with about six pounds of sand in them.
During the summer of 2024, I decided it was time for me to spend two days in the Florida heat and humidity learning how to mix up plaster of Paris and pouring it into the stands so that they wouldn’t be messy anymore.
Below is the inside of my truck bed. That is all sand from the stands.
Back of Truck with Loose Sand
What You Will Need
Let’s say you have four stands.
You will need two cartons of plaster of Paris,
A cup (I used a small flower pot) to scoop the plaster and sand,
Water (I didn’t measure my water, I worked at the mud sink in our garage),
A small container to mix a portion of the plaster, sand, and water,
A drop cloth to protect your surface,
Old clothes that you don’t mind getting messy
My estimate is that one carton of plaster can fill three stands. Since I have 30 stands, I went through two cartons (my initial experiment) and then one- and three-quarter bags.
Step 1 – Remove the cap
I used needle nose pliers to minimize damage to the caps. I tried using standard pliers with a wide nose, but the wide grip on the cap tended to rip a little bit of it.
Step 2 – Dump the Sand
I thought of leaving some sand in each stand, mixing the plaster and then possibly pouring the plaster into the stand and shaking it if necessary, but thought better of it and I’m glad I did.
Step 3 – Mix the Plaster
I initially bought two cartons like that pictured directly above. I didn’t understand the ratio between the plaster, water (it’s 1:1) and the sand. I wanted to experiment and see what worked. I quickly found out that two cartons would be finished in a matter of minutes.
My first idea, my experiment, was to mix a carton of plaster, water, and sand in a large bucket and then pour it in the stands. Don’t do this, it doesn’t work. You end up with a nicely dried chunk of plaster at the bottom of the bucket while you are trying to get the quickly drying mixture poured into your first stand. Below is the result.
I ended up breaking all this up and reusing it in the rest of the stands. I didn’t even get one stand filled, it was an incredible failure as I held the bucket, the sand drying out the mixture that was pouring like molasses in the middle of winter and steadying the stand with my other hand when I wasn’t encouraging the mixture to pour better by trying to scoop it forward.
What actually worked: about two cups of plaster, three cups of water, and three cups of sand in a small container. I used a small painter’s handheld bucket. I averaged three to four of these containers per stand.
At first, I had a fairly thick mixture and used a paint stirring stick to push it into each stand. If the mixture was more on the dry side, it would stay as a big lump just below the opening in the stand and then I could not get any more mixture in without shaking the stand to get the lump away from the opening. It was very tedious.
I then began adding too much water which was very easy to pour but took up more space that could have been used for sand. I eventually found a balance and I found it much easier to have a bit of excess water so that the mixture would be easier to pour. The stirring stick worked very well. Max, our pit that we rescued, did not let anything happen to me as I worked (photo at the top of the article.
I propped up the upside-down stand on the top of a bucket so that both of my hands were free. One held the paint bucket filled with the mixture and the other had the stirring stick to move the mixture into the stand.
Step 4 – Wash off the Stands
As you can see in the photos directly above, the stands got really messy, At left was when I started and then finally finished. I filled about three to four stands an hour.
Step 5 – Allow the mixture to Cure
Just to see what would happen, I put caps back on two of the stands overnight. In the morning, I checked, and they both had condensation. Store the stands upside-down without the caps. Because I had some drier mixture and some were very wet, I left the stands in storage upside-down and uncovered for three weeks.
Step 6 – Replace Caps
Ultimately, I’m going to glue the caps on, but for now, I want to see how the hardened mixture in the stands holds up to all the handling. Since I stored them upside-down while the plaster cured, I want to see if any will drop now that they will be placed right side up.
Thanks
I have DeVaughn Simper to thank for this tortuous feat! It was his suggestion to use plaster of Paris and I am very thankful for his wisdom and experience here.
Not long ago I received a private message, one that I have received, in essence, a few times before over the years. However, this time it was from an O-6 (Colonel/Captain). I’ve been meaning to write this article for several years now and this just seemed to be the perfect time to do it in response to the officer. Our messages are reworded for the sender’s anonymity and to ensure that this applies, as it does, to everyone.
In the image at the top of the page, an Army General has a set of colors posted behind him. The display should conform to military standards which would be 1) fringe on all colors, 2) the Space Force color should be to the left of the Coast Guard color, 2) flag spreaders are not authorized. See also POW/MIA Flag Protocol.
The protocol issues in the photo at right, 1) the gold-colored cord and tassels is not authorized on either color, 2) fringe on the national is not authorized for the Navy, 3) colors cannot be attached to anything other than the flagstaff.
The Message
My question for you is why do you publicly comment on posts without privately going to the unit first?
From your time in service, praise in public and critique in private?
Look forward to your thoughts.
What in Private?
I need to address this here before I continue with the conversation. There are a handful of people who constantly get this phrase wrong. Yes, you get it wrong. I understand that you can now look up the phrase “Praise in public…” and have a list of words that finish the statement. This is because all the “leadership gurus” have taken it to sell you on the latest and greatest twisted the words in leadership education to fit their needs and your itching ears.
