23D. Ceremonies and Events Flashcards
Order of the Sword Ceremony
Purpose:
- highest honor an enlisted member can bestow
- for individuals who have provided outstanding leadership/support to enlisted members
History:
- First ceremony in 1860
- sword presented to Gen Robert E Lee
Keepers of the Sword:
- CMSgt of AF
- Maj Cmd Cmd Chiefs
Approved Levels for Award:
- AF level
- Maj Cmd level
Required Rank:
- Col or above
Required Dress:
- mess dress
- semi-formal uniform
- equivalent
Combat Dining-Ins
Atmosphere:
- relaxed
- encourages camaraderie
Dress:
- utility uniform
Dining-In/Out Ceremonies
Military Dress:
- mess dress
- semi-formal uniform
Civilian Dress:
- as specified in invitation
Purpose:
- maintain esprit de corps
- maintain high morale
History:
- derived from Gen Henry H. “Hap” Arnold’s wingdings
Differences:
- non-military may attend dining out
AFI 34-1201
Uses:
- provides correct method for folding US flag
US Flag Retreat Ceremony
Instruction:
- halyards detached/attended from leeward side
- lower on first note of National Anthem
- flag lowered slowly with dignity
- completed in coordination with song
Half-Staff:
- hoist flag to top during retreat
Locations:
- base parade ground (part of parade ceremony)
- near base flagstaff
- squadron area
Timing:
- determined by CC
Purpose:
- signals end of duty day
- pays respect to US flag
US Flag Detail
All-Purpose Flag
- 1 senior
- 3 juniors
Installation Flag
- 1 senior
- 5 juniors
CC Commands:
- specified time; bandleader sound retreat
- detail marches to flagstaff; parade rest
- on first note; detail attention, present arms
- on last note; detail order arms
Procedure:
- juniors march to flagstaff/arrange halyards
- execute parade rest in unison
- juniors fold the flag
- senior remains at attention (unless needed to control flag
- details marches 3 paces from CC
- senior on right/flag bearer in center
- senior salutes CC
- reports “Sir, the flag is secured”
Hoisting US Flag
Flag Detail:
- 1 senior
- 2 juniors
Senior Member:
- carries flag/positioned at center
- holds flag until hoisted clear of grasp
- presents arms
Junior Members:
- marches to flagstaff during reveille
- attaches flag to halyards
- raise from leeward side
- raise on first note of anthem
Commander:
- commands “sound reveille”
- reveille plays
- commands sq to attention, and present arms
- anthem plays
- holds salute until last note of anthem
- executes order arms
- about face
- commands detail to order arms
Reveille Ceremony
- directed by CC
- after sunrise
- near base flagstaff
Purpose:
- signals start of duty day
AFI 36-3306
Title:
- Service Retirements
Uses:
- provides planning retirement details
Retirement Ceremony
Purpose:
- long outstanding tradition
- tangible expression of appreciation
- continuation of AF family
Members Receive:
- formal ceremony
- US Flag
- AF retired lapel button
- Various awards/decs
Responsibility of:
- CC
Reenlistment Ceremony
Oath
- may omit “so help me God”
- must be physically collocated with officer
- core of reenlistment ceremony
Dress:
- uniform specified by host
- exception; retired officer
Atmosphere:
- any place that lends dignity
- backdrop US flag
- immediate family may attend
Conducted By:
- any commissioned officer
Timing:
- the last duty day before effective promotion
AFI 36-2606
Reenlistment and Extension of Enlistment in the USAF
Decoration Ceremony
Timing:
- earliest possible date after approval of dec
Customs:
- dec presented by CC
Recognition:
- meritorious service
- outstanding achievement
- heroism
- accomplishments
Planning:
- at least 3 weeks in advance
