Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Personnel—General
Salutes,
Honors, and
Visits of
Courtesy
Headquarters
Department of the Army
Washington, DC
1 September 1983
UNCLASSIFIED
SUMMARY of CHANGE
AR 600–25
Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy
Personnel—General
Chapter 1
GENERAL, page 1
Purpose. • 1–1, page 1
Explanation of terms. • 1–2, page 1
Hand salutes and salutes with arms. • 1–3, page 1
Flags. • 1–4, page 1
Cannon salutes. • 1–5, page 1
Salute to the President’s flag. • 1–6, page 2
Salutes involving vessels. • 1–7, page 2
Saluting stations. • 1–8, page 2
Holidays. • 1–9, page 2
Foreign national anthems. • 1–10, page 3
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. • 1–11, page 3
Chapter 2
PERSONAL SALUTES AND HONORS, page 3
Table of honors. • 2–1, page 3
Reduction of frequency of ceremonial honors rendered on the occasion of official visits to field installations. • 2–2,
page 3
When and how rendered. • 2–3, page 4
*This change supersedes Immediate Action Interim Change I01, 30 July 1982.
UNCLASSIFIED
Contents—Continued
Chapter 3
CEREMONIES AND PARADES, page 5
Reveille and retreat. • 3–1, page 5
Precedence of troops at parades and reviews. • 3–2, page 6
Participation of foreign troops in parades. • 3–3, page 6
Retirement ceremonies. • 3–4, page 7
Chapter 4
COURTESY VISITS WITHIN THE ARMY, page 7
General. • 4–1, page 7
Visiting cards. • 4–2, page 7
By newly arrived officers. • 4–3, page 7
By departing officers. • 4–4, page 7
To newly arrived officers. • 4–5, page 8
On New Year’s Day. • 4–6, page 8
Chapter 5
INTER SERVICE AND MILITARY–CIVILIAN VISITS, page 8
General. • 5–1, page 8
United States Air Force. • 5–2, page 8
Between ship and shore. • 5–3, page 8
Between officers on shore. • 5–4, page 9
Change of station of a unit. • 5–5, page 9
Official visits between commanding officers and civil officials. • 5–6, page 9
Chapter 6
DEATHS AND FUNERALS, page 10
General. • 6–1, page 10
Announcement of death. • 6–2, page 10
Notice of death of President, ex–President, or President–elect. • 6–3, page 10
Notice of death of the Vice President. • 6–4, page 10
Announcement of death of certain other officials. • 6–5, page 10
Funeral of general officer. • 6–6, page 11
Remains of flag officer or general officer brought ashore. • 6–7, page 11
Funeral of civil functionary. • 6–8, page 11
National flag at half–staff. • 6–9, page 11
Military funerals. • 6–10, page 11
Mourning brassards. • 6–11, page 11
Draping of Flags. • 6–12, page 11
Funeral escorts. • 6–13, page 11
Authority. • 6–14, page 12
Policy. • 6–15, page 12
Service responsibility for burial honors. • 6–16, page 12
Burial Honors (Minimum). • 6–17, page 12
Resources for personnel participating in Burial Honors Details. • 6–18, page 13
The following funeral support data will be compiled, maintained and forwarded for each calendar year. • 6–19,
page 13
Appendixes
A. COURTESIES RENDERED BY INDIVIDUALS DURING VARIOUS CERMONIES AND PUBLIC EVENTS
(ON– AND OFF–POST), page 14
B. NATIONAL FLAG AT HALFSTAFF, page 15
1–4. Flags.
The flag of the United States, national color, and national standard are not dipped by way of salute or compliment.
(One exception to this rule is followed by Naval vessels when, upon receiving a salute of this type from a vessel
registered by a nation formally recognized by the United States, the compliment must be returned.) The organizational
color or standard will be dipped in salute in all military ceremonies while the United States National Anthem, “To the
Color, ” or a foreign national anthem is being played, and when rendering honors to the organizational commander, an
individual of higher grade including foreign dignitaries of higher grade, but in no other case. The United States Army
Flag is considered to be an organizational color and as such is also dipped while the United States National Anthem,
“To the Color, ” or a foreign national anthem is being played, and when rendering honors to the Chief of Staff of the
United States Army, his direct representative, or an individual of higher grade including a foreign dignitary of
equivalent or higher grade, but in no other case.
