From TC 3-21.5:
For a detailed explanation of the regulations concerning the flag of the United States and other flags and Colors, see ARs 840-10 and 600-25.
A flag, as distinguished from a Color, is not saluted except during the ceremonies of raising and lowering the flag.
a. U.S. flags used by the Army are classified by size as follows:
(1) Garrison Flag. The garrison flag is 20 feet hoist by 38 feet fly of nylon wool and is displayed on holidays and important occasions.
(2) Post Flag. The post flag is 8 feet 11 3/8-inch hoist by 17 feet fly of nylon and is used for general display, and flown daily.
(3) Field Flag. The field flag is 6 feet 8 inches hoist by 12 feet fly of nylon wool and is used for display with the positional field flag.
(4) Storm Flag. The storm flag is 5 feet hoist by 9 feet 6 inches fly of nylon and is flown during inclement weather.
(5) Interment Flag. The interment flag is 5 feet hoist by 9 feet 6 inches fly of cotton bunting.
b. A Color is the U.S. flag trimmed on three sides with golden yellow fringe 2 1/2 inches wide. The Color is primarily for indoor display. U.S. Colors used by the Army are classified by size as follows:
• 4 feet, 4 inches hoist by 5 feet, 6 inches fly displayed with the U.S. Army flag, positional Colors, the Corps of Cadets Colors, 1st Battalion 3rd Infantry Colors, and the chapel flag.
• 3 feet hoist by 4 feet fly displayed with the Army field flag, distinguishing flags, organizational Colors, institutional flags, and the chapel flag.
c. Other types of military flags include:
(1) Colors. These are flags of organizations and certain civilian and military officials.
(2) Standards. Flags of mounted units were formerly called standards.
(3) Distinguished Flags. These flags identify headquarters, offices, general officers, and organizations, none of which is authorized organizational or individual Colors.
(4) Ensign. An ensign is a rectangular flag flown from aircraft, ships, and boats.
(5) Guidon. A guidon is a swallow-tailed flag carried by companies, batteries,troops, and certain detachments.
(6) Pennant. A pennant is a triangular flag used for various utility purposes.
From: AR 840–10 • 15 June 2017
Chapter 2
Flag of the United States
2–1. Authorization
a. The flag of the United States is the symbol of our nation. The union, white stars on a field of blue, is the honor point of the flag. The union of the flag and the flag itself when in company with other flags is always given the honor position; for example, the marching right, the flag's own right or an observer's left facing the flag.
b. The flag of the United States must always be of current design as prescribed by Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 (4 USC Chapter 1). The U.S. flag will always be displayed or carried in ceremonies when any other flags are displayed or carried.
2–2. Time and occasion for display
a. The flag of the United States will be displayed outdoors at all Army installations.
b. Only one flag of the United States will be flown at one time at any continental United States (CONUS) Army installation, except as authorized by the installation commander. Installations, which have other Federal agencies as tenants, may permit those Federal agencies to display the U.S. flag on or in front of their facility.
c. The flag of the United States is the only flag that may be flown from a flagpole over a CONUS Army installation unless an exception is granted as specified below. However, the Minuteman flag, the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag, the Retiree flag, the Service flag (Gold Star flag), or the Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award flag, when authorized, may be flown beneath the flag of the United States without referral for exception. The POW/MIA flag will be flown beneath the flag of the United States on Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May; Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; National POW/MIA Day; Veterans Day, November 11 and on occasions when the installation is hosting POW/MIA activities. The Retiree flag may be flown on Veterans Day or occasions when the installation is sponsoring activities for retirees such as open house or retiree day. No more than one flag will be displayed below the flag of the United States and, if displayed, will be approximately 6 inches below the flag of the United States. Commanders of ACOMs, ASCCs, and DRUs have the authority to authorize the flying of other flags (such as the POW/MIA flag) in addition to that of the flag of the United States. Overseas com-manders have this same authority subject to applicable international agreement.
d. The flag of the United States should be displayed with foreign national flags at overseas installations according to applicable international agreements.
e. The flag of the United States will be displayed daily from reveille to retreat.
f. ACOM, ASCC, and DRU commanders may authorize permanent or semi-permanent (more than 1 week at a time) 24-hour display of the flag provided the flag is properly illuminated with its own source of light during hours of darkness.
g. Local or installation commanders may authorize nighttime display of the flag of the United States during special events or on special occasions, provided the flag is properly illuminated.
