Reveille, retreat ceremonies coming to MSP ARS

  • Published
  • By Paul Zadach
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION --  With the recent upgrades to the 934th Airlift Wing "Giant Voice" system it is now possible to conduct the time honored tradition of reveille and retreat at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station. Beginning Jan. 6, the Sunday of the January UTA, the ceremonies will become a part of the duty day at MSP-ARS much as it is at military installations around the world.

Reveille and retreat ceremonies take place every day to signal the beginning and end of the duty day. These ceremonies are a time for everyone to stop and pay their respects. Many members of the wing likely remember the daily ceremonies as a familiar part of military life. Others may not remember all the customs and courtesies or perhaps have not been exposed to them at all. Following is information about what actions should be taken during these ceremonies on base. There are certain procedures that take place for each ceremony for different situations.

At the MSP ARS, reveille will be played at 7 a.m. and retreat at 4 p.m.

What to do when in uniform outdoors:
Immediately face the flag and stand at parade rest at the first note of reveille or retreat (face the direction of the music if the flag is not in view). When the reveille or retreat music concludes, come to the position of attention and render a salute at the first note of "To the Colors" or the national anthem and remain saluting until the last note.

When not in uniform, military and civilian outdoors:
Immediately face the flag at the first note of reveille or retreat (face the direction of the music if the flag is not in view). When the reveille or retreat music concludes, civilians and military personnel not in uniform will place their right hand over their heart when they hear the first note of "To the Colors" or the national anthem and keep it there until the last note. Saluting is optional for servicemembers and veterans not in uniform. If wearing headgear, remove the headgear with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder while the right hand is over the heart.

What to do inside at an event:
If inside at an event and in uniform, stand up, face the flag and stand at attention. If there is no flag present, face the direction of the music; do not salute unless in a formation. If inside and not in uniform, stand at attention with your right hand over your heart. If in civilian attire and wearing a hat, remove it with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the hand over the heart. NOTE: Some indoor ceremonies are treated as outdoor events. Personnel in uniform will wear their headgear and render the appropriate customs and courtesies they would for an outside function.

What to do in a vehicle:
When Reveille or Retreat plays, move to the side of the road, stop the vehicle and turn off the radio. All occupants should sit quietly until the last note of the music has played.

What to do when outside in Air Force physical training gear:
Follow the same protocol as if not in uniform. Stand at parade rest facing the flag or direction of the music if no flag is visible, until the last note plays. NOTE: If taking a PT test while reveille or retreat plays, do not stop, continue with the test as normal.

Reveille and retreat have been around for a long time dating back more than 900 years. Reveille originates from the French word for "wake up," and was originally used as a wakeup call for military personnel for assembly and roll call. In other words, it signaled the beginning of the official duty day. It wasn't originally intended as honors for the flag. However, as with many other military traditions, over time, procedures evolved to not only serve the needs of the day, but also to remind people of history and tradition. Today, the flag is honored each time it is raised and that time is used as a brief moment to reflect on those who have served, preserving the ideologies embodied in the flag itself.

Retreat was first used by the French Army, and dates as far back as the 11th century and the Crusades. Its original purpose was to notify the sentinels to begin challenging (meaning to "halt" and demand identification) until sunrise, and to inform the troops to head back to their barracks and sleep safely. The modern retreat originated in the 16th century during the Revolutionary War, when it was called "watch setting". The drum major of a regiment would advertise the changing of the watch by the beating of the drum. On the battlefield, sunset signaled the end of fighting for the day, and thus, retreat (which was played at sunset) signaled the end of the duty day.