SUMMERY
2–1. Authorization
a. The flag of the United States is the symbol of our nation. The
union, white stars on a field of blue, is the honor point of the flag.
The union of the flag, and the flag itself when in company with
other flags, is always given the honor position; for example, the
marching right, the flag’s own right or an observer’s left facing the
flag.
b. The flag of the United States must always be of current design
as prescribed by chapters 1 title 4, United States Code (4 USC
chapter 1, The Flag). The U.S. flag will always be displayed or
carried in ceremonies when any other flags are displayed or carried.
2–2. Time and occasion for display
a. The flag of the United States will be displayed outdoors at all
Army installations.
b. Only one flag of the United States will be flown at one time at
any continental United States (CONUS) Army installation, except as
authorized by the commanding generals of major Army commands
(MACOM). Major commands may delegate this authority to major
subordinate commands. Installations which have other federal agencies
as tenants may permit those federal agencies to display the U.S.
flag on or in front of their facility.
c. The flag of the United States is the only flag that may be
flown from a flagpole over a CONUS Army installation unless an
exception is granted by TIOH, U.S. Army. However, the Minutem
a n f l a g ( A R 6 0 8 - 1 5 ) , t h e P r i s o n e r o f W a r / M i s s i n g i n A c t i o n
(POW/MIA) flag, the Retiree flag, or the Commander-in-Chief’s
Installation Excellence Award flag, when authorized, may be flown
beneath the flag of the United States without referral to TIOH for
exception. The POW/MIA flag will be flown beneath the flag of the
United States on Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May;
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence
Day, July 4; National POW/MIA Day; Veterans Day,
November 11 and on occasions when the installation is hosting
POW/MIA activities. The Retiree flag may be flown on Veterans
Day or occasions when the installation is sponsoring activities for
retirees such as open house or retiree day. Not more than one flag
will be displayed below the flag of the United States and, if displayed,
will be approximately 6 inches below the flag of the United
States.
d. The flag of the United States should be displayed with foreign
national flags at overseas installations according to applicable international
agreements.
e. The flag of the United States will be displayed daily from
reveille to retreat.
f. MACOM commanders may authorize permanent or semipermanent
(more than one week at a time) 24-hour display of the flag
provided the flag is properly illuminated with its own source of light
during hours of darkness. Major commands may delegate this authority
to major subordinate commands.
g. Local or installation commanders may authorize nighttime display
of the flag of the United States during special events or on
special occasions, provided the flag is properly illuminated.
2–3. Sizes and occasions for display
a. National flags listed below are for outdoor display.
(1) Garrison flag—20-foot hoist by 38-foot fly, of approved material.
(The post flag may be flown in lieu of the garrison flag.) The
garrison flag may be flown on the following holidays and special
occasions:
(a) New Year’s Day, 1 January.
(b) Inauguration Day, 20 January every fourth year.
(c) Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday, third Monday in January.
(d) President’s Day, third Monday in February.
(e) Easter Sunday (variable).
(f) Loyalty Day and Law Day, USA, 1 May.
(g) Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May.
(h) Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May.
(i) National Maritime Day, 22 May.
(j) Memorial Day, last Monday in May.
(k) Flag Day, 14 June.
(l) Father’s Day, third Sunday in June.
(m) Independence Day, 4 July.
(n) National Aviation Day, 19 August.
(o) Labor Day, first Monday in September.
(p) Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, 17 September.
(q) Gold Star Mother’s Day, last Sunday in September.
(r) Columbus Day, second Monday in October.
(s) Veterans Day, 11 November.
(t) Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November.
(u) Christmas Day, 25 December.
(v) Important occasions as designated by Presidential Proclamation
or Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA).
(w) Celebration of a regional nature when directed by the installation
commander.
(2) Post flag—8-foot 11 3/8-inch hoist by 17-foot fly, of approved
material. The post flag is flown daily except when the
garrison and storm flags are flown. When a garrison flag is not
available, the post flag will be flown on holidays and important
occasions.
4 AR 840–10 • 1 November 1998
(3) Field flag—6-foot 8-inch hoist by 12-foot fly, of approved
material. The field flag may be displayed from a flag pole only
when distinguished visitors are present and only with the positional
field flag.
