Saluting the flag at end of day?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 May 2014 14:56:03 -0400

I was at the AAFES gas station on post the other day fueling my vehicle when revielle came on over the speakers. Essentially your supposed to stand at the position of attention towards the post flag. But, as I was doing this I kept hearing click click and after I saluted to the colors and that ended I looked around and everyone was still going about their business even soldiers in uniform. Am I confused or does everyone else just not care?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 9 at 2014 10:47 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 09 May 2014 10:47:40 -0400

SGT Moreno, you drive on and continue doing the right thing and whenever possible EDUCATE the less-disciplined on what they SHOULD be doing during Reveille and Retreat/To The Colors....it is a damned shame that some Soldiers of all ranks do not show the proper respect that our flag is due and fail to show the discipline that was supposed to have been instilled in them when they entered into the service of our nation!

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 9 at 2014 11:56 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Fri, 09 May 2014 11:56:49 -0400

I can't top what SFC Swartz said. Keep on doing what's right

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 12:49 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 12:49:59 -0400

They are wrong. When the flag goes up/down, everyone in uniform stops and salutes. This should have been taught in basic.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 9 at 2014 1:59 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 09 May 2014 13:59:38 -0400

SGT Moreno,

Set the example and do what is right. It's a great shame that Soldiers ignore or forget military customs and courtesies. I myself, have no issue in correcting them right after that. I have heard every excuse and believe me, they try to give you one. Continue to be a leader and enforce this too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 2:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 14:26:48 -0400

SGT Moreno,
You did the right thing. I have seen this a lot during my career. Soldiers are doing this because no one has the intestinal fortitude to make on the spot corrections anymore.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 9:53 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 09:53:35 -0400

Lead by example, Sgt!

Response by SPC Richard White made Jul 30 at 2014 3:25 PM

SPC Richard White — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 15:25:24 -0400

I have been on many bases and if you didn't stop and react the way you were required to, you would get in trouble.I know things have changed over the years but that is no reason for disrespect.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 3:42 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 15:42:32 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I think the term is "retreat" vice "revielle" - but that's a minor issue cuz I've said things similar at some embarrassing times.

In my experience when retreat is sounded - all in uniform are supposed to halt, face the music, come to attention and render honors. However, there are a few practicalities that must be handled. For instance, if one is fueling, it's not always safe to stop, turn, come to attention and salute. Additionally, if one is carrying goods with both hands - maybe it's not a good idea to insist on someone dropping their groceries for a salute. In my book, common sense prevails.

With all that being said, should you observe individuals deliberately ignoring the call to observe "retreat" or colors; don't be shy...speak up. I have...even as a retiree. In one particular instance I called out several in uniform on their failure to observe colors - one of which was the base commander. You can bet I got an apology from all in that group!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 4:44 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:44:59 -0400

While patrolling Camp Pendleton back in the day, when colors was called, cars stop driving, people stop walking, even dependent kids would stop playing come to attention and wait for all clear to sound. Set the level of expectation and let/help/force people rise to it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 7:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 19:22:00 -0400

You are correct. They are wrong.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 5:14 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:14:42 -0400

You are very right SGT Meagan Moreno. People like that make my blood boil. I would even go as far as to call them on it after wards.
That ranks right up there with people who quickly run to their cars at the end of the day, or stand just inside the doorways so they don't have to stand at attention and salute.

Response by SSgt John Carroll made Sep 9 at 2014 5:49 PM

SSgt John Carroll — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:49:01 -0400

Me personally I don't mind calling people out for that, its annoying & just sad. My CIVILIAN wife even stops & pays respect for Reveille, Retreat & Taps. Personally the only time the music bothers me is Taps, that's because I've been to a few funerals of family & friends where it was played.
But sad to say you can't go around correcting people in today's military. Another SSgt in my shop did that to a reservist at Retreat & got forced by our Squadron Commander to publicly (in front of the reservist's flight) apologize to the reservist (who complained to his commander, about being corrected) because he was off duty (though still in uniform & on base) "so those rules didn't apply to him."

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 6:01 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:01:18 -0400

I tell you what, not trying to brag, but once in a while if I happen to be out and about during taps or reveille and I see a fellow sailor, including officers, not saluting, I'll have a 'professional' field day with them.

You don't know how many personnel I had to put in their places in the name of giving glory to the Old Glory.

PS: aside from God almighty, you just DONT KNOW who's watching, both when you do right and wrong, so I applaud your spirit of honor and integrity!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 6:14 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:14:04 -0400

Besides honoring the flag - you are honoring all those before you that have given the ultimate sacrifice to this great nation. It's good to hear that you did the right thing even when all those others were in the wrong.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 9 at 2014 9:49 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:49:08 -0400

Never mind what those other troops are doing SGT Private RallyPoint Member. Don't you ever change! Well Done! REPRESENT!!!

Response by LTC Paul Mullins made Sep 10 at 2014 2:53 PM

LTC Paul Mullins — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:53:02 -0400

You are very right in this! At Ft. Stewart the CG has the MPs pull into and block the major intersections and gates 2 min prior to reveille and retreat. Also, if inside the Division HQs retreat sounds, you stand and face the direction of the flag. I was flabbergasted after 28 years and never heard of anyone doing this, but there it was in the regulation that if you can hear it, you are required to stand and face the direction of the flag. Took a field artilleryman to show me since he had been looking up the number of guns in a salute while doing details.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 10:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:03:51 -0500

Just keep doing the right thing and if you need to make on the spot corrections then do that too. Especially to the young soldiers.

Response by PVT Dominique Stewart made Jan 19 at 2015 10:50 AM

PVT Dominique Stewart — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:50:51 -0500

No. You're not confused. You lead by example, and stayed true to the creed of the noncommissioned officer. Excellent jib, SGT. I say hooah

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 19 at 2015 10:54 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:54:28 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, A bit confused because you have "end of day" in the title and "retreat" in the body since they are two different times of day. If it was reveille (morning) and you were on an AF Base, you were actually wrong. AF Rules only require the Position of Attention and Saluting when the flag is in motion. Most AF bases fly the Flag 24 hrs a day. Retreat (afternoon) always requires you to salute when the National Anthem is played (not the sounding of retreat).

Now having grown up on Navy and Marine bases and spent 8 years co-located with an Army base, the rules vary a bit by service. I know at least one Army base that actually required individuals to get out of their car and salute for retreat.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 11:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:15:31 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, you were right, thank you and keep demonstrating what right looks like.
The only reason I would give someone an excuse to not render proper honors when filling their vehicle with gas was if there was an emergency with the fueling!

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Nov 22 at 2017 9:05 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 21:05:26 -0500

I was coming out of the bowling alley and I heard a bugle. I stood a moment and listened, it was Chow Call, I hadn't heard that for 50 years but I remembered it. I should get a prize

Response by CPO Mark Robinson made Nov 22 at 2017 10:45 PM

CPO Mark Robinson — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 22:45:50 -0500

Just last week in the commissary parking lot I just opened my car door when the whistle blew. I just about ducked inside when I stopped and stood proud mostly because of whats going on with the NFL. Anyway a guy driving by stopped and got out and stood at attention. Can't remember the last time I seen that.

Response by SGT Robert Eddy made Jan 26 at 2020 8:14 AM

SGT Robert Eddy — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 08:14:13 -0500

I believe SGT Moreno was correct.