20.2 Respect for the Flag

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

20.2 Respect for the Flag

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

There is no official meaning for the folds of the flag and no official flag folding script; flag folding ceremonies held by national interest groups are not official.

In uniform, salute the United States flag six paces before it passes in a procession and hold the salute until it has passed six paces.

The United States flag is never dipped to any person or thing, and at no time is a foreign national flag dipped.

When flown at half-staff, the flag is first hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to half-staff, and raised to the peak again before lowering at the end of the day.

Service flag precedence runs National Guard, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force, by order of service date.

Last updated: August 2026

The Flag and the Governing Law

"The United States flag is one of the most enduring and sacred symbols of our country," and "Airmen shall treat it with respect similar to that shown to the highest military and public officials."

Three titles of the U.S. Code govern proper display and respect: Title 4 ( Flag and Seal, Seat of Government, and the States ), Title 10 ( Armed Forces ), and Title 36 ( Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations ).

The most counterintuitive fact in the section, and therefore among the most tested:

"There is no official meaning for the folds of the flag, and according to DAFI 90-1202 there is no official flag folding script. Although various national interest groups hold flag folding ceremonies, they are not official."

The narrative AFH 1 provides about the flag "is not for official ceremonial use." Within that narrative: the flag was born on June 14, 1777 , when the Second Continental Congress determined it would be 13 stripes alternating between seven red and six white , with a union of 13 white stars in a blue field . The 13 horizontal stripes represent the original 13 colonies; the stars represent the 50 states.

The colors are symbolic: red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white signifies purity and innocence; blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Historical anchors: in 1814 Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner after the shelling of Fort McHenry; in 1892 the flag inspired Francis Bellamy to write the Pledge of Allegiance ; and in July 1969 Neil Armstrong planted the flag on the moon.

The Eight Types of Flags

Flag Material and size Use

Installation Lightweight nylon bunting, 8 feet 11 3/8 inches by 17 feet Displayed only in fair weather from an installation flagstaff; the typical flag used at USAF installations

All-Purpose Rayon bunting, 3 feet by 4 feet Outdoor display with flags of friendly foreign nations , arrival ceremonies for international dignitaries , or joint occupancy of a building by two or more countries

All-Purpose (All-Weather) Storm Lightweight nylon bunting, 5 feet by 9 feet 6 inches An alternate for the installation flag in inclement weather

Ceremonial Rayon or synthetic, 4 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 6 inches , trimmed on three edges with yellow rayon fringe 2 inches wide Ceremonies

Organizational Rayon or synthetic, 3 feet by 4 feet , trimmed on three edges with 2-inch fringe Organizational display

Retirement 3 feet by 4 feet or 3 feet by 5 feet Members retiring from the USAF are entitled to presentation of a United States flag

Garrison 20 feet by 38 feet Flown on holidays and special occasions ; can be substituted with the installation flag

Interment 5 feet by 9 feet 6 inches of cotton Authorized for deceased military personnel and veterans ; the size used to drape over a closed casket . Obtained from the VA using VA Form 27-2008

The garrison flag at 20 by 38 feet is the largest , and the interment and storm flags share the same 5 by 9 feet 6 inch dimensions — one in cotton, one in nylon. Those two facts cover most sizing items.

Display Rules

Sunrise to sunset. "The universal custom is to display the United States flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open." However, "when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness," and all other flags should also be illuminated when displayed with it.

Locations. Installations are authorized one installation flag from reveille to retreat , normally in front of installation headquarters, with additional flagstaffs adjacent to each dependent school.

Position and Manner

The governing rule: "The United States flag is always displayed on a stage or in a parade on its own right. In other words, for an audience looking at a stage, the flag is on the audience's left." And "the union (the white stars on the blue field) is displayed at the uppermost, right side of the flag itself."

"The flag's own right = the observer's left" is the single principle that answers nearly every display configuration item.

