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Flags of the United States Armed Forces

August 21, 2023

The several branches of the United States Armed Forces are represented by flags. Within the U.S. military, various flags fly on various occasions, and on various ships, bases, camps, and military academies.

The U.S. Joint Service Color Guard on parade at Fort Myer, Virginia in October 2001. This joint color guard shows the organizational colors of each branch (left to right): National, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

In general, the order of precedence (from viewer's left to right) when displaying flags together in a military context is to display the U.S. national flag (also known as the "colors" or "national colors"), followed by the flags of the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Coast Guard.[1][2][3] If the U.S. Coast Guard is transferred to the Department of the Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard flag would precede the U.S. Air Force flag.[4][5]

Service flags

Maritime flags

Many maritime flags have been used in the United States.

All maritime vessels and naval warships belonging to the United States (with a few exceptions such as U.S. Coast Guard vessels) fly the ensign of the United States, which is identical to the national flag of the United States (though originally was a design similar to the Grand Union Flag). All documented U.S. vessels, and all U.S. vessels in international or foreign waters, are required to display this ensign between 08:00 and sunset. Conversely, vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard display a unique ensign as a demonstration of its authority to stop, board, search, and conduct arrests and seizures aboard vessels subject to United States jurisdiction. Historically, the ensign displayed has changed as the flag of the United States has changed. Similarly, vessels of the Continental Navy flew many varied ensigns due to a vague standard set by the Continental Congress, the arrangement of stars and pattern of stripes being left to the commander's interpretations.[6]

Vessels of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration display the jack of the United States from the jackstaff.[7] Originally the First Navy Jack was displayed, a design containing the thirteen red and white stripes; while some maintain that it was superimposed by an uncoiled rattlesnake and the motto "Dont tread on me" [sic], reminiscent of the Gadsden flag. It was later changed to a blue canton with white stars, the "Union Jack", and updated as each state entered the Union. However, all warships were directed to fly the First Navy Jack, including the disputed rattlesnake and motto, since the duration of the War on Terror in 2002.[8] On February 21, 2019, the Chief of Naval Operations directed that U.S. Navy warships fly the U.S. jack again beginning on June 4, 2019.[9][10][11]

A Commissioning or Masthead pennant is flown from the masthead and represents the commission of the captain of the ship (and thus of the ship itself). Additionally, a Church pennant may be flown during religious services. This pennant, white with a blue cross (or blue tablets and Star of David for Jewish services), is the only flag authorized to be flown above the national ensign, and only when at sea. In addition, hospital ships display the Red Cross.

Ships and units ashore may also fly burgees displaying unit citations. Flags can also be used for signaling.

    Personal flags

    Officers with certain offices or billets, as well as all generals and admirals, have a personal flag assigned to represent their authority and/or command,[12] thus they are often referred to as "flag officers". Ashore, the flags are usually displayed within the owner's office or raised on a secondary flagstaff near the unit colors, while if the officer embarked they are flown aboard ship according to rank. The appearance consists of a number of stars equal to the officer's rank insignia, the colors determined by service: red with white stars for the Army and Marine Corps, blue with white stars for Naval commanders and Air Force. Certain staff and non-line officers have unique colors: white with blue stars for non-command Navy admirals,[13] while Army chaplains and medical generals use ecclesiastical purple and maroon backgrounds, respectively.[14]

    Unique flags are given to the President[15] (due to his position as Commander-in-Chief[16]), Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretaries of Defense, and Assistant Secretaries of Defense,[17] each of the Secretaries of the Military Departments (Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Air Force), Under Secretaries of the Military Departments (Under Secretary of the Army, Under Secretary of the Navy, Under Secretary of the Air Force), and Assistant Secretaries of the Military Departments (Assistant Secretary of the Army, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the chief of the Military Services (Chief of Staff of the Army, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations, and Commandant of the Coast Guard). An admiral, acting commodore, or Convoy Commodore aboard a ship each may fly a flag from their flagship.

    In addition, the Navy will display the flag of the Secretary of State when the secretary is embarked as the representative of the United States. Other diplomatic personnel are also afforded a consular flag when embarked. The Coast Guard, being part of the Department of Homeland Security, will utilize the Secretary's flag much like the Navy will utilize the SecDef's.

    Others

    Many other flags are traditionally associated with the military.

    American Revolution

    Not having made an official design until 1777, numerous distinct flags were carried into battle by American forces. Even after, the vague wording of the Flag Resolution of 1777 led to many designs.