2–3. Sizes and occasions for display
a. National flags listed below are for outdoor display.
(1) Garrison flag—20-foot hoist by 38-foot fly, of approved material. (The post flag may be flown in lieu of the garrison flag.) The garrison flag may be flown on the following holidays and special occasions:
(a) New Year's Day, 1 January.
(b) Inauguration Day, 20 January every fourth year.
(c) Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday, third Monday in January.
(d) President's Day, third Monday in February.
(e) Easter Sunday (variable).
(f) Loyalty Day and Law Day, USA, 1 May.
(g) Mother's Day, second Sunday in May.
(h) Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May.
(i) National Maritime Day, 22 May.
(j) Memorial Day, last Monday in May.
(k) Flag Day, 14 June.
(l) Father's Day, third Sunday in June.
(m) Independence Day, 4 July.
(n) National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 27 July.
(o) National Aviation Day, 19 August.
(p) Labor Day, first Monday in September.
(q) Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, 17 September.
(r) Gold Star Mother's Day, last Sunday in September.
(s) Columbus Day, second Monday in October.
(t) Veterans Day, 11 November.
(u) Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November.
(v) Christmas Day, 25 December.
(w) Important occasions as designated by Presidential Proclamation or HQDA.
(x) Celebration of a regional nature when directed by the installation commander.
(2) Post flag—8-foot 11 3/8-inch hoist by 17-foot fly, of approved material. The post flag is flown daily except when the garrison and storm flags are flown. When a garrison flag is not available, the post flag will be flown on holidays and important occasions.
(3) Field flag—6-foot 8-inch hoist by 12-foot fly, of approved material. The field flag may be displayed from a flag pole only when distinguished visitors are present and only with the positional field flag.
(4) Storm flag—5-foot hoist by 9-foot 6-inch fly, of approved material. The storm flag is flown in inclement weather.
(5) Internment flag—5-foot hoist by 9-foot 6-inch fly, of approved material. The internment flag is authorized for de-ceased military personnel and for deceased veterans. Upon application to the nearest postmaster, the Veterans Administra-tion will provide flags for deceased veterans.
(6) Boat flag—3-foot hoist by 4-foot fly, of approved material. The U.S. boat flag is displayed only with positional boat flag colors and general officers flags.
(7) Ensign—2-foot 4 7/16-inch hoist by 4-foot 6-inch fly, of approved material. The ensign will be displayed on vessels when required to indicate nationality.
(8) Union jack—The union jack consists of a blue base with white stars similar in all respects to the union of the flag of the United States. The union jack is flown on ships at anchor or tied up at pier. When flown with the flag of the United States, the union jack will be the same size as the union of the national color being flown.
(9) Grave decoration flag—7-inch hoist by 11-inch fly, of cotton muslin.
(10) Automobile flags—
(a) 12-inch hoist by 18-inch fly, of approved material, trimmed on three sides with fringe 1 1/2 inches wide. This flag is to be displayed with the individual automobile flag of the President and Vice President of the United States.
(b) 18-inch hoist by 26-inch fly, of approved material trimmed on three sides with fringes 1 1/2 inches wide. This flag is to be displayed on automobiles of individuals listed in table 3–1.
b. National flags listed below are for indoor display and for use in ceremonies and parades. For these purposes, the flag of the United States will be of rayon banner cloth or heavyweight nylon, trimmed on three sides with golden yellow fringe, 2 1/2 inches wide. It will be the same size or larger than other flags displayed or carried at the same time.