(4) Storm flag—5-foot hoist by 9-foot 6-inch fly, of approved
material. The storm flag is flown in inclement weather.
(5) Internment flag—5-foot hoist by 9-foot 6 inch fly, of approved
material. The internment flag is authorized for deceased
military personnel and for deceased veterans. Upon application to
the nearest postmaster, the Veterans Administration will provide
flags for deceased veterans.
(6) Boat flag—3-foot hoist by 4-foot fly, of approved material.
The U.S. boat flag is displayed only with positional boat flag colors
and general officers flags.
(7) Ensign—2-foot 4 7/16-inch hoist by 4-foot 6-inch fly, of
approved material. The ensign will be displayed on vessels when
required to indicate nationality.
(8) Union jack—The union jack consists of a blue base with
white stars similar in all respects to the union of the flag of the
United States. The union jack is flown on ships at anchor or tied up
at pier. When flown with the flag of the United States, the union
jack will be the same size as the union of the national color being
flown.
Army Flags Study Guide
What is the name of the ball that sits at the top of the flagpole?
Truck
What does the Truck represent?
The shot heard round the world (fired April 17th 1775 at Lexington Massachusetts)
On post, where is building number 1 located?
At the base of the flag pole
Name the types of military flags
• Colors, standards
• Distinguished flags
• Ensigns
• Guidons
• Pennants
How is the flag flown on Memorial Day?
At half-mast till noon, then from noon until retreat sounds, it is at full staff
When the flag is flown at night, what must be done?
It must be illuminated
What date was the Army flag dedicated?
14 June 1956 (it was approved 12 June 1956)
When a President or Past President dies, how long is the flag flown at half-mast?
30 days
How is the flag draped over the casket?
So the stars are over the left shoulder
How many stripes does the American flag have?
13 stripes (7 red and 6 white)
What is the difference between the National Colors and the National Flag?
The National Colors is trimmed on 3 sides with golden yellow fringe
What do the colors on the flag represent?
• Red-Hardiness and Valor
• White-Purity and Innocence
• Blue- Vigilance, Preservation and Justice
When Military personnel die, the flag is presented to the beneficiary, who provides the flag?
The postmaster general
When the national flag is worn out, how is it disposed of?
The section of the flag with the stars is cut from the flag and then both pieces are burned together
What are the 2 ways that the flag can be displayed?
1. Flat
2. Hanging free
Who is traditionally responsible for the safeguarding, care and display of the unit's colors?
The Command Sergeant Major
How is the American flag raised to the half-staff position?
It is first raised all the way to the top of the staff for an instant, then lowered to half staff
If a flag is in the half-staff position, how is it lowered?
It is first raised to the top of the staff for a brief moment, and then it is lowered.
What is a pennant?
A triangular flag used for various military purposes
When folded, what is the shape of the American flag?
The shape like that of a cocked hat
What does the Hoist and Fly of a flag mean?
The Hoist is the width of a flag (vertical edge measured from top to bottom); the Fly is the length of the flag (horizontal edge, measured from left to right)
What Army Regulations govern the raising and the lowering of the Flag?
AR 600-25 
and
AR 840-10
What are the two bugle calls played at Retreat?
"Retreat" and "To The Color"
What does Retreat mean?
Retiring the colors from the day's activities
What are some places that the flag is flown 24 hours a day by specific legal authority as of January 1966?
• US Capitol in Washington, DC
• Fort McHenry National Monument, Flag House Square in Baltimore, MD
• Francis Scott Keys Grave
• The World War Memorial in Worcester, Massachusetts
• USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Are the colors ever dipped as a salute or compliment?
Never on land, only at sea when 2 friendly ships of war meet
Name the 3 types of flags normally flown and their sizes
1. Storm- 5ft x 9 and 1/2 ft
2. Post- 8ft 11 3/8 inches x 17 ft
3. Garrison- 20 ft x 38 ft
What are the 5 basic US flags used by the Army?
1. Garrison
2. Post
3. Field
4. Storm
5. Interment
When a new state enters the Union, when is the star added to the flag?
The following 4th of July
How long is reveille played?
20 seconds
How many National colors can be present during a review, parade, or honor guard ceremony?
1
What is the height of a flagpole?
50, 60, 75 ft
