13-1. The term “retreat” is taken from the French word “retraite” and refers to the evening ceremony. The bugle call sounded at retreat was first used in the French army and dates to the Crusades. Retreat was sounded at sunset to notify sentries to start challenging until sunrise, and to tell the rank and file to go to their quarters. The ceremony remains as a tradition. The old Cavalry call “To the Standard,” in use from about 1835, has been replaced by the present call of “To the Color.” This remains as music honoring the flag as it is lowered in the evening.
Retreat Sequence of Events
13-2. The sequence of events for conducting retreat are discussed herein:
- The unit is formed facing the flag 5 minutes (if possible) before the sounding of retreat. Four minutes before the sounding of retreat, the adjutant or other appointed officer takes their position centered on and facing the line of troops and commands Battalion, ATTENTION and then Parade, REST.
- The adjutant faces about and executes Parade Rest. On the last note of retreat, the evening gun is fired. The adjutant then comes to Attention, faces about, and commands Battalion, ATTENTION and Present, ARMS so that the unit is at Present Arms when the first note of “To the Color” or national anthem is sounded. The adjutant then faces about and executes Present Arms. The adjutant’s Salute is the signal for the band to begin playing “To the Color.”
- At the last note of “To the Color” or the national anthem, the adjutant faces about, commands Order, ARMS, and then directs TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR UNITS. Unit commanders render the Hand Salute. The adjutant returns all Salutes with one Salute. This terminates the retreat formation.
Note. When subordinate units stand at retreat, not as a part of a major command, the sequence is the same except the unit commander gives the commands.
Command Retreat History
13-3. Command retreat is a ceremony conducted with all members of the command present. Normally, it is conducted by a battalion or larger unit. In the 18th century, command retreat was a daily occurrence, not to honor the flag but as a signal for units to call the roll as a final accounting before reveille the following morning.
Command Retreat Sequence of Events
13-4. The sequence of events for conducting command retreat are discussed herein:
- The unit is formed in line formation facing the flag (if possible). Subunits may be in mass formation. Subunits are brought to Attention at the approach of the commander and their staff, or at a predesignated signal.
- The COT forms their staff in line, takes their position two steps in front of the staff, and marches them to a position centered on and in front of the line of troops. The COT gives the proper commands to have themselves and their staff facing the line of troops when halted.
- The adjutant, as soon as the staff is halted and without command, moves from their position with the staff to a position midway between the COT and the line of unit commanders. The adjutant commands REPORT. All unit commanders salute and report in succession from right to left “Sir or Ma’am, company all present or accounted for.” The adjutant returns each Salute. The adjutant then commands Present, ARMS, faces about, Salutes, and reports to the COT “Sir or Ma’am, all present or accounted for.”
- The COT returns the Salute and directs POST. The adjutant moves to their position with the staff. The COT commands Order, ARMS.
- The left flank member of the staff gives the commands to move the staff from behind the COT to a position two steps in front of the COT. The COT commands Parade, REST. If a band or field music is to be used, the commander comes to Attention at the appointed time and commands SOUND RETREAT. They then return to Parade Rest.
- On the last note of “Retreat,” the evening gun is fired and the COT commands Battalion, ATTENTION and Present, ARMS. The COT then executes About Face and commands themselves and their staff to Present, ARMS. The commander’s Salute is the signal for the band to begin playing “To the Color” or the national anthem as the flag is lowered.
- After the last note of music, the COT commands themselves and their staff to Order, ARMS, faces about, commands Order, ARMS and directs TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR UNITS. The unit commanders render the Hand Salute. The COT returns all Salutes with one Salute. The COT then marches their staff away or dismisses them.
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