(1) 4-foot 4-inch hoist by 5-foot 6-inch fly. This size flag will be displayed with the U.S. Army flag, organizational flag of ACOMs, positional colors (table 3–1), the Corps of Cadets' color, the 1st Battalion, 3d Infantry color, the 4-foot 4-inch by 5-foot 6-inch chapel flag and the individual flag of a general of the Army.
(2) 3-foot hoist by 4-foot fly. This size flag will be displayed with the Army Field flag, distinguishing flags, organiza-tional colors, and institutional flags of the same size. It will also be displayed within the offices listed in c below when no other positional or organizational flags are authorized.
c. The flag of the United States is authorized for indoor display for each—
(1) Office, headquarters, and organization authorized a positional color, distinguishing flag, or organizational color.
(2) Organization of battalion size or larger, temporary or permanent, not otherwise authorized a flag of the United States.
(3) Military offices not otherwise authorized an indoor flag of the United States, for the purpose of administering oaths of office.
(4) Military courtroom.
(5) U.S. Army element of Joint commands, military groups, and missions. One flag is authorized for any one headquar-ters operating in a dual capacity.
(6) Subordinate element of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
(7) ROTC units.
(8) SES employee for permanent retention.
j. At military funerals.
(1) The internment flag covers the casket at the military funeral of any of the following:
(a) Members of the active military force.
(b) Members of the ARNG.
(c) Members of the USAR.
(d) Honorably discharged veterans.
(e) Retired military personnel.
(2) On a closed casket, the flag will be placed lengthwise, with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. When a full-couch casket is opened, the flag will be removed, folded to the triangular shape of a cocked hat and placed in the lid at the head end of the casket and just above the decedent's left shoulder. When a half-couch casket is opened, the flag will be folded on the lower half of the casket in the same relative position as when displayed full length on a closed casket. The flag will not be lowered into the grave, and it will not be allowed to touch the ground. The internment flag may be given to the next of kin at the conclusion of the internment (see figs 2–11 and 2–12).
g. Half-staff.
(1) For occasions and durations of half-staff display of the flag of the United States, see AR 600–25.
(2) When the flag of the United States is displayed at half-staff, it is first hoisted to the top of the staff for an instant, and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should again be raised to the top of the staff before it is lowered for the day.
(3) The flag is in a half-staff position when it is in any position below the top of the pole. Generally, the position of the flag is at half-staff when the middle point of the hoist of the flag is halfway between the top of the staff and the foot. In the case of a flagpole with crosstree or guy cable, the flag should be halfway between the top of the pole and the top of the crosstree or point of attachment of the guy cables (see fig 2–8).
(4) In accordance with the provisions of 4 USC 7, when the President directs that the flag be flown at half-staff at military facilities, naval vessels, and stations abroad, it will be so flown whether or not the flag of another nation is full staff alongside the U.S. flag.
h. Placed in mourning. Flags carried by troops will not be placed in mourning unless ordered by the President or the Secretary of the Army. When so ordered, a streamer of black crepe 7 feet long and 1 foot wide will be attached to the staff at the center of the streamer immediately below the spearhead of the U.S. flag and the organizational flag (see fig 2–9).
i. Lowering and folding.
(1) While the flag of the United States is being lowered from the staff and folded, no portion of it should be allowed to touch the ground. The flag should be folded in the triangular shape of a cocked hat (see fig 2–10).
(2) For the ceremonies of hoisting and lowering, see TC 3–21.5.
b. With foreign national flags. When the flag of the United States is displayed with foreign national flags, all flags will be comparable in size. The flagstaffs or flagpoles on which they are flown will be of equal height. The tops of all flags should be of equal distance from the ground.
c. From staffs.
(1) When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs radiating from a central point, and no foreign flags are involved, the flag of the United States will be in the center and at the highest point of the group (see fig 2–2 for sequence).