    Others

    See also

    References

    1. ^ Duncan Jr., Charles W. (October 31, 1977). "DoD Directive 1005.8". Deputy Secretary of Defense. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    2. ^ Terrel, Captain. . veteransinfo.net. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    3. ^ www.whitehouse.gov
    4. ^ Wyatt, Rick (2008-04-26). "Order When Displayed". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    5. ^ Frequently Asked Questions Page 2006-05-03 at the Wayback Machine
    6. ^ American Naval Flags of the Revolutionary War
    7. ^ Wyatt, Rick (2004-07-10). "Naval Jack (U.S.)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    8. ^ Civitillo, Susan (2002-09-09). . United States Navy. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    9. ^ Affairs, This story was written by Chief of Naval Operations Public. "Navy Returns to Flying Union Jack". www.Navy.mil. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
    10. ^ "The Colors of a Navy and Nation". The Sextant.
    11. ^ [1][dead link]
    12. ^ Wyatt, Rick (2004-07-10). "Military Rank Flags (U.S.)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    13. ^ Gregg, Thomas M. (July 28, 2010). "United States Navy: Current Position & Rank Flags". Archive of the Colors. War Flags. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
    14. ^ Gregg, Thomas M. (July 28, 2010). "United States Army: General Officers' Rank Flags". Archive of the Colors. War Flags. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
    15. ^ Wyatt, Rick (2006-01-21). "President (U.S.)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
    16. ^ History of the President's Flag 2014-09-11 at the Wayback Machine Seaflags
    17. ^ US DOD Positional Colors

    External links

     
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military flags of the United States.

