Observe special customs, courtesies during Reveille, Retreat, National Anthem

Published Aug. 4, 2010

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Special courtesy and conduct are required when Reveille, Retreat and the National Anthem are played.
At Keesler, the "Giant Voice" sounds Reveille in the Triangle only, 5:30 a.m. weekdays. Retreat is sounded at 5 p.m. weekdays across the base. A full retreat ceremony is held at 4:50 p.m. Wednesdays in front of the Levitow Training Support Facility.

During the playing of Reveille, Retreat and the National Anthem each day, even as a civilian or in civilian clothes, stop and face the flag or the music if walking and stop your vehicle safely if you're driving.

If you're sponsoring guests, including contractors, inform them of these requirements. .

What do I do when Reveille or Retreat is played?
Stop where you are and turn to face the flag, or if the flag isn't visible, turn in the general direction of the flag or the sound. If in uniform, stand at parade rest. If not in uniform, stop and face the flag or the music out of respect.

When do I come to attention and salute the flag?
When Retreat concludes, personnel in uniform come to attention and render a salute when the first note of the National Anthem sounds. Remain at attention saluting the flag until the National Anthem has finished playing.
If you're not in uniform, don't salute. Come to attention and place your right hand over your heart. Remove your hat with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder while your right hand is over the heart.
Service members and veterans not in uniform may render a salute during the hoisting, lowering or passing of the flag as specified in the 2008 Defense Authorization Act. Congress realized the omission of the National Anthem and added an amendment to the 2009 Defense Authorization Act to allow veterans and service members not in uniform to salute during the National Anthem if they so desire.

What if I'm wearing physical training gear?
Don't salute when in PT gear. Follow procedures for those who aren't in uniform.

What do I do if I'm driving?
Bring your moving vehicle safely to a complete stop. Turn off any music playing in the vehicle. Everyone inside the vehicle remains seated at attention.

What should I do when indoors?
Military members in uniform, while in formations, should wear appropriate headgear and render the military salute at the first note of the National Anthem and maintain that position until the last note. While not wearing headgear during an indoor ceremony, military members, whether in formation or not, should stand at attention at the first note of the National Anthem and maintain that position until the last note without rendering the military salute. An exception is military members in uniform, under arms, who should salute. Civilians stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart.

What is done during the playing of "To the Colors" and "Taps"?
During "To the Colors," render the same customs and courtesies as those given to the playing of the National Anthem. Upon hearing Taps at a military ceremony, those in uniform render a hand salute until the music is complete. Civilians remove headgear and place their hand over their heart. When in civilian clothes and outdoors, stand at attention and place your right hand (with a hat if wearing one) over your heart.

What should I do when in uniform, but not in formation?
Come to attention, face the flag and salute. At sporting events, if the flag is visible, face the flag and salute. If the flag isn't visible, face the band and salute in its direction. If the music is recorded, face the front and salute. At all other outdoor occasions, come to attention, salute and face the flag, if visible, or the music.

What do I do when I'm in civilian clothes?
Outdoors, take the same action as when in uniform, but men remove the headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart. Men without hats and women salute by standing at attention and placing the right hand over the heart. Indoors, render the civilian salute by standing at attention and placing the right hand over the heart.

This story originated with the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., with supporting information from Air Force Manual 36-2203, Air Force Pamphlet 34-1202 and Air Force Instruction 34-1201; a commentary written by Capt. Caroline Lorimer, 452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs; a June 15, 2009, Air Force Times column by Mathew Tully; and the 81st Training Wing Protocol and Legal Offices.