I am looking for a manual or instruction for where the nation ensign is suppose to be when at half mast with a yard arm. This is for a CG units flag pole. We are currently flying ours where the top of the flag is at the yard arm. Trying to remember back to the boot camp days, I thought if you had a yard arm on the flag pole, when you are at half mast the bottom of the flag is even with the yard arm. So anyway if you know where I need to be looking to find this in writing please share! Thanks, Jim
This message has been edited. Last edited by: jdcotton,
According to COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION M5060.11B (MARINE CORPS DRILL AND CEREMONIES MANUAL) Part 1, Chapter 7, Section 7002.2 "HOISTING, LOWERING, AND FOLDING THE NATIONAL ENSIGN", page 7-7 applies to flags flown ashore reads as followed:
2. Positions of the Ensign. The ensign is flown from the peak or truck of the mast, except when directed to be flown at half-mast. The ensign at half-mast is flown, when possible, with the middle point of its hoist opposite the middle point of the mast. The middle point of a guyed mast is midway between the peak of the mast and the point of attachment of the guys. The middle point of a mast with a yardarm is midway between the peak of the mast and the yardarm. Technically, an ensign at any position other than at the peak of the mast is half-mast. Local conditions may require other positions. To half-mast the ensign, it is first hoisted to the peak and then lowered to the half-mast position.
NTP 13(B) is primarily used for CG afloat. Both are right
NTP 13(B) is primarily used for CG afloat. Both are right
You were doing really well until you said that. CH 8 of NTP 13, where these directions is titled "DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL ENSIGN AT U. S. NAVAL SHORE FACILITIES"
"Bottom of the blue field parallel with the yardarm" is great until the wind shifts.
If the wind shifts, the ensign becomes fouled against the yardarm, which looks sloppy and may damage the flag. I've always flown half-mast with the bottom of the flag just above the yardarm.
My two cents, which is actually worth less than the copper it is minted with.
