Posted on Feb 28, 2014
Why Don't Some NG soldiers not salute while passing under or near the Flag?
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I have noticed that some National Guard soldiers, regardless of rank pass the flag pole and the flag up and not render a salute. How does one address this issue. Have gone to the CoC and it is not addressed. don't want to go to the CSM and go over the CoC.
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 13
Posted 10 y ago
A lot of folks on here mention that there is a difference between a "flag" and a "color", but no one actually defines what that difference is.<div><br></div><div>The difference is that a "color" has a gold fringe around the border - that's what makes it a color.</div><div><br></div><div>And that is why we don't salute - it is a "flag" atop a flag pole, not a color.</div>
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Capt Chris McVeigh
>1 y
No problem, everyone does things differently. I've learned plenty in my workings with the other services.
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LCpl Stephen Arnold
7 y
CSM Maynard, with respect, it's "THEEEEE" flag and regulation or not, I'm saluting Her. And, I taught my troops to do so as well.
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CSM Mike Maynard
7 y
LCpl Stephen Arnold - annnnnd roger, I'm sure that's not confusing for troops if every supervisor has their own pet peeves that they teach and enforce - every time a troop changes units, they have no idea what the standard is as every supervisor does whatever they want instead of just following the regulation so that everyone does the same thing.
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LCpl Stephen Arnold
7 y
CSM Mike Maynard - I tend to think troops are pretty resilient, and if saluting the flag is going to cause confusion then so be it. But, I did teach them UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do they argue with a Sergeant Major! I feel pretty certain that standard is military wide! haha. Deepest regards, Sergeant Major.
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Posted 10 y ago
Ok let me try to make this Barney proof.
When soldiers are outdoors and being passed by uncased "colors" (American flag with 1 1/2 inch gold fringe on 3 sides) they must salute.
If they are passing uncased colors they salute within 6 paces and hold for 6 paces past.
You DO NOT salute the flag on the main installation flag pole unless it is being lowered or raised.
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LTC Paul Labrador
>1 y
MAJ Ronnie Reams part of the issue is different semantics between Army and Navy. Army calls the lowering of the flag at the end of the day "Retreat". Navy calls it "Taps".
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CSM Mike Maynard
>1 y
LTC Paul Labrador - not necessarily ICW Army Flag (Organizational Color) as most Battalions are not authorized the white/blue Army Flag.
It's generally not until you get to the Bde level that the unit is authorized the Army Flag.
It's generally not until you get to the Bde level that the unit is authorized the Army Flag.
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LTC Paul Labrador
>1 y
CSM Mike Maynard, true. I should have stated "in additon to unit flags as well." You never see the National Colors paraded by themselves. Even at BN level, the Colors is always accompanied by at least the BN flag.
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