• Configuration Rule
• In procession with another flag On the right of all others , or in front of and centered ahead of other flags

Crossed staffs against a wall On the flag's own right (observer's left) , with its staff in front of the other staff

Radiating from a central point With no foreign flags present , the U.S. flag is in the center and at the highest point

Projecting from a building The union placed at the peak of the staff

In a line of equal height All staffs the same height and same finial ; the U.S. flag on the right side of the group (observer's left)

In a line with elevated height When no foreign flags are involved, the U.S. flag may be at the center of the line and at a higher level

With one or more nations Separate staffs of the same height , flags of equal size , displayed alphabetically with the U.S. flag at its own right (observer's left)

Near a speaker's platform The position of superior prominence and honor at the speaker's right as he or she faces the audience ; any other flag to the speaker's left

Vertically Union uppermost and to the flag's own right (observer's left) — north on an east-west street, or east on a north-south street

Horizontally against a wall Union uppermost and to the flag's own right (observer's left)

On a closed casket Lengthwise with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. Do not lower the flag into the grave, and do not allow it to touch the ground

Half-staff. The term "means the position of the United States flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff." All flags displayed with it fly at half-staff too — except foreign national flags, unless that country has granted permission.

The procedure is a classic item: "When flown at half-staff, the flag shall be first hoisted to the peak for an instant, and then lowered to the half-staff. The flag should be raised to the peak position before lowering at the end of the day." Peak first, peak again before lowering.

Holidays. Among the national holidays AFH 1 lists, Memorial Day is flown at half-staff until noon — the only one on the list with a qualifier.

Care and Respect

Salute rules:

When in uniform, salute the United States flag six paces before it passes in a procession or parade and hold the salute until it has passed six paces

"A folded flag is considered cased; therefore, a salute is not necessary"

Six paces before, six paces after is the number to memorize.

Dipping. "Regimental colors, state flags, and organizational or institutional flags are always dipped as a mark of respect to the United States flag. The USAF flag and organizational flags may be dipped as appropriate. The United States flag will not be dipped to any person or thing, and at no time will a foreign national flag be dipped."

Three rules in one passage: other flags are dipped to the U.S. flag ; the U.S. flag is never dipped ; a foreign national flag is never dipped .

The Prohibited Uses

The flag should never :

Be displayed with union down , except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property

• Touch anything beneath it — ground, floor, water, or merchandise — or be used to cover a statue or monument
• Be carried flat or horizontally ; it is always aloft and free

Be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery , or be festooned, drawn back or up, or in folds — it must always be allowed to fall freely

• Be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged
• Be used as a covering for a ceiling
• Have any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing placed on or attached to it
• Be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything

Be used for advertising purposes , and advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which it flies

Be printed or embroidered on articles designed for temporary use — cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins, boxes

• Be displayed on a float in a parade, except from a staff
• Be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, railroad train, or boat

Be used as a costume or athletic uniform — however, a United States flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations

Two positive rules within the list: a flag lapel pin, being a replica of the flag, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart , and no other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the United States flag — except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea , when the church pennant may fly above it.

Disposal: when no longer a fitting emblem for display, the flag "should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." A flag may instead be retired from service and preserved because of its historical significance , with disposition instructions from the installation honor guard or protocol office.

Service Flag Precedence

Per Title 10 , service flags are displayed by order of service date , with the most senior given the position of honor on the far right. The order from their own right (the observer's left) :

• Order Service Date
• 1 National Guard 13 December 1635
• 2 U.S. Army 14 June 1775
• 3 U.S. Navy 13 October 1775
• 4 U.S. Marine Corps 10 November 1775
• 5 U.S. Coast Guard 4 August 1790
• 6 U.S. Air Force 18 September 1947
• 7 U.S. Space Force 20 December 2019

The National Guard precedes the Army — a fact that surprises most candidates and is therefore heavily tested. Its 1635 date predates the Army by 140 years.

Following the service flags , the order runs: North American Aerospace Defense, U.S. Space Command, major commands (alphabetically), field operating agencies, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, direct reporting units, Numbered Air Forces, and wings (in descending order), and personal/position flags.