This is a not a video to watch but to listen to. It is of retreat being played at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Heres some info about retreat that I found here: jbsa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123335665 Commentary by Command Chief Master Sgt. Jose A. LugoSantiago Joint Base San Antonio/502nd Air Base Wing 2/8/2013 - JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON -- One of our oldest and most solemn military traditions is to honor our flag. When we think of our flag for example, all of us come together as Americans and reflect on those values we hold dear: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On military bases all around the world, we are afforded this solemn opportunity to come together as Americans and reflect with the playing of Reveille and Retreat. Reveille and Retreat play every day to signal the beginning and end of the duty day. This is our opportunity to reflect and show gratitude. Throughout Joint Base San Antonio, you will hear Reveille at 5 a.m. daily at JBSA-Lackland, 5:30 a.m. at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and 6:30 a.m. at JBSA-Randolph. This signifies the beginning of the duty day. The end of the duty day is announced with Retreat at 5:30 p.m. daily at all JBSA locations. During this time, you will hear retreat, followed by the national anthem, or at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, retreat followed by To the Colors. During these times, all of us are required to afford the appropriate courtesies. So what is the appropriate courtesy? Each of the services command senior enlisted leaders at JBSA came together to discuss this very same question. Here is what all of us as great professionals should be doing. Sgt. Maj. Gary Tolar, inspector-instructor for the U.S. Marine Corps 4th Reconnaissance Battalion said, Personnel in uniform and outside must face the flag (or the music if the flag is not visible) and salute during the raising and lowering of the flag. Specifically, on the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors, members in uniform must render the hand salute. Command Master Chief Petty Officer James Perry from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command said that members must hold their salute until the last note of either the national anthem or To the Colors. Regarding courtesies while in civilian attire and while outdoors, face the flag (or the sound of the music) and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Drivers in vehicles during Reveille (when the flag is being raised), or Retreat, should pull the car to the side of the road and stop. What to do while the vehicle is at a complete stop differs among the services. Members are expected to follow the customs of their services. For example, JBSA senior enlisted leaders for the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force stated the expectation for vehicle occupants is to sit quietly until the last note of the music has played or the flag is fully raised or lowered. Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes, the U.S. Army North and Fifth Armys senior enlisted leader, said Army personnel are expected to stop the vehicle as well, but then Army personnel should exit the vehicle and render the same courtesies as all the services do when a service member is outdoors. If indoors during Reveille or Retreat, there is no need to stand or salute. However, everyone must stand during the playing of the national anthem before a showing of a movie while in the base theater. Courtesies to our flag are not only a venue to honor our flag, but are also a sign of our professionalism. The next time you hear Reveille or Retreat, go ahead - do the right thing. Show youre a professional - a proud heir of a rich military heritage. (((hugs))) ~lisa #AFWM #BMT #Retreat #AF #Ellsworth
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 22:30:01 +0000
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