Section 1

History

10-1. Reviews can be traced to the Middle Ages when rulers, as a way of showing their strength, were likely to have military ceremonies. Military ceremonies and reviews are a popular tradition which carries on today in military forces around the world. 

10-2. In the American Army, reviews were originally outlined in Baron Friedrich von Steuben’s Blue Book and practiced by revolutionary Soldiers. A review consisted of four stages: a formation of troops, presentation and honors, inspection, and a march in review. Today’s reviews have incorporated three additional stages: honors to the Nation, remarks, and a conclusion. The presence of the band represents the significant role that the drum, fife, and other musical instruments have played throughout military history for signaling in camp or on the battlefield. The presence of the Colors at the center of the formation represents their presence at the forefront of the unit during the heat of battle.

10-3. At the beginning of the 17th century, armies throughout the world were adopting the regimental system. Regiments were assigned a specific Color or number for ease of identification and position on the battlefield. In battle, the Color (or flag) party marched at the front and center of its unit as a point for the unit to dress on. By leading the unit in battle, the Colors became prime targets, as victories in those days were expressed in terms of the number of enemy Colors captured; consequently, the Color party bore the brunt of the battle and suffered heavy casualties. Historically, in the American Army, the Colors have been placed in the center of the formation and have been considered part of the company on the immediate right of the Colors. This company is still called the Color unit:

• In Infantry regulations of 1812, the lineup of companies from right to left was determined by the seniority of the company commander, with the senior on the right. The manual for U.S. Infantry tactics in 1862 placed the senior commander on the right and the second senior on the left with the other eight companies in between. After they were lined up, the companies were then numbered first through tenth from right to left. In the Infantry drill regulations of 1892, companies continued to be aligned by seniority. Between 1910 and 1970, companies were designated by letters of the alphabet and lined up from right to left: headquarters company, rifle companies in alphabetical order, and then any combat support companies. The Colors, however, remained posted in the center of the formation.

• Musical elements (usually drums and fifes, and sometimes a band) were used during actual battle and marched 12 to 15 paces to the rear of the formation. By 1892, the Infantry drill regulations posted bands and field music on the right of the formation or at the head of the formation when it moved in column.

10-4. Honors appears to have originated as musical fanfare and later a gun salute was added. The combination of the two now constitute military honors:  

• The custom of announcing the arrival of royalty and heads of state with a fanfare of trumpets or drum rolls had its origin in England. It is ironic that drum Ruffles and the two-note bugle call Flourishes, used in this manner today, have all but disappeared in the British Commonwealth while the tradition is still carried on in the United States.  

• The colonists brought many of the military customs of their mother country with them when they came to America. At the time of the French-Indian Wars, Soldiers were instructed to “rest (present arms) and beat two ruffles” for the Royal Governor of Virginia. In 1776, officers of the Continental Army were advised that “the adjutant is to order a drum and fife to give two ruffles to a major general and one to a brigadier.”

• When Baron von Steuben wrote his manual of discipline, he stated that there were to be “certain ruffles” for generals. It is interesting to note that General George Washington was not accorded ruffles. Instead, his arrival was announced by a march—more than likely “Washington’s March”—that is still played today. In time, this custom was extended to include governors of sovereign states and visiting foreign dignitaries.  

• Ruffles were not considered elegant and were used exclusively by the military. In some cases they were even accorded to the officer of the day.  

• It was some time before trumpets were added to the drum rolls; it is believed they were also used during the War of 1812. Honors for dignitaries were modified to include a flourish of trumpets called the “Three Cheers.” It is likely that this particular salute evolved into the “Ruffles and Flourishes” as they are played today.

• Navy records indicate that the regulations of 1876 stipulated there would be a ruffle of drums to announce the President’s arrival but made no mention of the trumpet flourishes. A later regulation (1893) stated that the chief executive would receive four “Ruffles and Flourishes.”  

• Gun salutes may be traced back to a period when it took a long time to reload guns. By firing all its guns at once, the battery or fort was left defenseless. The number of guns fired as a salute to honor a U.S. President was not established until 1841. Before that, presidential honors included one gun for every state. It reached at least 24 guns before it was decided that any more guns would be unrealistic and the number of 21 was adopted in 1841. In 1875, the United States adopted 21 guns for the international salute and that number is currently used as honors for all dignitaries of rank equivalent to the President.