1–9. Holidays.
a. General. Public holidays, established by law and listed below, will be observed by the Army except when military
operations prevent. When holidays fall on a Saturday, the preceding Friday also will be considered a holiday. When
holidays fall on Sunday, the succeeding Monday also will be considered a holiday.
(1) New Year’s Day, 1 January.
(2) Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February.
(3) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.
(4) Independence Day, 4 July.
(5) Labor Day, the first Monday in September.
(6) Columbus Day, the second Monday in October.
Chapter 2
PERSONAL SALUTES AND HONORS
2–1. Table of honors.
a. Table 2–1 is a, list of persons who are entitled to honors, together with the number of guns, ruffles and flourishes,
and the prescribed music for each.
b. The music indicated in table 2–1 will follow the ruffles and flourishes without pause. Unless otherwise directed,
civilian officials of the Department of Defense and military departments receive the 32-bar medley in the trio of “The
Stars and Stripes Forever.”
c. Foreign military persons holding positions equivalent to those of Department of Defense and military department
of officials, both military and civilian, listed in table 2–1, will be rendered the honors to which the equivalent United
States official is entitled, regardless of actual military rank. All other foreign military persons will receive the honors
due their actual rank or its United States Army equivalent.
d. A designated representative of an official entitled to honors will be afforded honors based on the representative’s
rank.
2–2. Reduction of frequency of ceremonial honors rendered on the occasion of official visits to field
installations.
a. In the interest of economy and efficiency, such ceremonies as parades, guard mounts, motorcades, and other
ceremonies which involve large numbers of men and equipment will be held to an absolute minimum when officials
entitled to such honors visit military installations on field trips. In general, full honors will be reserved for statutory
Chapter 3
CEREMONIES AND PARADES
Chapter 4
COURTESY VISITS WITHIN THE ARMY
4–1. General.
a. The exchange of visits of courtesy is the primary basis for the establishment of those social contacts among
officers of the Army essential to the development of that mutual understanding, respect, confidence, and teamwork
which together with professional competence and physical ability insures adequate military leadership at all echelons.
The present size and complexity of the Army may preclude the exchange of courtesy calls in accordance with
traditional concepts. However, the established customs of the service in this respect should be adhered to by all
concerned to the extent practicable. Failure to follow these customs of officials and polite society may be prejudicial to
the best interests of the service. Commanders will adhere as closely as possible to the principles outlined in this
regulation but may exercise individual discretion as to the extent to which these principles can be observed in a given
situation. Individual officers will obtain guidance as to the commander’s wishes from the organization or installation
adjutant, the commander’s aide, or the executive officer of their agency, as applicable.
b. Visits of courtesy will be paid promptly and should be of approximately 15 minutes’ duration. They should be
made at a time presumably convenient to the officer being visited.
c. Visits of courtesy other than those made by departing officers should be returned in person within 10 days except
in the following instances:
(1) In cases where the numbers are so great that this is not possible, a general officer occupying the position of a
major general or higher may designate a staff officer to return the courtesy visit of an officer below general officer
grade.
(2) In case of sickness or other unavoidable circumstances, such visits may be omitted. In such cases the officer
should send his visiting card and a brief note expressing his regrets and the cause of his failure to pay the visit.
(3) Calls may be returned by senior officers through a mass social function.
d. Courtesy visits are not required in connection with short absences on leave or temporary duty away from a home
station.
Chapter 5
INTER SERVICE AND MILITARY–CIVILIAN VISITS
5–1. General.
The interchange of visits of courtesy among Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps officers opens the way to
official and social courtesy among the members of the several services, and furthers mutual understanding.
Chapter 6
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
6–1. General.
Action will be taken to render the honors prescribed in this chapter immediately upon receipt of official notification or
information received through radio, television, or other news media, of the death of any person entitled to such honors.
At joint installations or commands, the procedures prescribed by the responsible military commander will be executed
uniformly by all United States military units present. Changes and questions pertaining to chapter 6 should be directed
to (DAAG–PEM), WASH, DC 20314.
