WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- Ceremonies play a big part in the military lifestyle, and they are a part of its history and traditions.
For Soldiers, the day starts and ends with a flag ceremony: reveille and retreat.
Reveille, which is played at 6:30 a.m., in Hawaii, is the time our flag is hoisted and the bugle sounds, signifying the beginning of our duty day.
Retreat, which signifies the end of the duty day, is when the bugle gets played again and our flag is lowered, folded and put away.
At Army-Hawaii installations, retreat plays at 5 p.m., except on Thursdays, when it occurs at 3 p.m. for family time.
During a recent U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Facebook town hall, a community member questioned why vehicles are not stopping during reveille and retreat.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Williamson, senior enlisted leader, USAG-HI, who handles inquiries like this one, said garrison has identified a couple of reasons why that policy is being overlooked.
He explained that the military has evolved to include more civilians and contractors, and leaders should reiterate protocol to make sure it is being adhered to by all personnel.
"The policy clearly states that all vehicle drivers, both military and civilian, will halt their vehicles during reveille and retreat," Williamson said.
"Also, it is important that Soldiers living on post and visiting post … make sure that their families understand all the policies. Directors and supervisors of civilians need to make sure that their staff is aware of the policies, as well."
According to Appendix C of Army Regulation 600-25, "Salutes, Honors and Visits of Courtesies," military personnel in uniform should face the flag and render hand salute during reveille, and during retreat they should face the flag and stand at attention. Military personnel and civilians in civilian dress should remove headgear, face the flag and stand at attention with their right hands over their hearts during reveille, and during retreat, they should face the flag and stand at attention.
Capt. Parris Watson, operations officer with USAG-HI's Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, said rendering proper honors to our flag is an important part of keeping military tradition and history alive.
"It's about following good order and discipline," Watson said. "Bearing honors to the flag is about representing our military values. The garrison's policy needs to be disseminated down to the lowest level, (to both) military and civilian."
"Rendering honors during ceremonies, reveille and retreat is a part of common customs and courtesies," Williamson emphasized, "which is tradition and a big part of being in the military."
Protocol Policies
To review USAG-HI's policy letter "Discipline, Law and Order," about proper protocol pertaining to military courtesies, visit www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil and click on "Command Policies," or refer to AR 600-25, "Salutes, Honors and Visits of Courtesys," Appendix C, C-2.
Social Sharing