When will the organizational color be dipped in ceremonies?

When will the organizational color be dipped in ceremonies?

• A. During all military ceremonies while the national anthem of the United States, To the Colors, or a foreign national anthem is being played.
• B. Only during ceremonies when the U.S. national anthem is played.
• C. Only during To the Colors ceremonies.
• D. Never; organizational color is not dipped.

Answer: (D)

Organizational colors are the unit flags carried in ceremonies, and in U.S. Army customs those colors are never dipped to a person or to another flag. The flag is treated with a consistent, dignified display: during patriotic moments you stand at attention and salute as appropriate, while the colors remain upright and steady. Dipping would imply subservience or that the flag is subordinate to someone or something, which is not how U.S. color etiquette is taught. Therefore, the correct practice is that the organizational color is not dipped at ceremonies.

Organizational colors are the unit flags carried in ceremonies, and in U.S. Army customs those colors are never dipped to a person or to another flag. The flag is treated with a consistent, dignified display: during patriotic moments you stand at attention and salute as appropriate, while the colors remain upright and steady. Dipping would imply subservience or that the flag is subordinate to someone or something, which is not how U.S. color etiquette is taught. Therefore, the correct practice is that the organizational color is not dipped at ceremonies.