6–14. Authority.
Department of Defense Directive 1300.15, 12 June 1979, establishes policy to govern support for military funerals.
6–15. Policy.
It is the policy of the Department of the Army to assist in the conduct of funeral services for military personnel
(present and former) to the extent possible.
“The Government of the United States shall be under no obligation whatever during the period covered by this
invitation, except that should this invitation require your being enrouted either the noon or evening meal hour,
Government meal ticket(s) is (are) authorized for the purchase of one (two) meal(s), or if impracticable to issue or
use meal ticket(s) for this purpose, reimbursement is authorized for the cost of such meal(s) not to exceed the
value of the meal ticket(s) which otherwise would have been used.
Expenses authorized under this order are chargeable to .”
d. Veteran and patriotic organizations. Recognized veteran and patriotic organizations, such as the American Legion
and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, may obtain cartridge, caliber .30, blank M1898 (Krag), and cartridge, caliber .30,
blank M1909, for use by firing squads for funeral ceremonies and authorized ceremonials. Availability of blank
ammunition for the purpose is confined to the calibers referred to above.
6–19. The following funeral support data will be compiled, maintained and forwarded for each
calendar year.
a. Number of requests received for funeral support in each of the following categories:
(1) Active Duty
(2) Retired
(3) Reserve
(4) Veteran
b. Number of honors provided for the above categories.
c. Cost of (b) above in terms of:
(1) Man–days (including training required).
(2) Dollar costs (those impacting on installation commander’s budget).
d. Assess impact of funeral support requirements on accomplishment of installation primary mission.
e. Major Army Commanders will furnish consolidated command report to arrive HQDA (DAAG–PED) not later
than 1 February.
Table APP–A
COURTESIES RENDERED BY INDIVIDUALS
Cannon salutes
Retreat when rendered
played “To The Color” as honor to a
as prelude to or National An- When uncased Colors pass by or person
Reveille “To The Color” them when passing uncased Colors (note1) Military funerals
1. Military per- Execute Pres- Execute Pa- Same as for COLORS ARE PASSING: Execute Pres- Excute Present
sonnel in uni- ent Arms at rade Rest at reveille. Excute Present Arms at the com- ent Arms at Arms at the
form (with or the command the command mand of officer or NCO in charge. the command command of of-
without head- of officer or of officer or Command is given when Colors ap- of officer or ficer or NCO in
dress) and in- NCO in NCO in proach six paces of the flank of the NCO in charge when-
formation. charge. Exe- charge. unit and the salute is held until the charge. ever casket is
cute Order Remain at Pa- Colors are six paces past the flank Hold salute moved.
Arms at the rade Rest until of the unit at which time the com- until command
command offi- given Atten- mand Order Arms will be given. Order Arms is
cer or NCO in tion by officer PASSING THE COLORS: given by offi-
charge. or NCO in Execute orders at the command of cer or NCO in
charge. officer or NCO in charge. charge.
2. Military per- At the first At the first (Note 2) At the COLORS ARE PASSING: At the first Each time cas-
sonnel in uni- note of music, note of music, first note of When Colors are within six paces: if note of music ket is moved:
form (with or face the flag face the flag music: if out- outdoors, stand at attention. Hold or first round Outdoors,
without head- (or music if (or music if doors, render this position until Colors have pas- of salute, face render hand sa-
dress) not in- flag is not in flag is not in hand salute; if sed six paces. the ceremo- lute.
formation. view) and ren- view) and indoors, stand PASSING THE COLORS: Outdoors: nial party and Indoors,
der hand sa- stand at atten- at attention. When within six paces of the Colors, render hand stand at atten-
lute. End sa- tion. Remain Hold this post turn head in direction of Colors and salute. End tion.
lute on the at attention ion until last render hand salute until six paces salute on last
last note of until last note note of music past the Colors. note of music
music. of “To The has been or when last
Color” has played. round of sa-
been played. lute has been
fired.
