Reveille, Retreat, Taps changes start Aug. 29

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GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Beginning Aug. 29, Goodfellow AFB will play "Reveille" at 6 a.m., "Retreat" at 5 p.m. and "Taps" at 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays.

"Reveille" signals the beginning of the duty day and is played to honor the U.S. flag as it is being raised. On Goodfellow, "Reveille" is followed by "To the Colors." On the first note of "Reveille," which plays at 6 a.m., all members in uniform, including PT gear, must stop and assume the position of parade rest.

Once "Reveille" is over, members in uniform should come to attention and render a salute and hold until the last note of "To the Colors" is played. If in civilian clothes, service members must come to parade rest for "Reveille," then come to attention for "To the Colors." Civilians should stop moving and stand silently until both songs have finished playing.

"Retreat" signals the end of the day's activities and is usually followed by the national anthem to honor the U. S. flag as it is being lowered. "Retreat" will play on Goodfellow at 5 p.m. On the first note of "Retreat," members in uniform should assume the position of parade rest. On the first note of the national anthem, members should come to attention and salute until the last note has played. Service members not in uniform should come to attention for the national anthem and place their right hand over the heart. If headgear is worn, it should be removed during this time. For civilians, on the first note of "Retreat" they should stop moving and prepare for the national anthem. On the first note of the national anthem, they should place their right hand over the heart and remove headgear if wearing any.

"Taps" is usually played in the evening and is the signal for "lights out," or quiet hours. "Taps" will play on Goodfellow at 8 p.m. The origins of "Taps" can be traced back to the Civil War, and it is also played as the last part of military funerals. If outdoors and in uniform, service members must come to the position of attention and salute until the last note has played. If not in uniform, service members and civilians must follow the same protocol as for the national anthem.

If in a vehicle, the driver should stop the vehicle, turn off the radio and sit in silence until the last note of music has played for all of these ceremonies.