In what order should the service songs be played when performing the Armed Forces Medley?

SSG Eric Steinberger — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:07:03 -0500

At commencement, we have a procession using the "Armed Forces Medley" in cadence with the Branch flags. There has been recent discussion of the order this should be. We ask Veteran (and Active), graduates and crowd, to stand during their song and presentation of their branch flag. I cannot seem to find any official DOD, or other government agency that identifies it. I found in DoDI 5410.19-V1, September 29, 2021 an inference of ascending or descending (Army <--> Coast Guard), but is there a standard I can share with our College President? Thanks in advance.

Before anyone asks, yes we have had Coasties in attendance before. :-)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2024 11:13 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:13:31 -0500

The usual Order of Play for the Medley is the Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines then Army.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jan 23 at 2024 12:23 PM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:23:25 -0500

For DoD, normally the Armed Forces Medley is played in reverse official precedence order*, with the "place of honor" going to the last organization (Coast Guard, Space Force, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps then Army).

Approved alternate ways to play are:

● Official order of precedence of the services (i.e., Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard) [This is actually the official guidance from the Army for their "Music Performance Units"*]

● Modified to honor one of the services (they are played last in the "place of honor") - For example, if honoring the Navy, it would be - Coast Guard, Space Force, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army then Navy.
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* https://www.wabe.org/tv-episodes/nso-performs-armed-forces-medley-2023/
* AR 220-90 (Army Music) - https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/docs/AR220-90.pdf

nso-performs-armed-forces-medley-2023

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jan 23 at 2024 6:33 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:33:17 -0500

Good question. I've always heard and known it as Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard. In that order. Is there an official way or are they just preferred ways?

Response by SrA Jennifer Case made Feb 1 at 2024 12:32 PM

SrA Jennifer Case — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:32:16 -0500

As a former Air Force bandsman I have a bit of experience with this. The official word from a former Air Force DC Band commander is "The official order is: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard.
When AFBands played the service songs, we always saved the AF song for the finale!!!"

Response by SrA Jennifer Case made Feb 1 at 2024 12:32 PM

SrA Jennifer Case — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:32:57 -0500

Response by SrA Jennifer Case made Feb 1 at 2024 1:06 PM

SrA Jennifer Case — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:06:35 -0500