HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass., -- Reveille, retreat and taps are played each duty day across the installation on the giant voice system. Hanscom displays the U.S. flag 24/7 instead of raising it each morning.
The installation commander has designated 6:30 a.m. as the official start of the duty day and has designated 5 p.m. as the end of the duty day at Hanscom. In addition, Taps is played to mark the start of quiet hours on base at 9 p.m.
Reveille is played as a bugle call to signal the beginning of the official duty day and is immediately followed by To the Colors. The proper procedures for service members outside and in uniform during reveille is to stop, face the flag or music, if the flag is not in view, and go to the position of parade rest. Then, upon the first note of To the Colors, service members render a hand salute for the duration of the song. Civilians and military members not in uniform during To the Colors should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, with the hand being over the heart.
Retreat is played to mark the end of the official duty day and precedes the playing of the National Anthem. The proper procedures for service members outside and in uniform during the playing of retreat is to stop, face the flag or music if the flag is not in view, and go to the position of parade rest. Then, upon the first note of the national anthem, service members render a hand salute for the duration of the song. Civilians and military members not in uniform during the anthem should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, with the hand being over the heart.
Taps is played to mark the start of quiet hours on base at 9 p.m. While there are no official procedures for taps being played at the start of quiet hours, it is customary if outdoors to stop and pay homage to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
When the U.S. flag is raised or lowered, or when To the Colors or the national anthem is played the proper etiquettes are as follows:
- Service members in uniform should stand at attention and salute.
- Service members out of uniform should stand at attention and place their right hand over their heart or may also render a salute.
- Civilians should place their right hand, with a hat if wearing one, over their heart.
- Service members performing physical training and wearing a PT uniform outdoors should stop, stand at attention and render salute.
- Vehicles in motion should pull over safely and stop.
Taps is a critical part of military funeral and memorial ceremonies. When at a military funeral in uniform, a salute should be rendered during the playing of taps. Civilians should remove any non-religious headdress and place their hand over their heart.
If sponsoring guests to Hanscom AFB, including contractors, sponsors should inform visitors of these requirements and protocols.