The Patriot Guard Flag

The Patriot Guard flag is the United States flag.  It is the flag of our forefathers. 

Throughout the history of the United States, civilians and military have fought and died for the flag,
which is representative of our nation.

It is an honor to fly the American flag on our motorcycles.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Flag Protocol

The following information comes from a variety of sources, with the definitive source being the
Department of Defense (DoD).  This information applies to all Veterans Service Organizations,
every citizen of the United States, and to the Patriot Guard.

Following are a few of the many References we’ve researched for flag protocol:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html 

(Might have to go to www.ushistory.org/betsy and then click on flag rules to get to the page)

http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/dodandmilitaryejournals/www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html2/d10058x.htm

http://www.veteransinfo.net/Main%20page/flags_seals_order_of.htm

Salute

The command after calling to attention should be “Present Arms” and then “Order Arms”, then “As You Were”.

“Attention!”        Come to attention

“Present, Arms!”            Salute

“Order, Arms!”   Arm back to side but stand at attention

“As You Were”   At ease

It is incorrect for people holding the flag to render the “Hand Salute”.

People holding the flags “should not” render the “salute” but should instead continue to hold the American
Flag in the upright position with the right hand.  This is the equivalent of a hand salute.

The “American Flag” should never “Dip” in a “Salute”.

Those people not holding flags should render the “hand salute” and hold it until the command “Order Arms”
is given.  Civilians should place their right hand over their heart.

The US Senate passed the following amendment to Section 9 of title 4, United States Code on July 25, 2007.

SECTION 1. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM
DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF FLAG.

Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking `all persons present' and all that follows through
the end and inserting `those present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces
and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should
face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress
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. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment
the flag passes.'.

Below is a URL for the website that covers all services.  This manual is 277 pages and should answer any
question you might have on the subject of Drill & Ceremonies.

http://natcon.pershingrifles.com/docs/fm_3-21_5.pdf#search=%22FM%203-21.5%22

From the U.S. Army field manual, FM 3-21.5 (22-5) Drill and Ceremonies:

FM 3-21.5

4-4. HAND SALUTE

The Hand Salute is a one-count movement. The command is Present, ARMS.

4-7

Order, ARMS. On the command of execution ARMS, return the hand sharply to the

side, resuming the Position of Attention.

Flying the flag from poles: 

If flying the flag from ONE FLAG POLE, the POW/MIA flag is flown directly below the American flag and above
any state flag.

* If flying American, POW/MIA, and State flags from TWO poles, the POW/MIA flag should be flown from the
same pole as the American flag, and beneath the American Flag, with the state flag flying from the pole to the left.
* If flying flags from three poles, the American flag occupies the place of prominence (the right), with the POW/MIA
flag immediately to the left of the US Flag, and the state flag to the left of the POW/MIA flag.

* If the American flag is flown in the middle, it must stand taller than any other flag beside it.

Flags on Motorcycles:

In a motorcycle procession, the flags are flown in the following order as prescribed by

DoD Directive 1005.8.

    U.S. (American)
    State
    Military Academies (if present)
    Army
    Marine
    Navy
    Air Force
    Coast Guard - in time of declared war, the Coast Guard flag goes in front of the Air Force flag
        (not sure why it doesn't go there now, since we are at war)

    POW-MIA
    Guard and/or Reserve (if present)
    Unit or Divisional flags
    All other flags including:
          Veterans Service Organizations (American Legion, ALR, SAL, VFW, Auxiliary, etc.)
          Non-military

As of now we do not fly the Academy flags which would go in front of the US Army flag, or the Reserve flags,
which would the Coast Guard flag.

These are the only flags recognized by the Department of Defense.

The ALR provides all these flags for ALR events. 

We must comply with proper flag protocol because this is a military funeral, and high-ranking military
officers and military veterans attend and expect to see the proper flag protocol observed.  We are
requesting that each bike fly only one 3x5 flag.

Comment and illustration below are from http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

 For Patriot Guard missions, we wish to establish uniformity. 
 Therefore each motorcycle should fly only one flag.  The
 order of flags will be observed as listed above.  Our purpose
 is to honor our fallen soldiers, and the U.S. flag leads the way.

Holding a staff – pole or harness

In regards to holding a staff, the U.S. Army field manual, FM 3-21.5 (22-5) Drill and Ceremonies provides the following Guidelines:

Hold the colors right hand on top, with the left hand on bottom, in a harness. 

At the carry, or without harnesses hold the colors with the right hand, resting the staff in the pocket of
the shoulder and the tip of the staff on the ground.

The National Colors never dip. 

Color guard “At Attention” or “Present Arms”

                  Color Guard at “Parade Rest”