CHAPTER 10 HONORS AND CEREMONIES

CHAPTER 10 HONORS AND CEREMONIES From the days when the United States first came into being as an independent nation, tradition has played an important role in the ceremonial functions of our Navy. At first, most of the honors and ceremonies rendered by our Navy were carried over from the British Navy. Before many years, however, the U.S. Navy began changing them to conform to its own concepts. The U.S. Navy now has a very rigid set of rules that covers all phases of ceremonial functions. Of all the ratings aboard ship, Signalman is most directly concerned with rules for rendering honors and ceremonies. When the occasions for rendering them arise, there is often insufficient time to search through the regulations for needed information. That is why Signalmen must know, in advance, what, when, how, where, and by whom honors are rendered. This chapter attempts to answer some of those requirements. Additional information is contained in Flags, Pennants and Customs, NTP 13, and U.S. Navy Regulations, chapter 12. FLAG DISPLAYS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the procedures for the display of the national ensign, union jack, U.S. Navy flag, and United Nations flag. A national flag is the flag flown to represent a national government. The ensign is a flag designated by a country to be flown by its men-of-war. In the United States, the designs of the two are identical. As used in this section, national flag and ensign are synonymous. Aboard ship, however, the national flag always is referred to the rectangular blue containing the stars. NATIONAL FLAG as the ensign. The union jack is part of the United States flag There are numerous rules for displaying of the national flag, some of which are discussed in the following paragraphs. See NTP 13 for more instructions on the display of the national flag. Group The national flag must be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags or pennants of states, localities, or societies are grouped and displayed from staffs. Crossed Staff The national flag, when displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs must be on the right—the flag's own right—and its staff must be in front of the staff of the other flag. Church Services No other flag or pennant is to be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the national flag. The only exception to this rule is during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea for personnel of the Navy. Then the church or Jewish worship pennant may be flown above the national flag. The term at sea is interpreted to mean on board a ship of the U.S. Navy. Covering a Casket When the national flag is used to cover a casket, it must be so placed that the union is at the head over the left shoulder. The flag must not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. Behind a Speaker When used on a speaker's platform, the national flag, if displayed flat, is displayed above and behind the speaker. Half-Mast The national flag, if flown at half-mast, must first be hoisted to the peak. On the last note of the national anthem or "To the Colors," it is then lowered smartly to that position. Before the flag is lowered from the half-mast position, it is hoisted smartly to the peak on the first note of the music and then ceremoniously lowered. 10-1