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Rendering respect: Pause and remember during Reveille and Retreat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Taylor Curry
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  "If you can't get them to salute when they should salute and wear the clothes you tell them to wear, how are you going to get them to die for their country?" said Gen. George C. Patton Jr.

Customs, courtesies and tradition are part of our daily lives. Giving respects to the flag and the national anthem is one of many customs of the Air Force.

During mornings, "Reveille" signals the beginning of the duty day and is played at 6:30, Monday through Friday, followed by "To the Colors". "Reveille" is a bugle call most often associated with the military and it's mainly used to wake military personnel at sunrise. The name comes from the French word for "wake up". During "Reveille", military members in uniform should stand at attention and salute on the first note of the music.

"To the Colors" is a bugle call to render honors to the nation. During "To the Colors", military members and civilians should render the same customs and courtesies as those given to playing of the national anthem.

"Retreat" signals the end of the duty day and is played at 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and followed by "The Star Spangled Banner". During "Retreat", military members in uniform should stand at attention and salute on the first note of the music.

The national anthem originated from a poem written by poet Francis Scott Key in 1814. The poem was written after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

During the national anthem, all uniformed Airmen outdoors during these times should turn towards the flag (turn towards the music if the flag is not visible) and hold a salute until the song has concluded. Motorists should come to a complete stop upon hearing the song and sit quietly until the last note of the music is played during these times.

When in civilian clothes, it is appropriate to place your right hand over your heart during the anthem.

If indoors, there is no need to stand or salute.

"This is an everyday occurrence, we should all know to automatically stop and pay respect to those who served before us," said Bo Smith-Tallan, Chief of Wing Protocol.

A reference for this information is Title 36, United States Code, Section 301 and AFI 34-1201.