(2) When a number of flags are displayed from staffs set in a line, the flag of the United States will be at the right; that is, to the left of an observer facing the display (see fig 2–1). However, if no foreign national flags are involved, the flag of the United States may be placed at the center of the line providing it is displayed at a higher level (see fig 2–3).
d. With State flags. When the flag of the United States is displayed with State flags, all of the State flags will be of comparable size. They will be displayed from separate flagstaffs of equal height set on the same level.
e. Against a wall.
(1) The flag of the United States, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag (see fig 2–4).
(2) When the flag of the United States is displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union will be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is to the observer's left facing the display (see fig 2–5).
(3) When displayed on the wall of a stage, it will be placed above and behind the speaker's stand (see fig 2–6).
f. In an auditorium, meeting hall, or chapel. When the U.S. flag is displayed from a staff in an auditorium meeting hall, or chapel, whether on the same floor level or on a platform, it should be in the position of honor at the speaker's or chaplain's right facing the audience or congregation in accordance with 4 USC 7. Other flags should be placed on the left of the speaker or chaplain; that is, to the right of the audience (see figs 2–6 and 2–7).
2–4. Position and manner of display
a. Ceremonies and parades.
(1) The flag of the United States will be carried on all ceremonial occasions when two or more companies or an appropriate honor guard participates. It is always displayed in the position of honor.
(2) When the flag of the United States is carried in a procession with other flags, the place of the flag of the United States is on the marching right; or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line (see fig 2–1).
(3) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally but always aloft and free.
(4) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a vehicle, the staff of the flag will be clamped firmly to the right front fender.
2–5. Order of precedence of flags
The following is the order of precedence of flags:
a. The flag of the United States.
b. Foreign national flags. (Normally, these are displayed in alphabetical order using the English alphabet).
c. Flag of the President of the United States of America.
d. Flag of the Vice President of the United States of America.
e. State and territorial flags. Normally, State flags are displayed in order of admittance of the State to the Union. How-ever, they may also be displayed in alphabetical order using the English alphabet. Territorial flags are displayed after the State flags either in the order they were recognized by the United States or alphabetically.
f. Military organizational flags of the Services in order of precedence.
(1) United States Army.
(2) United States Marine Corps.
(3) United States Navy.
(4) United States Air Force.
(5) United States Coast Guard.
g. Military organizational and distinguishing flags within a Service by echelon. The flag for the regimental corps will have precedence immediately before the regimental proponent's command flag. The regimental corps flag will never have precedence above an ACOM flag.
h. Individual and positional flags in order of rank per table 3–1. For the purpose of order of precedence, the term “individual flags” includes the DA SES flag.
2–6. Prohibitions
The following rules will be observed:
a. No lettering or object of any kind will be placed on the flag of the United States.
b. No other flag or pennant will be placed above the flag of the United States or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag.
c. The flag of the United States, when flown at a military post or when carried by troops, will not be dipped by way of salute or compliment (AR 600–25).
d. The flag of the United States will always be displayed flat or hanging free. It will not be festooned over doorways or arches, tied in a bow knot, or fashioned into a rosette.
e. The flag will not be used to cover a speaker's stand or to drape the front of a platform. Bunting of the national colors, arranged with the blue above, white in the middle, and red below, should be used for this purpose and for general decoration.
2–7. Use and display by civilians
Use and display of the U.S. flag by civilians, civilian groups, and organizations are governed by 4 USC 7. Civilians who inquire about the display of the U.S. flag should be referred to this statute. They should also be advised to consult the Attorney General of the State in which they reside or operate for information concerning State laws that apply to the U.S. flag.
