Reveille, retreat and taps

  • Published
  • By compiled staff reports
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  In 1812, Reveille was a drum call, but as time passed it came to mark when the flag was raised in the morning and honors paid to it. Since it is no longer only a call for soldiers to rise in the morning, it is proper for all military and civilian personnel to afford honors to the flag during these ceremonies.

When members of the Iceman Team hear Reveille every morning at 7 a.m., Retreat every evening at 5 p.m., and Taps every night at 10 p.m., they should know how and when to render the proper respect. Taps signifies lights out or to begin quiet hours, there are no formal protocol procedures required, however, during a military funeral or memorial ceremony proper protocol dictates those in military uniform render appropriate honors, indoor or outdoor until the music is complete. Civilians should remove their headgear and place their hand over their heart.

Civilians and military members in civilian clothes should place their right hand over their heart, while military members in uniform should render a salute throughout the ceremony. Vehicles in motion should stop.

Reveille -- two bugle calls and the raising of the flag in front of Amber Hall--signifies the start of the official duty day.

Retreat -- a bugle call followed by the National Anthem and the lowering of the flag--signifies the end of the official duty day.

Taps -- is played alone to honor service members who paid the ultimate price.

Flags on stationary flag staffs are only saluted during Reveille, Retreat or special ceremonies. In these cases, when outside and in uniform, face the flag (if visible) or face the music. Stand at attention and salute on the first note of the music (or if no music, when you see the flag first being raised or lowered). Drop your salute after the last note is played, or when the flag has been fully raised or lowered, depending on the ceremony (during the order of "Sound Retreat" which precedes the lowering of the flag, stand at Parade Rest).

If in a vehicle during Reveille or Retreat, pull the car to the side of the road and stop. All occupants sit quietly at attention until the last note of the music has played. When in civilian clothes and outdoors, stand at attention and place your right hand (with a hat if wearing one) over your heart.

To the Colors is not the National Anthem, it is only a bugle call and is sometimes played instead of the National Anthem, although it is not recommended as a replacement to the National Anthem. During To the Colors, military members and civilians should render the same customs and courtesies as those given to the playing of the National Anthem.

DO NOT -- take off on a dead sprint to a building 30 feet away when you hear the first notes of the bugle call in order to get out of showing the proper respect to your country and fellow service members.

Take pride in having the opportunity to pay respect to the flag and the freedoms it stands for, and take great pride in honoring those who have served before us.
(EDITORS NOTE: Information in this article was provided by Air Force Instruction 34-1201)