MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Mark T. Esper, released guidance outlining new regulations for displaying flags on all DoD installations. The flags displayed must align with the military imperatives of good order and discipline. Flags that contain divisive symbols and adversely affect good order and discipline are unauthorized. The American flag is authorized, and encouraged, to honor and display freely. In addition to the American flag, Service members and civilian employees are authorized to display other flags that promote unity and esprit de corps, such as:
- Flags of U.S. States and Territories and the District of Columbia;
- Military Service flags;
- Flag or General Officer flags;
- Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed civilian flags;
- Senior Executive Service (SES) and Military Department-specific SES flags;
- The POW/MIA flag;
- Flags of other countries, for which the United States is an ally or partner, or for official protocol purposes;
- Flags of organizations in which the United States is a member ( e.g., NATO);
- Ceremonial, command, unit, or branch flags or guidons.
This guidance applies to public displays of flags by Service members and civilian employees in all DoD work places, common access areas, and public areas, including, but not limited to: Office buildings, facilities, aircraft, government vehicles, conference rooms, individual offices, break rooms, common areas of dormitories and bachelor quarters, school houses and training facilities and all spaces or items in public or plain view. This regulation also includes government-operated or public-private venture housing (e.g., parking lots, yards, gazebos, or porches).
For more information, please read:
or visit https://www.maxwell.af.mil/