Reveille, retreat important traditions: a reminder from the base command chief

  • Published
  • By 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- --  Chief Master Sgt. David Goldie, the 7th Bomb Wing command chief, reminds the base populace of the following rules of professional behavior from Section 8C of the Professional Development Guide -- Professional Behavior, Page 163:

8.5. Respect for the Flag.
The procedures to use when showing respect to the flag and the national anthem include:

8.5.1. All personnel in uniform and outdoors must face the flag and salute during the raising and lowering of the flag.

Upon the first note of the national anthem or "To the Colors," all personnel in uniform who are not in formation should stand and face the flag (or the sound of the music, if the flag is not visible) and salute. Hold the salute until the last note of the music is played.

8.5.2. All vehicles in motion should come to a stop at the first note of the music and the occupants should sit quietly until the music ends.

8.5.3. When in civilian clothes, face the flag (or the sound of the music if the flag is not visible) and stand at attention with the right hand placed over the heart.

8.5.4. If indoors during retreat or reveille, there is no need to stand or salute. However, everyone must stand during the playing of the national anthem before a showing of a movie while in the base theater. When listening to a radio or watching television, no specific action is necessary. Additionally, a folded flag is considered cased; therefore, it is not necessary to salute or continue saluting.

NOTE: Although no regulations or instructions specifically addresses what to do during the raising and lowering of the flag while physical fitness is conducted outdoors, one can infer that "uniform" includes the Air Force Physical Fitness uniform.