Reveille and Retreat

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:22:58 -0500

So is it customary now to not stand at the position of attention when Retreat is being conducted? I witnessed this yesterday as my daughter & I are standing in the parking lot at the position of attention during retreat. I knew they were Soldiers and at first they did the right thing and then just kept on walking, it was like a second thought. They were already gone by the time I could go over and say anything but seriously is it not a requirement or am I just old school?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 8:25 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:25:47 -0500

You are so right I see it all the time in and out of uniform and it turns my stomach.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 28 at 2013 8:54 PM

CSM Mike Maynard — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:54:38 -0500

SSG Johnson - you're at Schofield? Are the Courtesy/Discipline Patrols still going on?

Hopefully these will help with those who don't want to render the appropriate customs and courtesies.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2013 10:40 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 22:40:09 -0500

I'm only a SPC and I have to correct soldiers all the time about that.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 29 at 2013 11:15 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 23:15:05 -0500

It is egregious that these personnel would not stand at attention for Retreat. I was at Schofield and observed good adherence to this during my time there. If personnel of any rank do not stand at attention for this, the correction should be respectfully made. If they are very junior, they may just not know better. If they are senior then shame on them. Retreat is a solemn moment for our military and should be treated with utmost respect.

Response by SSG Matthew Thomas made Dec 30 at 2013 2:40 PM

SSG Matthew Thomas — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:40:25 -0500

When I was stationed at Leighton Barracks in Germany the post would stop and render the proper courtesy. In fact we would stop our car on post and get out in order to salute. I never thought twice to run to my car or into a building. I then PCS'ed to other units and noticed more and more individuals would try to get out of it. My 1SG at the 82nd had a Violator Friday program for individuals throughout the week would have to stay late and justify why they would not adhere to the standard. Most of the time the violations were from not rendering honors.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2013 8:55 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:55:38 -0500

Does anyone have an instruction or regulation regarding Soldiers out of formation during Retreat?

For a formation, the element is at parade rest until the cannon fire or To The Colors begins; at which point you move the element to attention and present arms (Chapter 13, TC 3-21.5). That's how I react out of formation and don't want to be wrong.

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Dec 30 at 2013 11:43 PM

SSgt Robert Clark — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 23:43:18 -0500

Wow, really? This is a subject that needs to be brought up? My how things have changed in the 21 years that I've been out. This is not just an Army tradition, it is a military tradition and in the Air Force, when I was in, it was very well understood that you stand at attention when the first note of retreat plays and salute when the first note of To the Colors is played...no questions or options. And heaven help you if an NCO caught you not following tradition/protocol. Good grief, if something so simple, and sacred, is looked at so flipantly by junior ranking enlisted and NCO's are to flipping lazy to do something about it, what a sorry state of affairs the military has become.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2013 12:26 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 12:26:23 -0500

I've the same problem frequently, even at major training centers. It is almost a norm to see the 100yard dash right before the bugle call! The funny thing is that Appendix K of TC 3-21.5 states that even indoors one should stand at attention for To The Colors.

The sad part is that it is indeed a requirement! We have to uphold and keep our customs, courtesies, and traditions. There have been cases that I had to correct 1SGs on this issue while at the PX. Sometimes is just the fact that they don't know. I know ignorance is not an excuse, but we should take it into consideration when the issue arises again.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 31 at 2013 7:52 PM

CSM Mike Maynard — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 19:52:44 -0500

and here's a great tongue in check article on this very problem......

http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/12/run-for-colors/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=run-for-colors&utm_source=Duffel+Blog+Email+Newsletter&utm_campaign=322370a89e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6128900c72-322370a89e-11811849

Is Air Force Major Eric Newburgh The Fastest Man Alive?

MACDILL AFB, FL — At the edge of a grainy surveillance video taken last month of the main entrance of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Maj. Eric Newburgh is just visible, running at a s...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2013 9:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 21:10:21 -0500

No, you’re not “Old School” at all. It’s a lack of respect (or just thinking “I’ll pretend I don’t hear it”). Here at Fort Riley, the CG has imposed the Tradition be brought back where ALL personnel will render honors for the flag during Reveille and Retreat. Also, ALL gates will be closed during this time. When I did work the road as an MP, I would pull people over for not doing this. (I'd be pulled off the side of the road to render my respects; unless I was on a call) And yes, I’d piss a bunch of them off. Now that I’m retired, I’d love to be back on the road and see what happens now. But yes, make the on the spot correction. If they don’t like it. Get their company, 1SG, SQD LRD names and go from there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 5:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 17:31:46 -0400

I will say this to all of the idiots out there that run indoors when Reville and To the Colors are played...do they not realize that even though you are indoors, if you hear them, you are actually supposed to stand at parade rest and attention respectively, just not salute, when indoors? I do this all the time when I am indoors and hear them being played. I have had to correct many people and have gotten the blank stares and the WTF look all the time. Sad.