If you go on a military base

[arkjarhead]

In another thread I posted today Ihammer told a story about being on a Marine base when the colors where raised. I assumed everyone here knew what to do when the colors are raised or lowered on base just because I do. I know, what they say about assuming.

When on base in the morning and the colors are raised you will hear revelee will and in the evening when the colors are lowered taps will sound (same song played at military funerals). Any vehicle on base should stop. This usually happens right around dawn and dusk. So if you are on base at that time keep an ear open for it. If you see vehicles stopping for what seems to be no reason turn off the radio, roll down the window, and enjoy the bugle. That is one of the many things I miss about living on base. When I here Taps played it always made me think of the men and women that went before me and the example they set.

Now you know what to do.

 

[layoutshooter]

Yes, please show respect for the "Colors"!! Many have died for you, under the loving gaze of that flag. You owe it to them. Layoutshooter

 

[cheri1122]

Thanks, Joe, for the heads up - I'd hate to seem disrespectful through ignorance.

 

[arkjarhead]

Like I said all this time I have been assuming until I read that other post. Then it made wonder. That is at least the protocol on a Marine base. I'm sure it is the same elsewhere, but I can't testify to it. Maybe some of the brave members of other branches could confirm. I know when I worked in the prison guys I worked with that had been in the Army told me how they did things and it was daylight and dark between the Army and Marines. Somethings I liked the way we did it better, but other others I prefered the Army way once I heard of it. Like for example, in the Marines sleeves are up or down when not in the field based on the calender. In the field they are always down. In the Army when not in the field it depends on outside temp. which to me makes more sense. The Marines also set a date when the heater and a/c will be on and off in the barracks based on what temps are usually like in Quantico,VA. Let me tell there is a world of difference between Quantico at the first of the year and where I was stationed at 29 Palms,CA in Jan. We just said forget the big wigs and turned on the a/c.

 

[layoutshooter]

When I was in the proticol was the same on all bases. The biggest difference I saw between the Army and Marines was when I was stationed in Japan. I was on a 4 service, dual purpose base. It was Misawa Air Base. There was a very large 4 service intelligence mission and a Air Force fighter wing. F4 Phantoms at that time. The Army, Navy and Air Force just went to work and did thier jobs. The Marines did thier intell job and then would play "military". Like pulling guard duty in front of the BX snack bar. Carrying empty M16's with no magazines. They always had a guard on the place whenever it was not open. They were not allowed to get out of the rain while on duty. They just stood there in the rain, sleet, snow or whatever guarding the snack bar. They also had to do close order drilling. Marching around the base. All I ever did was go to work and come back to the barracks when my shift was over. Lalyoutshooter

 

[Falligator]

When I was in the Army 25th I.D. 3/7 F.A. in Hawaii when the flag was raised and lowered all military members had to stop; stand at attention turn a half face towards where the flag was on base and salute until the flag was raised or lowered. In the morning we mostly did this while in formation for our daily P.T. but in the evening around 1800 we had to stop what we were doing even in our civilian clothing or we'd get an article 9.