Etiquette Guidelines Flag Etiquette During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their hat with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes. During honor ceremonies, those in uniform show respect to flags of other countries with a salute. All others should stand at attention.
National Anthem Etiquette When the flag is displayed during the playing of the national anthem, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their hat with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the right hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should stand at attention and render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and hold their salute until the last note is played. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. For those Orioles fans among us, “Oh” should not be shouted out during the singing of the national anthem. The same marks of respect prescribed during the playing of the National Anthem should be shown during the playing of a foreign National Anthem.
Service Song Etiquette It is customary for service members to stand when their service song is played. Family members may also rise. In the Marine Corps, Marines stand at attention for the Marines’ Hymn and their family members should also rise. On some occasions, all service members may stand during the playing of all service songs. Take your cue from those around you. The Service Songs are: Navy – Anchors Aweigh Marine Corps – Marines’ Hymn Army – The Army Goes Rolling Along Air Force – The US Air Force Coast Guard – Semper Paratus.