3. All men (ci- At the first At the first (Note 2) At the COLORS ARE PASSING: At the first Each time cas-
vilian and mili- note of music, note of music, first note of When Colors are within six paces: if note of music, ket is moved:
tary) wearing face the flag face the flag music: If out- outdoors, stand at attention,remove or first round Outdoors:ou-
civilian clothes (or music f (or music f doors, hold headdress with right hand and hold of salute, face tdoors, stand at
(including flag is not in flag is not in headdress over left shoulder with right hand the ceremo- attention-
sports uni- view), stand at view)remove over the left over the heart; if indoors, stand at nial party, re- ,remove head-
form) with attention, re- headdress shoulder with attention. Hold this position until move head- dress with right
headdress. move head- with right hand the right hand Colors have passed six paces. dress and hand and hold
dress with and stand at over the heart; PASSING THE COLORS: stand at atten- over left shoul-
right hand and attention. if indoors, Outdoors: When within six paces of tion. Hold this der with right
hold over left Remain at at- stand at atten- colors, turn head in direction of Col- position until hand over the
shoulder with tention until tion. Hold this ors, remove headdress with right last note of heart.
right hand last note of position until hand and hold over left shoulder music or last Indoors,
over the heart. “To The last note of with the right hand over the heart. round of sa- stand at atten-
Hold this posi- Color”has music has Hold this position until six paces lute has been tion.
tion until last been played. been played. past the Colors. fired.
note of music
has been
played.
Appendix B
NATIONAL FLAG AT HALFSTAFF
Table APP–B
NATIONAL FLAG AT HALFSTAFF
Death of Location of Flag Period
President All installations, activities, and vessels of 30 days from of death during prescribed
Former President the Department of the Army in The District hours(reveille to retreat).
President–Elect of Colombia and its Territories and posses-
sions. US embassies abroad, including all
military facilities and naval vessels and sta-
tions.
Vice President All installations, activities, and vessels of 10 days from day of death during prescribed
Chief Justice or retired Chief Justice of the the Department of the Army in the District hours(reveille to retreat).
United States. of Colombia and throughout the United
Speaker of the House of Representatives States and its Territories and possessions.
General (Army four star)active and retired do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . During prescribed hours(reveille to retreat)on
day of interment.
Exception: Military installation where funeral
takes place. During prescribed hours(reveille
to retreat)from day of death until flag is
hoisted after the last salvo or volley is fired
over the grave.
US Senator All installations and activities of the Depart- Day of death and the following day during pre-
US Representative ment of the Army in the metropolitan area scribe hours(reveille to retreat).
Territorial Delegate of the District of Colombia.
Resident–Commissioner from the Com- All installations and activities of the Depart- During prescribed hours(reveille to
monwealth of Puerto Rico ment of the Army in the State. Congres- retreat)from day of death until retreat on day
sional District, Territory, or Commonwealth of interment.
of such Senator, Representative, Delegate Exception: Flag flown at palace of burial will
or Commissioner, respectively. be hoisted to the top after the last salvo or vol-
ley is fired over the grave.
Governor of a State, Territory, or posses- All installations and activities of the Depart- During prescribed hours(reveille to
sion. ment of the Army located in the State, Ter- retreat)from day of death until retreat on day
ritory, or possession of the deceased gov- of interment
ernor. Exception:Flags flown at place of burial will be
hoisted to the top after the last salvo or volley
is fired over the grave.
Other officials To be displayed in accordance with orders As directed by or at the direction of the Presi-
Former officials or instructions as may be issued by or at dent.
Foreign officials the direction of President, or in accordance
with recognized customs or practices not
inconsistent with law.
Army officer on the active or retired list and Military installations where funeral or death If interment takes place on the installation:
not covered above, takes place. During prescribed hours on day of inter-
ment(reveille to retreat)until flag hoisted to the
top after the last salvo or volley has been fired
over the grave.
If interment takes place off the installation:
During prescribed hours(reveille to
retreat)from day of death until remains are re-
moved from the installation.
Warrant Officer, Cadets of USMA or en- Military installations where funeral takes During the funeral: Flag will be hoisted to the
listed personnel inactive or retired. place. top after final volley is fired over the grave. If
the remains are not interred on the installa-
tion, flag will be hoisted to the top after the
remains been removed from the installation.
PIN: 004318–000
DATE: 11-16-00
TIME: 17:16:21
PAGES SET: 21