Posted on Aug 12, 2019
When boarding a Naval ship or boat, and the ensign is not flying, do you still face where the flag would be (aft) and stand at attention?
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I'm looking for a specific reference. My buddies and I have talked about this countless times, but we have never been able to find an instruction dictating military members to face a flag pole with no national ensign and stand at attention. I know countless amount of people that do this, but I don't know why. Maybe were just used to doing it all the time it becomes second nature and we don't question it? This has been bugging me for a while, and I really need an answer. I'm all for showing respect and rendering honors to the national ensign per instruction, but do I really need to do the same to a pole?
Posted in these groups: 
Customs and Courtesies
Submarines
Naval Historical Foundation
Naval Ceremonial Honor Guard Training
Customs and Courtesies Submarines Naval Historical Foundation Naval Ceremonial Honor Guard Training
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 8
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I don't know the answer, PO2 (Join to see), but I'll bet one these men know!
MCPO Roger Collins SCPO Morris Ramsey PO3 Bob McCord PO1 H Gene Lawrence CMDCM Gene Treants LT Brad McInnis CAPT Kevin B. PO1 John Johnson
MCPO Roger Collins SCPO Morris Ramsey PO3 Bob McCord PO1 H Gene Lawrence CMDCM Gene Treants LT Brad McInnis CAPT Kevin B. PO1 John Johnson
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Yes. The ensign, then the OOD or Representative, occasionally an E-2, normally with a request to come aboard. But that’s old Navy and on subs.
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OPNAVINST 1710.7A June 2001, states "if flying." Don't know if there is a more current version.
Did find a webpage that stated to face where it would be flown if not being flown, such as after Retreat, but it appeared to be older and didn't identify the reference.
OPNAVINST 1710.7A. 1207. Salutes to the national ensign.
1. Each person in the naval service, upon coming on board a ship of the Navy, shall salute the national ensign if it is flying. He or she shall stop on reaching the upper platform of the accommodation ladder, or the shipboard end of the brow, face the national ensign, and render the
salute, after which he or she shall salute the officer of the deck. On leaving the ship, he or she shall render the salutes in inverse order. The officer of the deck shall return both salutes in each case.
Did find a webpage that stated to face where it would be flown if not being flown, such as after Retreat, but it appeared to be older and didn't identify the reference.
OPNAVINST 1710.7A. 1207. Salutes to the national ensign.
1. Each person in the naval service, upon coming on board a ship of the Navy, shall salute the national ensign if it is flying. He or she shall stop on reaching the upper platform of the accommodation ladder, or the shipboard end of the brow, face the national ensign, and render the
salute, after which he or she shall salute the officer of the deck. On leaving the ship, he or she shall render the salutes in inverse order. The officer of the deck shall return both salutes in each case.
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