When boarding a Naval ship or boat, and the ensign is not flying, do you still face where the flag would be (aft) and stand at attention?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 12:54:03 -0400

I'm looking for a specific reference. My buddies and I have talked about this countless times, but we have never been able to find an instruction dictating military members to face a flag pole with no national ensign and stand at attention. I know countless amount of people that do this, but I don't know why. Maybe were just used to doing it all the time it becomes second nature and we don't question it? This has been bugging me for a while, and I really need an answer. I'm all for showing respect and rendering honors to the national ensign per instruction, but do I really need to do the same to a pole?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 12 at 2019 1:15 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 13:15:25 -0400

I don't know the answer, PO2 Private RallyPoint Member, but I'll bet one these men know!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 12 at 2019 1:28 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 13:28:04 -0400

Yes. The ensign, then the OOD or Representative, occasionally an E-2, normally with a request to come aboard. But that’s old Navy and on subs.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 12 at 2019 6:00 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:00:23 -0400

I quote my Grandfather US Navy, CPO Brosmer, retired.
"Before you board the vessel, locate the ensign (flag) and then OOD (Deck Officer). The ensign is at the fantail of the ship. The OOD is standing at the gangway (peacetime) or on board the vessel (wartime).
Salute the ensign first (when in Uniform). The salute is always done by Navy officers and personnel, plus all officers and personnel all other branches of the U.S. Stand at attention to salute each the Ensign then OOD.
Personnel not in uniform pause facing the ensign and stand momentarily. Then face the OOD, returning to attention to identify by name and rank.
The senior non-uniformed personnel of a group of ship's personnel will follow the same procedure, but only the senior will present unless standing orders of the Captain dictate otherwise. This non-unformed procedure is normally conducted dockside prior to boarding ship in full view of the OOD.
Civilians have no duty to salute, but may follow the protocol for non-uniformed members of the armed forces and pause before the ensign.
Of course things probably have changed since 1965, but I would bet his memory retains the gist of it all.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Aug 12 at 2019 6:15 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:15:03 -0400

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Any clue Chip?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 8:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 20:03:09 -0400

OPNAVINST 1710.7A June 2001, states "if flying." Don't know if there is a more current version.
Did find a webpage that stated to face where it would be flown if not being flown, such as after Retreat, but it appeared to be older and didn't identify the reference.
OPNAVINST 1710.7A. 1207. Salutes to the national ensign.
1. Each person in the naval service, upon coming on board a ship of the Navy, shall salute the national ensign if it is flying. He or she shall stop on reaching the upper platform of the accommodation ladder, or the shipboard end of the brow, face the national ensign, and render the
salute, after which he or she shall salute the officer of the deck. On leaving the ship, he or she shall render the salutes in inverse order. The officer of the deck shall return both salutes in each case.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2019 12:29 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:29:16 -0400

No, you don't render honors to the flag staff. Between sunset and 0800, salute the OOD, and request permission to board. If you see people render honors to the flag staff, it is incorrect and usually out of habit.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2019 11:59 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 11:59:52 -0400

Try NTP 3B. A Navigator or QM can help get you a copy.

Response by PO1 Richard Norton made Sep 24 at 2019 11:27 PM

PO1 Richard Norton — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 23:27:29 -0400

The short answer Yes you would face to where the ensign should be, then salute the quarterdeck officer/nco and request permission to come aboard.