Life in the Military
Reveille, Retreat & Taps
One of the most common traditions found on a military installation is the sound of bugles at three different times throughout the day. These calls are Reveille, Retreat and Taps and are meant to be reflective moments of respect and reverence for the American flag and the nation it represents.
Rendering Honors to the Colors of the Flag
Soldiers at Fort Stewart, Georgia conduct Reveille and Retreat, both traditional and short ceremonies that honor the daily raising and lowering of the national flag.
Length 1:27 View TranscriptTranscription
The flag of the United States of America is a symbol of freedom and liberty. The red represents valor and bravery. The white purity and innocence and the Blue, vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Army regulation 600-25 states that the flag will be hoisted at the sound of the first note of reveille. During retreat the colors will be lowered to ensure completion at the last note of the music. The regulation directs moving vehicles to be brought to a halt with military passengers and drivers dismounting and rendering the appropriate courtesy.
These daily ceremonies are about more than observing simple customs and courtesies. It's honoring the flag that's still waived in 1814 torn and frayed. After enduring the 25-hour bombardment of Fort Mchenry. That flag inspired hope and captive Francis Scott Key that America could still prevail through one of our young nation's darkest hours.
It's also the symbol of the bounds of our intrepid courage, 155 years later. As Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted that flag nearly a quarter of a million miles away on the surface of the moon.
Most importantly it's about paying respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that our homes and families know peace and prosperity under American democracy. A solemn tribute for that symbol that drapes the caskets of police and military and other public servants.
Please stop and render honors.
Rendering Honors to the Colors of the Flag
Reveille
Sounded at bases around the world at sunrise, Reveille signals the beginning of the duty day and is a cue for service members to assemble for a morning roll call. Reveille is accompanied by the raising of the base’s colors and the U.S. flag, during which service members are required to stand at attention and face the colors and flag, if visible. If the flag is not within sight, they are to face the direction of the music. If reveille is followed by playing of the national anthem or “To the Colors,” service members should salute for the duration of the song.
Retreat
Sounded at sunset, Retreat marks the end of the workday. Retreat is accompanied by a ceremonious lowering of the base’s colors and the U.S. flag, during which service members are required to stand at attention and face the colors and flag, if visible. If the flag is not within sight, they are to face the direction of the music. If retreat is followed by playing of the national anthem or “To the Colors,” service members should salute for the duration of the song.
Depending on Service branch, installation and situational circumstances, service members in vehicles are also expected to safely pull over, sit at attention or even dismount/exit the vehicle to stand at attention during Reveille or Retreat for the duration of the ceremony.
Taps
Sounded at 2100 hours (9 p.m.), Taps is the final call of the day, and indicates lights out and marks “quiet time” on the base. Service members do not have to stand at attention or salute at this time.
To honor fallen military members, Taps is also sounded at military funerals, during which members are expected to stand at attention and salute for the entirety of the song.