Flags of the United States Armed Forces facts for kids

A U.S. Joint Service Color Guard marches in a parade. A color guard is a team that protects and displays the flags. From left to right are the flags of the Nation, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

Did you know that each branch of the United States Armed Forces has its own special flag? These flags are flown on ships, at military bases, and during parades to represent the pride and history of each service. They are a symbol of the people who serve in the military.

When these flags are displayed together, they follow a special order of importance. The Flag of the United States, also called the "national colors," always comes first. Then, the flags of the military branches are shown in a specific sequence: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.

The flags of the U.S. military branches are displayed in the Oval Office at the White House.

The Six Service Flags

Each of the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces has a unique flag. These flags, called service flags, feature the symbols and colors that represent the mission and history of each branch.

Flags at Sea

Special flags have been used on military ships for centuries. These are known as maritime flags.

Ensign and Jack

Most U.S. ships, including Navy warships, fly the ensign of the United States. This is the same as the national flag of the United States. It is flown from 8:00 AM until sunset on all U.S. ships in foreign or international waters.

Ships also fly a smaller flag at the front, called the jack of the United States. For many years, this was a blue flag with 50 white stars, known as the "Union Jack." However, for a time after 2002, the Navy used the historic "First Navy Jack" which has 13 red and white stripes, a rattlesnake, and the words "Don't Tread On Me". In 2019, the Navy returned to using the blue Union Jack.

Other Ship Flags

• A Commissioning Pennant is a very long, narrow flag flown from the top of a ship's mast. It shows that the ship is under the command of a captain.
• A Church Pennant is flown during religious services on a ship. It is the only flag that can be flown above the U.S. national flag.
• Hospital ships, which are used as floating hospitals, fly a Red Cross flag to show they are protected.

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  The National Ensign, the main flag flown on U.S. ships.

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  The Coast Guard Ensign is a unique flag flown on Coast Guard ships.

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  The "Union Jack" is the current naval jack, flown at the front of ships.

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  The "First Navy Jack" was used from 2002 to 2019.

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  A Commissioning Pennant shows a ship is in active service.

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  A Church Pennant is flown during worship services.

Flags for Leaders

High-ranking leaders in the government and military have their own personal flags. These flags show their position and authority. For example, the President of the United States, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, has a unique flag that is displayed wherever he or she goes.

Top military officers, like generals and admirals, also have flags that show their rank. These officers are often called "flag officers" because of this tradition. The color of the flag and the number of stars on it match the officer's rank and branch of service.

Famous Flags from History

Many other flags have been important in American military history. They tell stories of bravery and key moments from the past.

Flags of the American Revolution

During the American Revolution, before the United States had an official flag, soldiers carried many different designs into battle.

• The Gadsden flag is a bright yellow flag with a coiled rattlesnake and the words "Don't Tread on Me." It was a symbol of the American colonies' spirit.
• The Betsy Ross flag is a famous design with 13 stars in a circle. Legend says that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag for General George Washington, but the story is not confirmed by historians.
• The Pine Tree Flag was another popular symbol, especially with ships of the early Navy. It showed a pine tree, a symbol of New England.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Perhaps the most famous flag in U.S. history is the one that flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. This huge flag, known as the Star Spangled Banner Flag, had 15 stars and 15 stripes. Seeing it still waving after a long battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that later became the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Other Important Flags

• The POW/MIA flag was created to remember service members who were prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). It has become a powerful symbol of the promise to never forget these individuals.
• Recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, receive a special flag along with their medal.

Images for kids

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  The "First Navy Ensign" was an early naval flag used from 1776 to 1777.

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  A possible design for the naval jack from 1776–1777.

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  A Jewish worship pennant, used during services for Jewish personnel.

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  The Red Cross flag, flown on hospital ships.

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  Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Defense

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  Flag of an Under Secretary of Defense

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  Flag of the Secretary of the Army

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  Flag of the Secretary of the Navy

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  Flag of the Secretary of the Air Force

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  Flag of the Under Secretary of the Army

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  Flag of the Under Secretary of the Navy

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  Flag of the Under Secretary of the Air Force

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  Flag of an Assistant Secretary of the Army

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  Flag of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy

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  Flag of an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

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  Flag of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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  Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Army

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  Flag of the Commandant of the Marine Corps

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  Flag of the Chief of Naval Operations

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  Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force

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  Flag of the Chief of Space Operations

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  Flag of the Commandant of the Coast Guard

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  Flag of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau

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  Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army

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  Flag of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations

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  Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force

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  Flag of the Vice Chief of Space Operations

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  Flag of the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard

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  Flag of the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau

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  Flag of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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  Flag of the Sergeant Major of the Army

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  Flag of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

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  Flag of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force

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  Flag of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe

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  Flag of the Chief of the United States Army Reserve

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  Flag of the United States Army Surgeon General

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  Flag of the Judge Advocate General of the Army

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  Flag of the Chief of Engineers of the Army

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  Flag of the Chief of Chaplains of the Army

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  Flag of the Army Provost Marshal General

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  Flag of the Inspector General of the Army

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  Flag of a General of the Army (five stars)

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  Flag of a Navy Fleet Admiral (five stars)

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  Flag of a General of the Air Force (five stars)

See also

• Guidon (United States)