Flag of the United States Army

Flag of the United States Army. The flag serves as the official emblem of the United States Department of the Army and represents the United States Army as a whole. Adopted in the mid-20th century, its design is derived from the historic War Office Seal and incorporates elements symbolizing the Army's origins and enduring mission. The flag is displayed at installations, during ceremonies, and in contexts where the collective identity of the U.S. Army is to be formally represented.

Design and symbolism

The flag features a white field upon which is centered a blue rendition of the central design from the War Office Seal. This emblem depicts a Roman cuirass below a Phrygian cap atop a sword and fasces, with a drum, cannon, cannonballs, and a military color on a flagstaff arrayed behind it. Below this device is a red scroll with the inscription "UNITED STATES ARMY" in white letters, and beneath the scroll is the blue date "1775" in Roman numerals, marking the year of the Continental Army's establishment by the Second Continental Congress. The symbolism of the seal's elements, authorized in 1778, represents the Army's readiness, authority, and defense of the nation's ideals, with the date affirming its foundational role in the American Revolutionary War.

History

Prior to the adoption of a unified flag, various unofficial banners and the Flag of the United States were used to represent the U.S. Army. The push for a distinct flag gained momentum after World War II, partly influenced by the creation of official flags for the United States Air Force and the United States Navy. On June 12, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a former Army of the United States general, approved the design proposed by the United States Department of the Army. This design was formally dedicated in ceremonies at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and at the Pentagon on June 14, 1956, coinciding with the national observance of Flag Day. The flag's design is directly adapted from the seal originally created during the American Revolution and subsequently modified over centuries.

Use and protocol

The flag is categorized as an organizational flag and is displayed to represent the entire U.S. Army. It is flown at major Army commands, installations like Fort Bragg and the United States Military Academy at West Point, and during official events such as change of command ceremonies and military funerals. Protocol, as outlined in Army Regulation 840-10, governs its display, typically specifying it should be flown subordinate to the Flag of the United States but may be positioned to its own right. The flag is also carried by the color guard of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and is present during sessions of the United States Congress when the Secretary of the Army or the Chief of Staff of the Army is testifying.

Related flags and emblems

Several other flags represent specific components of the Army. The Flag of the United States Secretary of the Army features a similar design but with a white field and a red border. Distinct flags exist for the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Vice Chief of Staff, and other senior officials, often incorporating stars and the seal. The United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Army Special Forces have their own unique heraldic flags and insignia, such as the Special Forces Tab. Furthermore, individual units, from divisions like the 1st Infantry Division to regiments such as the 75th Ranger Regiment, carry their own guidons and colors under the provisions of the Institute of Heraldry.

Legal status and specifications

The flag's design and use are officially prescribed by executive order and codified in Army Regulation 840-10. Its precise specifications, including colors, dimensions, and artistic details, are maintained by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. The official proportions of the flag are 33 units hoist by 26 units fly, a unique ratio among U.S. military flags. Manufacturing and procurement of the flag for official use are managed through the Defense Logistics Agency. Unauthorized commercial reproduction or misuse of the flag's design is restricted, as it is considered official government imagery akin to the Great Seal of the United States.

Category:Flags of the United States military Category:United States Army