2–8. Cords and tassels
A cord 8-foot 6-inch in length with a tassel at each end is attached at the center of the cord below the finial on the staff of the U.S. flag only when it is displayed with a flag also equipped with a cord and tassel. Only 4-foot, 4-inch by 5-foot, 6-inch positional colors (chap 3, sec I) and the color of the U.S. Corps of Cadets (chap 5, sec II) are authorized a cord and tassel. The colors of the cord and tassel for the U.S. flag are red, white, and blue when displayed by the Army.
2–9. Identification bands
Organizations may requisition a silver color identification band inscribed with the official designation of the organization for placement on the flagstaff of national flags issued to Army organizations from the U.S. Army Tank -Automotive and Armaments Command, Clothing and Heraldry, Product Support Integration Directorate, 700 Robbins Avenue, P.O. Box 57997, Philadelphia, PA 19111–7997. Official designations of Army organizations are determined by the U.S. Army Cen-ter of Military History in accordance with AR 220–5.
2–10. Replacement and requisitions
See paragraph 10–4 for replacement or requisition of the flag of the United States.
2–11. Damaged U.S. national flags
Commanders are responsible for ensuring that U.S. national flags on display are presentable at all times. Periodic inspections of flags should be made. Minor repairs such as rehemming, correcting loose stitching and mending tears or rips will be made locally provided the approved design is retained in its specified proportions.
2–12. Disposition
a. Table of organization and equipment organizations. When a unit is inactivated and is immediately activated with a new designation, the U.S. flag will be retained for use by the new organization. The U.S. flag of inactivated TOE units will be forwarded with other authorized flags to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Museum Support Center-Anniston, (AAMH–MDH), Anniston Army Depot, 7 Frankford Avenue, Building 201, Anniston, AL 36201–4199 after disposition instructions are received from the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Museum Support Center (AAMH–MDC), 9955 Tracy Loop, Building. 765, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060–5579. The flag should be tagged with the organization's official designation to insure positive identification. It should be shipped in padded bags, boxed or rolled, and placed in a container. Documents forwarded with the items or tags attached should be marked “Unit Inactivated.”
b. Table of distribution and allowances units. When a table of distribution an allowances (TDA) unit is discontinued, the U.S. flag may be kept by the installation for display purposes or as a standby flag.
c. Unserviceable U.S. flags.
(1) Indoor display. Unserviceable indoor flags should be certified unserviceable by the commander, head of an office, or designated official. Authorized replacement can be obtained at https://dod.emall.dla.mil. If the unserviceable flag has historic value, a tag containing the historical information should be attached to the flag, and it should be kept as a memento of service by the unit or office to which it belongs. If there is no historic value, it should be destroyed privately, preferably by burning, shredding, or some other method that does not show irreverence or disrespect to the flag.
(2) Outdoor display. Unserviceable outdoor display flags should be destroyed privately, preferably by burning, shred-ding, or by some other method that does not show irreverence or disrespect to the flag.
Chapter 8
Flagstaffs and Flagstaff Heads (Finials)
8–1. Flagstaff
The flagstaff is the staff on which a color, distinguishing flag, or guidon is carried or displayed. Authorized flagstaff lengths for the following size flags are as follows:
a. Flagstaff of national flags are the same length as flagstaffs of accompanying flags in paragraphs 5–1b, c, and d.
b. Flagstaffs for President of the U.S. flag are 10 feet, 3 inches and 7 feet, 9 inches.
c. Flagstaffs for positional colors, distinguishing flags, and organizational colors are 9 feet, 6 inches or 8 feet. The
flagstaff for all flags in a display will be the same length.
d. Flagstaffs for general officers flags are 8 feet.
e. Flagstaffs for guidons are 8 feet.
f. Flagstaffs for markers and marking pennants are 7 feet.
g. Flagstaffs for automobile flags are of sufficient height that when mounted the lower edge of the flag will fly about one inch higher than the crest of the automobile's hood. Flagstaffs normally are mounted on the inside of the right bumper support. When this is not possible, the nearest location that does not interfere with the right headlight beam is used. These flagstaffs are not stocked by the Army and are to be improvised locally.