Flag Protocols

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 08-05-2007, 23:02

Originally Posted by KukriKhan

It isn't a final law yet, but has passed the US Senate:

From Army Times.com

After years in uniform, saluting the flag, I must admit I've 'felt funny' with the hand-over-heart thing, as a civilian/veteran. My right arm always twitches to render that snappy salute SGT Johnson taught me in '72, only to stop, mid-salute, and cover my left shirt pocket.

So, what are the rules or traditions in your country? Do civilians honor/recognize your flag? How?

How about active soldiers and veterans?

For us it's simple, no "lid" no salute.

In formation officers salute everyone else stands at attention. More fun is the fact that when you greet an officer you must salute, so if the officer has just got off a bus, and is carrying a heavy hold all he has to put it down and salute you.

**Somebody Else** · 08-06-2007, 01:14

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

More fun is the fact that when you greet an officer you must salute, so if the officer has just got off a bus, and is carrying a heavy hold all he has to put it down and salute you.

Heh... I like doing this to my one-pip-wonder friends. One of whom now tells me to F-off whenever I look like I'm about to do the whole arm-wavey thing.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 08-06-2007, 22:09

Meh, you know you can get arrested for not doing it, right? It's the Queen's Commision, failure to acknowledge it is tantamount to treason.

**Somebody Else** · 08-07-2007, 00:41

True that. But once a day is generally all that's required. And if either party is incorrectly turned out, there's no need.

Heh, back when I started this TA malarkey, I used to take massive diversions to avoid officers. Either that, or, when indoors, I'd amble about with my ToS (don't ask, just don't) stuffed into a pocket or through a belt loop. Nowadays I quite gleefully wave at all and sundry.

**Goofball** · 08-13-2007, 17:21

Originally Posted by Somebody Else

True that. But once a day is generally all that's required. And if either party is incorrectly turned out, there's no need.

Heh, back when I started this TA malarkey, I used to take massive diversions to avoid officers. Either that, or, when indoors, I'd amble about with my ToS (don't ask, just don't) stuffed into a pocket or through a belt loop. Nowadays I quite gleefully wave at all and sundry.

Highland regiment?

This is what I wear (different cap badge though):

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 08-13-2007, 23:19

I don't get it either. Nor do I understand this "right to salute the flag" thing. Where I come from such things are duties bourn by servicemen, not "rites" awarded to them for their service.

**Bijo** · 08-14-2007, 00:06

They should be allowed to salute and no law should be required herefor. He who invented the idea is to be punished for foolisness that is simply too great to comprehend.

**Banquo's Ghost** · 08-07-2007, 10:10

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

For us it's simple, no "lid" no salute.

In formation officers salute everyone else stands at attention. More fun is the fact that when you greet an officer you must salute, so if the officer has just got off a bus, and is carrying a heavy hold all he has to put it down and salute you.

Mischievous.

Of course, in my day I had a batman to carry things. That's what soldiers are for. And second lieutenants, in a pinch (though they are too prone to drop things).

**Moros** · 08-07-2007, 14:59

Depens on the flag...
If it's the belgian flag, they don't notice it.
If it's a seperatist flag, yellow with black lion with black claws and black teeth, they all start respecting it.
If it's the Flemish flag (RED CLAWS AND TONGUE), well the same would happen as with the racist one, only this never happens as everyone in Flanders seems to think that that speratist flag is the flag of flanders and for some reason they all have it.

Idiots

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 08-08-2007, 21:58

Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

Mischievous.

Of course, in my day I had a batman to carry things. That's what soldiers are for. And second lieutenants, in a pinch (though they are too prone to drop things).

Once we timed it so that six of us walked past the same officer one after the other, but seperately. He was a good sport thankfully.

Somebody Else, once we were on a camp surrounded by RAF, all the WO's wear caps like the officers, we couldn't tell them apart, so we would all suddenly become very interested in the guttering when we saw a peek in the distance.

**zukenft** · 08-10-2007, 19:50

Now I live in a country where the norm is to salute the national flag whenever it's hoisted, whoever you are...
the idea of different ways to respect the flag is...