Our society is increasingly weaker. Not that I am some stoic stalwart, I can see the wording we use getting softer and softer so as to not ruffle any feathers and make sure everyone is OK as they clutch their blanky.
“Critique”, criticize” and anything else other than the word “punish” has never been the second part of the phrase.
Stop taking things personally and getting upset. Get tougher, because as Rocky Balboa once said, life is going to hit you hard. Those hits are not going to stop, either. Take the punches, get back up, and move forward because you have people to lead and take care of. People who are relying on you.
On with the conversation.
Flag Protocol Issues for USAFA
The protocol issue for the massed colors formation of the US Air Force Academy is the second rank of the color guard is made up of private organization colors (Association of Graduates), called novelty flags. No one in our out of uniform while in the service, including ROTC, service academy, JROTC, Sea Cadets, Civil Air Patrol, and Young Marines cadets, is authorized to carry non-government colors/novelty flags. The only one authorized is the POW/MIA flag as the personal color for a funeral. That is the only time. Carrying a novelty flag violates DoD Instruction 5410.19 Vol 4, TC 3-21.5, MCO 5060.20, and AFI 34-1201.
The phrase is praise in public, punish in private.
Every time a post is made on social media, one like yours, others (conservatively, let’s say 2 individuals) see the flag display error(s). They don’t understand that there are errors and think it’s a great idea to display the colors like that. This assumption comes from the thought process of why would an official Navy page post images with such egregious flag protocol errors in them. So, they do something similar with their flags and post it. The process repeats again and again, and the numbers keep growing of those who see incredibly bad colors displays and think there’s nothing wrong with them. This is because no one reads. We see, we do, because that takes less time. Less time spent on issues that “don’t really matter” means time we can spend on things that actually do matter.
Critiques are educational. They may not be received well, but that’s because our ego can be bruised. The definitions that apply to my critiques:
Critique: to examine critically.
Critical: exercising or involving careful judicious evaluation.
If you only look at one of my critiques or comments and take it personally, you have completely missed the point.
During my studies, I happened to read this just this morning. 1 Timothy 5:20 NASB95, “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”
I’m not equating the errors in the photo with sin against God, sir. But the original Greek meaning of sin is “miss the mark” and the image does show a mark clearly not understood.
US Navy Flag Protocol Issues
The flag protocol issues for this display are the 1) gold-colored cord and tassels on the colors and 2) metal flagstaffs (must be light ash wood guidon staffs.
His Reply
Thanks… it would appear that we simply have different views of leadership and of what is most important. I will get with my senior enlisted and get the display taken care of.
My Reply Here
I am well aware that I will not change some hearts and minds by my style of education. I knew it was useless to write back to him after his response. I’m sure he will see this article, however, because I receive messages from all kinds of people who pass along the information I provide. Do my posts get seen by the units in question? They absolutely do.
No, you cannot merely write this off as a difference of opinion on leadership. That is a simply a dismissive way to deal with someone who calls you to task.
Terrible Flag Protocol Issues
The protocol issues here are 1) colors are not in the correct order (US, CA, MC, N, CG), 2) colors must be on staffs that are the same length, 3) finials should be the battle-ax since this is a sea service event, 4) flag spreaders are not authorized, 5) the gold-colored cord and tassels is not authorized, 6) the top of a US government color is draped only to the right.
Leadership
It has many definitions based on context with one of the most common being influencing people to accomplish a common goal. There are both negative and positive motivational factors in leadership and both need to be used at different times.
Can you honestly say that you would have given me the time of day had I written to you privately? I seriously doubt it. Sometimes we need a kick in the backside to get moving in the right direction.
Flag Protocol Issues
Protocol issues here are 1) no fringe on the national for the Navy, 2) only the red, white, and blue cord and tassels on the national, 3) flag spreaders not authorized, 4) staffs should be guidon flagstaffs, 5) finials should be silver-colored spades. Gold-colored spades are not authorized.
What is important
Everything, at a point in time. Your colors display was in front of high-ranking US and foreign military with official military photos being taken. The display was extremely important then. However, it was even more important BEFORE the conference when it was set up. It should have been set up according to military service standards. Opportunity missed.
Naval Aviation Museum Flag Protocol Issues
Protocol issues here are 1) all staffs should be guidon flagstaffs, 2) all finials should be silver-colored spades because the Army, Marine Corps, and AF colors are in place. The spread eagle is only authorized for those whose gun salute is 19 or higher.
It is Someone’s Job to Know This
I shudder to think of the amount of money we pay people to be the experts in this area—protocol—and the resources we allocate to them. The vast lack of knowledge of their jobs is illustrated in many photos I post. Many other areas in the military would not tolerate let alone condone such ignorance and incompetence.
