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at sea are regarded primarily as military
ceremonies.
Service personnel wearing civilian clothing at a
military funeral follow the etiquette prescribed for
civilians.
Honors to the Colors
Naval ships not underway hoist the national
ensign at the flagstaff aft at 0800 and lower it at
sunset. Likewise, they hoist and lower the union
jack at the jackstaff forward at the same time. At
colors, they smartly hoist the ensign, lower it
slowly, and never allow it to touch the deck. At
both morning and evening colors, ships sound
“Attention,” and all officers and enlisted personnel
topside face the ensign and render the salute. At
shore stations and, in peacetime, on board large
vessels where a band is present, they play the
national anthem during the ceremonies. In the
absence of a band, a bugler, if available, sounds
“To the Colors” at morning ceremonies and
“Retreat” at sunset formalities. (When underway,
naval ships usually fly the ensign both day and
night from the mast and do not hoist the jack.) In
half-roasting the ensign, personnel first raise it to
the truck or peak and then lower it to half-mast.
Before lowering the ensign from half-mast, they
first raise it to the truck or peak and then lower it.
During colors, boats underway within sight or
hearing of the ceremony either lie to or proceed at
the slowest safe speed. Boat officers–or in their
absence, coxswains–stand and salute except when
dangerous to do so. Other persons in the boat
remain seated or standing and do not salute.
Vehicles within sight or hearing of colors stop.
Persons riding in vehicles sit at attention. The
person in charge of a military vehicle (but
someone other than the driver) renders the hand
salute.
When a vessel under the flag of a nation
formally recognized by the government of the
United States salutes a ship of our Navy by
dipping its ensign, our ship returns the salute dip
for dip. U.S. naval vessels never initiate the
dipping of the ensign.
In the large assortment of flags carried by
American men-of-war, only one flies above the
ensign–the church pennant (fig. 7-6). It is
displayed during a divine service held by a
chaplain or visiting church dignitary.
134.38
Figure 7-6.-The church pennant, displayed
during divine services, is the only emblem
that may be flown above the ensign.
SUMMARY
Courtesy can be defined as an act or verbal
expression of consideration or respect for others.
When a person acts with courtesy toward another,
the courtesy is likely to be returned. We are
courteous to our seniors because we are aware of
their greater responsibilities and authority. We
are courteous to our juniors because we are aware
of their important contributions to the Navy’s
mission.
In the military service, and particularly in the
Navy where personnel must live and work in
rather close quarters, we must practice courtesy in
all that we do on and off duty. Military courtesy is
important to everyone in the Navy. If you know
and practice military courtesy, you will make
favorable impressions and display a self-assurance
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