4-1 Colors

familiarize!!

When is “First call to colors”, how is it called, and what happens?

• 0755

• special bugle call (sometimes OOD passes word over the general announcing system (1MC))

• on ships, a special yellow and green pennant called the PREP (“preparative”) pennant will be hoisted to the yardarm (horizontal bar)

When is “Attention” sounded and what happens during this?

• 0800

• colors (flags) are being briskly hoisted

• national anthem/”to the colors” silence

• PREP pennant is hauled to the dip (lowered to the halfway point) and remain there until the ceremony is completed

What can be heard as the colors are being hoisted?

the national anthem, “to the colors” on bugle, or silence

What does everyone within sight or hearing do during morning colors?

render honors

What should you do if you are outside during morning colors?

• stop what you are doing when “Attention” is sounded

• face the colors or direction from which you heard “Attention”

• salute when the national anthem or “to the colors starts (or at “Attention” is there is silence)

• drop the salute when it stops (or until you hear “Carry on”)

What should you do instead of saluting if you are not in uniform during colors?

stand at attention

What should you do if you are driving a vehicle during colors?

stop and sit at attention

What do you do after “Carry on” has been signaled?

resume what you were doing before the color ceremony

When do evening colors occur and where will the time be published?

• sunset (depends on latitude and time of year)

• published in POD of your ship/station

What happens five minutes before sunset?

• “First call to colors” is sounded (same as morning)

• PREP pennant will be raised to the yardarm (horizontal bar)

What signals the beginning of evening colors?

“Attention” is sounded on a bugle or a whistle is blown

How do evening color procedures for the PREP movement and saluting compare to the morning color ones?

they’re the same: PREP is hauled to the dip, stand at attention/salute for duration of song or until “Carry on” is called

What will be played when the national ensign is being lowered?

“Retreat”

How does the speed at which the flag is raised/lowered differ between morning and evening colors?

it is hauled up smartly (quickly) but hauled down slowly and ceremoniously