Military Customs and Courtesies during Reveille and Retreat

FREDERICK, MD, UNITED STATES

08.03.2021

Story by lanessa hill 

U.S. Army Garrison - Fort Detrick

Many of you noticed over the last few weeks that police officers are stopping traffic at our gates twice a day when we raise and lower the Nation’s colors. Every day at 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. the sound of bugle call plays over the Fort Detrick mass notification systems. This is part of a centuries-old tradition of military signaling. Reveille in the morning and Retreat in the afternoon are part of this tradition and there is an act of individual respect to the Nation for both Soldiers and civilians that accompanies this tradition. Fort Detrick leadership asked the police force to stop traffic to help remind the post that we owe much to our country.
Reveille traces its origin to a French bugle call used since the Crusades. It sounds on Fort Detrick at 6:30 a.m. signifying the beginning of the day with morning roll call. When Reveille sounds, FM 7-21.13 instructs Soldiers who are outdoors to come to the position of attention while facing the flag and salute from the first to the last note of the call. As a sign of respect to the Nation, civilians and Soldiers in civilian clothes stand at attention while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts. Drivers are to pull off to the side of the road, and the driver or the vehicle commander should exit the vehicle to render honors.
Every evening at 5:00 p.m. Retreat sounds, signifying the end of the day. Historically, this meant sentries would challenge personnel until sunrise. Today, the Retreat call occurs in two parts. The first bugle call is Retreat. The color detail lowers the flag on the first note of “To the Colors.” The appropriate respectful actions are similar to those I described for Reveille in most respect, except that formations stand at parade rest for Retreat and come to attention and present arms for “To the Colors.” Soldiers not standing in formation should stand at attention during both bugle calls and salute during “To the Colors.” Soldiers not in uniform and civilians should place their hand over their heart during “To the Colors.” Drivers should also pull their vehicles to the side of the road and render appropriate honors.
The Garrison ask for your assistance in using these two minutes a day to rekindle the outward signs of pride in our Nation and our traditions. This is a small action we can all take to signal our commitment to teamwork and adherence to our military standards. It also helps us communicate to others that we take our role in national security seriously and are committed to excellence.
Support and Defend!

• Date Taken: 08.03.2021
• Date Posted: 08.03.2021 09:14
• Story ID: 402291
• Location: FREDERICK, MD, US
• Hometown: FREDERICK, MD, US