    August 21, 2023
    flags, united, states, armed, forces, several, branches, united, states, armed, forces, represented, flags, within, military, various, flags, various, occasions, various, ships, bases, camps, military, academies, joint, service, color, guard, parade, fort, mye. The several branches of the United States Armed Forces are represented by flags Within the U S military various flags fly on various occasions and on various ships bases camps and military academies The U S Joint Service Color Guard on parade at Fort Myer Virginia in October 2001 This joint color guard shows the organizational colors of each branch left to right National U S Army U S Marine Corps U S Navy U S Air Force and the U S Coast Guard In general the order of precedence from viewer s left to right when displaying flags together in a military context is to display the U S national flag also known as the colors or national colors followed by the flags of the U S Army U S Marine Corps U S Navy U S Air Force U S Space Force and U S Coast Guard 1 2 3 If the U S Coast Guard is transferred to the Department of the Navy the U S Coast Guard flag would precede the U S Air Force flag 4 5 Contents 1 Service flags 2 Maritime flags 3 Personal flags 4 Others 4 1 American Revolution 4 2 Others 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksService flags Edit Flag of the U S Army Flag of the U S Marine Corps Flag of the U S Navy Flag of the U S Air Force Flag of the U S Space Force Flag of the U S Coast GuardMaritime flags EditMany maritime flags have been used in the United States All maritime vessels and naval warships belonging to the United States with a few exceptions such as U S Coast Guard vessels fly the ensign of the United States which is identical to the national flag of the United States though originally was a design similar to the Grand Union Flag All documented U S vessels and all U S vessels in international or foreign waters are required to display this ensign between 08 00 and sunset Conversely vessels of the U S Coast Guard display a unique ensign as a demonstration of its authority to stop board search and conduct arrests and seizures aboard vessels subject to United States jurisdiction Historically the ensign displayed has changed as the flag of the United States has changed Similarly vessels of the Continental Navy flew many varied ensigns due to a vague standard set by the Continental Congress the arrangement of stars and pattern of stripes being left to the commander s interpretations 6 Vessels of the U S Navy Coast Guard Military Sealift Command and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration display the jack of the United States from the jackstaff 7 Originally the First Navy Jack was displayed a design containing the thirteen red and white stripes while some maintain that it was superimposed by an uncoiled rattlesnake and the motto Dont tread on me sic reminiscent of the Gadsden flag It was later changed to a blue canton with white stars the Union Jack and updated as each state entered the Union However all warships were directed to fly the First Navy Jack including the disputed rattlesnake and motto since the duration of the War on Terror in 2002 8 On February 21 2019 the Chief of Naval Operations directed that U S Navy warships fly the U S jack again beginning on June 4 2019 9 10 11 A Commissioning or Masthead pennant is flown from the masthead and represents the commission of the captain of the ship and thus of the ship itself Additionally a Church pennant may be flown during religious services This pennant white with a blue cross or blue tablets and Star of David for Jewish services is the only flag authorized to be flown above the national ensign and only when at sea In addition hospital ships display the Red Cross Ships and units ashore may also fly burgees displaying unit citations Flags can also be used for signaling National ensign 1960 present First Navy Ensign naval ensign 1776 1777 Coast Guard Ensign First Navy Jack naval jack 2002 2019 Union Jack naval jack 1960 2002 2019 present government jack 1960 present Naval jack 1776 1777 probable Commissioning pennant Church pennants Red Cross hospital ships Personal flags EditOfficers with certain offices or billets as well as all generals and admirals have a personal flag assigned to represent their authority and or command 12 thus they are often referred to as flag officers Ashore the flags are usually displayed within the owner s office or raised on a secondary flagstaff near the unit colors while if the officer embarked they are flown aboard ship according to rank The appearance consists of a number of stars equal to the officer s rank insignia the colors determined by service red with white stars for the Army and Marine Corps blue with white stars for Naval commanders and Air Force Certain staff and non line officers have unique colors white with blue stars for non command Navy admirals 13 while Army chaplains and medical generals use ecclesiastical purple and maroon backgrounds respectively 14 Unique flags are given to the President 15 due to his position as Commander in Chief 16 Vice President Secretary of Defense Deputy Secretary of Defense Under Secretaries of Defense and Assistant Secretaries of Defense 17 each of the Secretaries of the Military Departments Secretary of the Army Secretary of the Navy Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretaries of the Military Departments Under Secretary of the Army Under Secretary of the Navy Under Secretary of the Air Force and Assistant Secretaries of the Military Departments Assistant Secretary of the Army Assistant Secretary of the Navy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the chief of the Military Services Chief of Staff of the Army Commandant of the Marine Corps Chief of Naval Operations Chief of Staff of the Air Force Chief of Space Operations and Commandant of the Coast Guard An admiral acting commodore or Convoy Commodore aboard a ship each may fly a flag from their flagship In addition the Navy will display the flag of the Secretary of State when the secretary is embarked as the representative of the United States Other diplomatic personnel are also afforded a consular flag when embarked The Coast Guard being part of the Department of Homeland Security will utilize the Secretary s flag much like the Navy will utilize the SecDef s Flag of the president of the United States Flag of the vice president of the United States Flag of the Secretary of Defense Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Defense Flag of a United States Under Secretary of Defense Flag of the Secretary of the Army Flag of the Secretary of the Navy Flag of the Secretary of the Air Force Flag of the Under Secretary of the Army Flag of the Under Secretary of the Navy Flag of the Under Secretary of the Air Force Flag of an Assistant Secretary of the Army Flag of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Flag of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Flag of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flag of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Army Flag of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Flag of theChief of Naval Operations Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Flag of the Chief of Space Operations Flag of the Commandant of the Coast Guard Flag of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Flag