Color Guard Protocol - Use of Flags

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Color Guard Protocol - Use of Flags
Color Guard Protocol - Use of Flags

General guidance regarding the use of flags at ceremonies
 
 Not all events require flags, and in some cases, flags can actually bring a sense of formality which might be counterproductive to an effort requiring an informal atmosphere.
 
 If flags are displayed, start with the U.S. flag and add additional flags as appropriate.
 
 It is appropriate to display individual flags when someone has an official part in a ceremony or protocol event. Only display the flag for the highest ranking individual taking part.
 
 It is not mandatory to retire colors just because colors have been posted. Also, it is not customary to retire colors if they were not formally posted. If the honor guard posts/retires colors they will normally supply their own flags.

Order of precedence for flags

(1) National Flags
 
    Alphabetically after the U.S. Flag

(2) State Flags
 
    In order as they entered the Union

(3) Service Flags
 
    U.S. Army

    U.S. Marine Corps

    U.S. Navy

    U.S. Air Force

    U.S. Coast Guard

(4) Organizational Flags
 
    Highest ranking to lowest ranking

    Alphabetically or numerically within equal ranks

    Host flag displayed at the center of the grouping

(5) Individual Flags
 
    President of the United States

    Vice-President of the United States

    Secretary of Defense

    Deputy Secretary of Defense

    Inspector General, Department of Defense

    Director of Defense Research and Engineering

    Assistant Secretary of Defense

Civilian Leadership of Each Branch (See #3 for appropriate order)
 
    Secretary

    Under Secretary

    Assistant Secretary

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Military Leadership of Each Branch (See #3 for appropriate order)
 
    Chief of Staff

    Vice Chief of Staff

    Generals / Admirals (highest rank to lowest rank)

Individual Flags are not used for:
 
    Personnel simply in attendance and not formally taking part in a ceremony

    Retired personnel (unless in uniform)

    Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel not filling one of the positions listed above

    Personnel selected for, but not confirmed to, one of the positions listed above

    U.S. sister service general officers when their appropriate service flag is not available. It is appropriate to ask the visiting officer to bring their personal flag with them to be used during the ceremony

    General Officer flags may not be substituted for foreign country general officers of equivalent rank. It is appropriate to ask the visiting foreign officer to bring their personal flag with them to be used during the ceremony

Religious flags are displayed in religious facilities and normally only with the U.S. flag (U.S. flag takes the position of honor).

POW/MIA Flag is displayed when appropriate and normally only with the U.S. flag (U.S. flag takes the position of honor).

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Generally speaking, the position of honor is to the U.S. flag's own right (observer's left) or center (higher than other flags).

If faced with a conflict regarding flag protocol and precedence, look for ways to deconflict the situation. If you are required to have an honor guard carrying the U.S. flag, and your ceremony is in the area of a flag pole, your audience may become confused as to which direction to face during the National Anthem. Simplify the situation by positioning the honor guard between the base flag pole and the audience.

To prevent the official party from having to put their back sides to the audience when the U.S. flag is on the stage behind them, pre-post the colors on the stage, or have the honor guard post the colors on the stage, and have the official party stand at seats in the front row of the audience during the National Anthem. Following the National Anthem, have the official party go up on the stage.

The positioning of the flag display is often times arbitrary and based primarily on the best location for the event. This could be directly behind the speaker, to the (observer's) left of the speaker, or centered together on the stage.

When positioning flags consider position of honor, traffic flow of those participating in the ceremony, obstruction of audiovisual equipment, getting flags into the background for photographs, and practicality.
 
When a U.S. flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. A torn flag may be professionally mended, but a badly worn or tattered flag should be destroyed.