Scout Skills

Troop · Ceremony

Flag Etiquette

Scouts handle the U.S. flag often, so flag etiquette matters. The rules come from the U.S. Flag Code (Title 4 of the U.S. Code): raise it briskly and lower it ceremoniously, don't let it touch the ground, show no disrespect, and retire a worn flag in a dignified way.

Governed by
U.S. Flag Code (Title 4)
Raise / lower
Briskly / ceremoniously
Touched ground?
Clean it, don't retire it
Worn out?
Dignified retirement

How to handle the flag

  1. 1Raise briskly, lower ceremoniously — and never let it touch the ground.
  2. 2Display it right — sunrise to sunset (or lit 24h), not in bad weather unless all-weather; union up; the flag's own right is the honor position.
  3. 3Show respect during ceremonies — face it, stand at attention, hand over heart (salute if in uniform, remove hats).
  4. 4Run a flag ceremony — a color guard posts the colors and leads the Pledge; retire the colors to close.
  5. 5Care for the flag — fold it properly (the triangular fold), store it clean and dry.
  6. 6Retire worn flags — a dignified retirement (traditionally burning), often as a ceremony.

The essentials

  • No disrespect, never dip the flag to any person or thing.
  • Touched the ground? Clean it — touching the ground does not by itself require retirement.
  • Weather — don't display in bad weather unless it's an all-weather flag.
  • A scout ceremony uses a color guard to post (present) and retire the colors, often with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Notes & safety

  • Flag retirement uses fire — do it safely. A retirement-by-burning ceremony must follow fire safety (safe site, adult supervision, full extinguishing). It is not a casual campfire act.
  • Handle respectfully and safely — a color guard should move deliberately; poles and hardware can be a trip or poke hazard if rushed.
  • Follow the Flag Code — it's the authoritative etiquette; when unsure, check Title 4 U.S.C.

Going deeper

  • Briskly up, ceremoniously down. The one-line rule for raising and lowering.
  • Touched the ground? Clean it. A common myth is that a dropped flag must be destroyed — the Flag Code allows cleaning it instead.
  • Retire it with honor. A worn-out flag deserves a dignified, fire-safe retirement many troops perform.

Official source

U.S. Flag Code — Title 4 U.S.C., Chapter 1 →

The core etiquette is from the U.S. Flag Code. Some display specifics (times, position of honor, half-staff, retirement) are Flag-Code-standard — confirm against Title 4 U.S.C. and the VA guidelines. The ceremony format varies by troop.

Related skills

TroopMeeting Plan TroopCourts of Honor TroopCampfire Programs CampcraftPutting Out a Fire CampcraftFire Site Prep EthicsOutdoor Code