of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Flag of the Vice Chief of Space Operations Flag of the Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard Flag of the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau Flag of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flag of the Sergeant Major of the Army Flag of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Flag of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Flag of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe Flag of the Chief of the United States Army Reserve Flag of the United States Army Surgeon General Flag of the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army Flag of the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army Flag of the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army Flag of the United States Army Provost Marshal General Flag of the Inspector General of the United States Army Flag of a general of the Army Flag of a Navy fleet admiral Flag of a general of the Air Force Flag of an Army general Flag of a Marine Corps general Flag of a Navy admiral Flag of an Air Force general Flag of a Space Force general Flag of a Coast Guard admiral Flag of an Army lieutenant general Flag of a Marine Corps lieutenant general Flag of a Navy vice admiral Flag of a Air Force lieutenant general Flag of a Space Force lieutenant general Flag of a Coast Guard vice admiral Flag of an Army major general Flag of a Marine Corps major general Flag of a Navy rear admiral Flag of a Air Force major general Flag of a Space Force major general Flag of a Coast Guard rear admiral Flag of an Army brigadier general Flag of a Marine Corps brigadier general Flag of a Navy rear admiral lower half Flag of a Air Force brigadier general Flag of a Space Force brigadier general Flag of a Coast Guard rear admiral lower half Others EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed October 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Many other flags are traditionally associated with the military American Revolution Edit Not having made an official design until 1777 numerous distinct flags were carried into battle by American forces Even after the vague wording of the Flag Resolution of 1777 led to many designs The most commonly carried pre 1777 flags was the Grand Union Flag resembling closely the flag of the British East India Company The Gadsden flag was created from a political cartoon it was first seen carried into battle by Continental Marines Legend holds that the Betsy Ross flag was the first version of the current American flag and is depicted in artwork featuring General George Washington The Francis Hopkinson version is also claimed to be the first flag carried into battle by American troops The Serapis ensign was flown from the captured HMS Serapis due to the loss of the standard ensign during the Battle of Flamborough Head The Cowpens flag was depicted as being carried by the 3rd Maryland Regiment at the Battle of Cowpens while proven that the unit was not at Cowpens the name and pattern remained popular The Bennington flag is commonly held to have been carried by American troops at the Battle of Bennington The Guilford Courthouse flag was carried by the North Carolina militia at the Battle of Guilford Court House Several versions of the Flag of New England were carried by New England militias especially noted at the Battle of Bunker Hill The Pine Tree Flag found some limited use as a jack by early Naval vessels and boats The Bedford Flag was one of the first battle standards of the American military The Brandywine flag was carried by the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment at the Battle of Brandywine The 2nd Canadian Regiment not being American carried their own flag into battle when fighting for the Continental Army The Commander in Chief s Guard carried a unique banner while they protected General Washington The Flag of the Green Mountain Boys was the battle color of the Green Mountain Boys and the Vermont Republic prior to its admission to the Union Others Edit The Star Spangled Banner Flag or Great Garrison Flag was flown over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812 inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the poem The Star Spangled Banner It ultimately became the U S national anthem A flag proclaiming Come and take it in reference to a cannon the Mexican Army was attempting to seize was fashioned by Texans at the battle of Battle of Gonzales The brief existence of the Confederate States of America yielded the creation of several flags used by the Confederate Army and Navy The Fort Sumter Flag gained significance for its unique canton and its lowering at the Battle of Fort Sumter Old Glory gained fame in the story of Captain William Driver keeping it safe from Confederate capture and eventually became the nickname for the Flag of the United States itself The POW MIA flag became a symbol of concern about military personnel taken as prisoners of war and missing in action Recipients of the Medal of Honor also receive a flag based upon the design of the ribbon The Air National Guard uses a unique flag in addition to the Air Force flag The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary uses a flag based on the flag of the United States Coast Guard The Civil Air Patrol uses a flag based on the Air Force flag Don t Give Up the Ship words on the battle flag of Oliver Hazard Perry aboard the brig USS Niagara in 1813 The United States Space Command uses a unique flag along with the flags of the service flags See also EditGuidon United States References Edit Duncan Jr Charles W October 31 1977 DoD Directive 1005 8 Deputy Secretary of Defense Department of Defense Retrieved 2009 04 07 Terrel Captain United States Military Order of Precedence veteransinfo net Archived from the original on 2008 10 11 Retrieved 2009 04 07 www whitehouse gov Wyatt Rick 2008 04 26 Order When Displayed Flags of the World Retrieved 2009 04 07 Frequently Asked Questions Page Archived 2006 05 03 at the Wayback Machine American Naval Flags of the Revolutionary War Wyatt Rick 2004 07 10 Naval Jack U S Flags of the World Retrieved 2009 04 07 Civitillo Susan 2002 09 09 All U S Navy Ships to Begin Flying First Navy Jack on Patriot Day United States Navy Archived from the original on 2009 04 27 Retrieved 2009 04 07 Affairs This story was written by Chief of Naval Operations Public Navy Returns to Flying Union Jack www Navy mil Retrieved 23 February 2019 The Colors of a Navy and Nation The Sextant 1 dead link Wyatt Rick 2004 07 10 Military Rank Flags U S Flags of the World Retrieved 2009 04 07 Gregg Thomas M July 28 2010 United States Navy Current Position amp Rank Flags Archive of the Colors War Flags Retrieved 19 September 2010 Gregg Thomas M July 28 2010 United States Army General Officers Rank Flags Archive of the Colors War Flags Retrieved 19 September 2010 Wyatt Rick 2006 01 21 President U S Flags of the World Retrieved 2009 04 07 History of the President s Flag Archived 2014 09 11 at the Wayback Machine Seaflags US DOD Positional ColorsExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military flags of the United States The Institute of Heraldry U S Army Military Flags U S at Flags of the World Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Flags of the United States Armed Forces amp oldid 1165291894, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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