Ceremonies

• Lesson Objective
– Know the purpose and definition of ceremonies and
parades.
• Samples of Behavior
– Define ceremony and parade.
– State the purpose of ceremonies and parades.
– Identify the different types of ceremonies and parades.
– Define reveille and retreat.
– State when it is appropriate to raise and lower the flag.
 Ceremonies
OVERVIEW
• Purpose and Precedence
• Parade Ceremony
• Raising and Lowering the Flag
• Change of Command
• Colors
 Ceremonies
• Purpose and Precedence.
• Purpose and Definition of Ceremonies.
• Order of Precedence.
 Ceremonies
• Parade Ceremony
– A parade is a review with
honors.
– Suggested Checklist for
Commander of Troops.

Preparation for Parade

 Ceremonies
• Formations
• Adjutant’s Call
– The adjutant takes a
position on the final line
six paces to the right of
the first unit, faces down
line, and begins the
ceremony by
commanding the band to
sound Adjutant’s Call.
• March On
Formation of Troops for Parade.
 Ceremonies
• Guidon Bearer
• Guides Post
• Sound Off or Trooping the Lines
 Ceremonies
• Guidon Bearer
– Guidon Bearers Execute right face while the squadron is dressed.

• Guides Post
– After all elements come on line, the band stops playing, the adjutant marches at
adjutant’s cadence to a point between the commander and the front line of
commanders.

• Sound Off or Trooping the Lines

– After giving the troops parade rest, the adjutant commands SOUND OFF.
 Ceremonies
• Officers Center
• Officers Post
 Ceremonies
• Presentation of Troops
– A distinctive feature of the parade ceremony or
review is the formal presentation of the troops to
the commander of troops.
• Honors
– Special military honors are reserved for military
and national dignitaries who participate in
ceremonies.
 Ceremonies
• Inspection by a Reviewing Officer
– Upon announcement by the commander of troops that the command is
ready for inspection, the reviewing officer, accompanied by designated
members, moves forward and halts six paces in front of the commander
of troops.
– Reviewing officer may direct the staff and flag to either, remain at the
post or accompany the reviewing officer.
– Inspection in motor vehicles
– As reviewing party approaches, each squadron or group commander
brings his or her unit to attention.
 Ceremonies
• Presentation of Decorations
– Presentation of decorations and awards to military or civilian personnel.
– After command has been presented, reviewing officer instructs commander of
troops to have persons being decorated and the Colors brought forward.
– Commander of troops commands Order, ARMS.
 Ceremonies
• March in Review
– On command PASS IN REVIEW band changes direction by executing
column right, moves out on the route of march and comes to a halt.
 Ceremonies
• Commander of Troops and Staff.
– Commanders reviewing their own troops designate another
officer as commander of troops.
– Staff members do not salute with the commander when
troops are presented.
– Manner in which staff changes post.
– When staff consists of more than two members.
 Ceremonies
• Reviewing Party
 Ceremonies
• Sequence of Parade
Commands
• General’s Flag Bearer

General’s Flag at General’s Flag at

Order Present
 Ceremonies
• Relay of Commands to Troops
– If there is only one group participating in the
ceremony, the adjutant and commander of troops
give commands directly to the troops.
 Ceremonies
• Raising and Lowering the Flag
– Reveille
• Reveille is the signal for the start of the official duty
day.
• Because the time for the start of the duty day varies
between bases, the commander designates the specified
time for reveille.
• Events accompanying flag raising at the Reveille
Ceremony.
 Ceremonies
• Raising the Flag
– A detail consisting of an NCO and two Airmen
hoists flag when practical.
– Detail is formed in line with the NCO carrying the
flag in the center.
 Ceremonies
• Retreat Ceremony
– Retreat ceremony serves a twofold purpose.
• It signals the end of the official duty day.
• It serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag.
– The Ceremony may take place at the squadron
area, on the base parade ground, or in the vicinity
of the flagstaff.
• Events Accompanying Retreat Ceremony at
the Flagstaff
 Ceremonies
• Lowering the Flag
– When practical, the person lowering the flag
should be an NCO and three Airmen for the all-
purpose flag and an NCO and five Airmen for the
base flag.
 Ceremonies
• Change of Command
– Sequence of Events.
– Flag procedures for General Officers
 Ceremonies
• Formal Change of Command
– Primary purpose of change of command ceremony
is to allow subordinates to witness the formality of
command change from one officer to another.
 Ceremonies
• Colors
– Color Guard.
• Color guard consists of two NCOs and two experienced
Airmen, when practical.
• Flag bearers are unarmed.
• Senior flag bearer carries the U.S. flag.
• Junior flag bearer carries Air Force flag.
• Air Force flag is never carried without the U.S. flag.
 Ceremonies
• Manual of the Colors.
– Position of the Flags at the Order.
– Position of the Flags at the Carry.

Flags at the Order Flags at the Carry

 Ceremonies
• Manual of the Colors. (Continued)
– Position of the Flag at Parade Rest.
 Ceremonies
• Escort of the U.S. Flag.
– Escort may be executed in the following
circumstances.
• During the ceremony for a parade.
• Before the ceremony for a parade.
 Ceremonies
• Saluted by Flags

Position of Flags at the Salute

Position of Flags and Color Guard at
Eyes Right
 Ceremonies
• Courtesies to the U.S. Flag
– Small flags and flags on halfstaff are not saluted.
– Cased and folded flags are not saluted.

• Saluting When the National Anthem or to the

Colors is played.
– The U.S. Flag is symbolic of the United States and the principles for
which it stands.
– The National Anthem is a declaration of reverence and loyalty to the
United States with the flag as an emblem.
 Ceremonies
• Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
– In military formations and ceremonies, the Pledge
of Allegiance is not recited.
– When in uniform outdoors.
– When in uniform indoors.
 Ceremonies
• Army, Navy, and Air Force Gun Salutes.
• Prevention of Fainting by Persons
Participating in Ceremonies.