Ok, in doing some research to settle a messdeck discussion, I have come up with this question.
Flags Ashore Unit
What do you fly 24/7 and what do you take down. Yes, I am aware of the National Ensign, and doing colors @ 0800 & sunset. But, what do you do with your POW/MIA & CG Ensign? Are you doing what has always been done because thats just whats being done, or has anyone found where it states to lower your POW/MIA & CG Ensign, or leave them up?
Ok, I have searched numerous web-sites, and manuals for the CG, DOD, Navy.
BM's, QM's, OS.......and any other rate for that matter. Chime in, I am interested to hear what others are doing and why. Where did you find your information? Thanks guys & gals, I am looking forward to hearing your response!
To do it right - EVERYTHING comes down at eve colors and then back up at Morning Colors. (NE starts up first, followed by the rest in the most timely manner you can muster with you detail) If you dont have a big enough detail to do multiple flags at the same time, just make sure that the first thing up and the last thing down is the NE and it happens ON TIME.
I'll leave others to try to find you a particular cite. I am just going on my ~14 years as a QM and a few more after that as an OS.
Don't even get me started on those places that are not National Landmarks / Monuments that pervert the rules, toss up a light bulb and ignore the daily ritual of showing respect for a flag that hundreds of thousands have fought for and died for.
As per NTP13(b) (actually we follow the marine corps honors manual now, but have not found any changes) The Absentee Pennant shall fly from the outboard port yard arm from sunrise to sunset when the CO is not present (re: 72 hour rule). In addition all unit awards and POW flag shall fly from the foremost mast from sunrise to sunset. SOPA shall fly from the starbaord yard arm from sunrise to sunset. Colors shall be flown from 0800 to sunset. CG Regs: The CG ensign shall be flown from the mast at all times either inport or underway. And if the CO is a Comm. Officer, the Comm Penn. shall be flown from the pig stick so it will fly above the CG ensign. Not going to get into what shore units do because I am a sea going BM. But I am not a former QM!!!! Look at the BM3 EOCT material and it will show where to fly what/when/why. Hope this helps. Bill
Nobody else mentioned it, and maybe it's obvious, but the CG Ensign flies 24/7. Award pennants (including POW/MIA and state or any other flags)are displayed from sunrise to sunset.
Originally posted by Jason_Greene: MightyZ- Is there a reg that says that only Landmarks are allowed to do the lit flag at night substitution? As I understand, ANYONE can do that.
Read Section 804(c) ofNTP 13. If congress specifically authorized certain places to fly it 24/7, then that makes me assume that places that have not been authorized shouldn't do it. Further, NAVAL CUSTOMS are to fly the Ensign from 0800 to sunset. (Shore Forces do it differently). In my experience the folks that wanted to have it 24/7 did not desire to do that for any patriotic reason, they just didn't want to be bothered by colors twice a day.
Good info posted above about shipboard display and the CG Ensign.
