Retreat Ceremony

Twofold Purpose

Retreat Twofold Purpose

The retreat ceremony serves a twofold purpose:

It signals the end of the official duty day
It serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the United States flag

Time Set by Commander

Commander Sets Time

Because the time for the end of the duty day varies among different locations, the commander designates the time for retreat ceremonies.

Possible Locations

Retreat Locations

The retreat ceremony may take place at:

The squadron area
The base parade ground
Near the base flagstaff

Parade Ground Combo

If conducted at the base parade ground, retreat may be part of the parade ceremony.

Pre-Ceremony Setup

Retreat Pre-Setup

Shortly before the specified time for retreat, Airmen participating in the ceremony are positioned facing the flagstaff and dressed.

Band Position

If a band is present, the band precedes the Airmen participating in the ceremony.

Typical Retreat Procedure

Retreat Procedure.

If the band and Airmen march to the flagstaff, a flag security detail also marches to the flagstaff and halts. The senior member gives the command "Parade, REST" to the security detail.
As soon as the Airmen are dressed, the commander commands "Parade, REST." The commander then faces the flagstaff, assumes parade rest, and waits for the specified time for retreat.
At the specified time, the commander orders the bandleader to sound retreat by commanding "SOUND RETREAT."
During the playing of retreat (either by a band or over a loudspeaker), junior members of the flag security detail assume the position of attention and move to the flagstaff to arrange the halyards for proper lowering of the flag. Once the halyards are arranged, the junior members of the flag security detail execute parade rest in unison.
After retreat has played, the commander faces about and commands "Squadron (Group, etc.), ATTENTION."
The commander then commands "Present, ARMS." The members of the flag security detail and members in formation execute present arms on command of the commander. The commander faces to the front and also assumes present arms.
The national anthem is played, or a bugler plays To the Colors. The junior members of the flag security detail lower the flag slowly and with dignity.
The commander executes order arms when the last note of the national anthem or To the Colors is played and the flag is securely grasped. The commander faces about, gives the Airmen in formation the command of "Order, ARMS," and then faces to the front.
The flag security detail folds the flag. The senior member of the detail remains at attention while the flag is folded unless needed to control the flag.
When the flag is folded, the flag security detail, with the senior member on the right and the flag bearer in the center, marches to a position three paces from the commander (or officer of the day in an informal ceremony). The senior member salutes and reports "Sir (Ma'am), the flag is secured." The commander returns the salute, and the flag security detail marches away. The Airmen in formation are then marched to their areas and dismissed.

Uniformed Members Not in Formation

Not in Formation

Uniformed military members not assigned to a formation:

Face the flag (if visible), or face the music
Assume the position of parade rest on the first note of retreat
Upon completion of retreat, assume the position of attention
Salute on the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors

Lowering the Flag

Lowering Detail Composition

When practical, the detail lowering the flag should be:

One senior member and three junior members for the all-purpose flag
One senior member and five junior members for the installation flag

Procedure

Lowering Procedure

The detail is formed and marched to the flagstaff. The halyards are detached and attended from the leeward side.

On First Note

First Note Present Arms

On the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors, the members of the detail not lowering the flag execute present arms.

Coordinated Timing

Lowering Coordinated

The lowering of the flag is coordinated with the playing of the music so the two are completed at the same time.

Order Arms

Order Arms Command

The senior member commands the detail "Order, ARMS" when the flag is low enough to be received.

From Half-Staff

If at half-staff, briskly hoist the flag to the staff head while retreat is sounded, and then lower on the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors.

Folding

Detached and Folded

The flag is detached from the halyards and folded. The halyards are secured to the staff.

Folding Reference

The correct method for folding the United States flag can be found in DAFI 90-1202.

Retreat Ceremony