Are lives at stake because someone screwed up a flag display? While some countries do take extreme offense at their flag being mistreated in any manner, most likely no one is going to die. Think of it this way. We enlist or commission in the military and take an oath. Part of the spirit of the oath is to follow the directives, regulations, instructions, and orders that originate in the Constitution, the basis of US law. It’s not a buffet. We don’t pick and choose which standards we follow and which ones we ignore because we don’t have time to review them, or we just can’t be bothered. We follow all of them. All of them.
Military Regulations
Need to have better and more explanative language.
Marching band and drum corps directors, color guard instructors, and flag printing companies have a very big responsibility to not violate Title 4 of the US Code, the Flag Code. In addition, they have an equal responsibility to hold foreign national, state, and all other official government flags in an equally high regard to ensure those flags are not used in a degrading manner.
While I do have an intermediate understanding of flag protocol, I am not a vexillologist like my colleague, DeVaughn Simper. DeVaughn has been instrumental in my continued education in flag protocol and collaborates with me on many articles, this being one. With that understanding comes an awareness of flags and situations that others may not have.
Anger
With the initial publishing of this article, I received some horrid, ignorant, and even moronic comments. If the only thing you are going to do is get angry with me because I’m not “staying in my lane”, you have absolutely no idea of my history and are doing nothing but making a superficial judgment. Don’t act like a coward like this individual did. There are many forms of cowardice.
National, state, territory, county, parish, and city flags.
Military departmental and organizational flags.
Positional and personal colors.
Novelty Flags
These flags do not represent a government or entity within a government. They may be adopted in some fashion to officially represent a body of (non-)government entities, usually international.
The POW/MIA flag, owned and designed by the League of Families. It represents POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam war. It’s display is authorized at any time, while carrying it is highly restricted. Congress authorized its adoption to be carried as a personal color for the funeral of a former POW/MIA only.
Any flag of a public or private organization (sports team, corporate business, Olympics, UN, NATO).
Performance Flags (Silks)
Flags used by marching band and drum corps color guards and indoor winter guards.
The recommended material for a silk is nylon or lightweight polyester. Chiffon or silk will barely last a season.
A Performance Flag History
Marching bands and drum and bugle corps have a long history of flag bearers marching with them. At first, thousands of years ago, the bands were military, and the flags were tribal and later governmental and carried in a dignified manner. That continued until the 1900s when flags with different colors were carried. The girls of the color guard usually wore an adaptation of the band’s uniform, usually a military style, and marched in strict patterns.
Movement entered the choreography in the 1930s with the Swiss art of flag swinging (Fahnenschwingen) at the college level and by 1940 the introduction of two flags for a performance began. The 1950s and 60s saw the spread of colors guards and their training with the flagstaff being manipulated in different directions, still rather strict, based on the color guard section of the Army drill and ceremonies manual, with some swinging and spinning. Dance began to be incorporated by the mostly female color guard members in the 1970s and flag design and printing took off as a business in the 1990s.
Mira Costa Marching Band Color Guard
Marching band color guards use different silks (flags) in shows and parades to convey different moods, emotions, and meanings. On the right is the Mira Costa Marching Band.
The image at the top of this article is of the Carbon High School band and color guard in Price, UT. Their color guard silks are an adaptation of the American flag violating Title 4 of the US Code, Chapter 1, Section 3. If it looks like an American flag, it IS an American flag.
The distinction of the Performance Flag must be easily recognized. As an example, the image below is of the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps from their 1992 show American Variations, an extremely patriotic show that never once comes close to an undignified use of the American flag. As you can see in the image, the silks are easily recognized as patriotic using the elements of an American flag, while at the same time being easily recognizable as very distinct from out national colors.
Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps 1992
Even if you look at the Carbon Marching Band Color Guard silks while they are held still, they still strikingly resemble the American flag and when the flags are moving, the silks are barely indistinguishable.
I talked with the Carbon High School Marching Band director who understood the issue and will take action to contact a veteran group nearest the school that will take the silks and dispose of them properly.
Foreign National Colors
Santa Clara Vanguard 2013 spinning French Flag
Above, you see a still from the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps 2013 performance, Les Miserables. In the center of the main formation toward the last 30 seconds of the show is a member of the color guard spinning a replica French flag. While it conveys an artistic message, it is wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to the French.
Having said that, it does not matter if a pole was taken to ask the French if they find it offensive to have their flag spinning on a football field. That’s not the point, the point is to have respect for all national flags and treat them with honor.
The French Flag
It is easy for Americans to see the colors red, white, and blue and not be familiar with their arrangement as a foreign national flag. Another flag that is constantly abused is the Dutch flag, the flag of the Netherlands.
The Dutch Flag
The flag of Russia is also a tricolor red, white, and blue. The shades of the blue and red colors of these flags vary.
The Russian Flag
Remember, even if you change the shades of all three colors, if it looks like the flag of Holland, France, or Russia, it is. Flags must be very distinct so as not to be confused with a country’s flag.
