UNITED STATES ARMY

GENERAL OFFICERS' RANK FLAGS

General officers of the US Army are authorized to display individual rank flags of two types: ceremonial colors for indoor display and parade use, and field flags. Designs are as follows: All rank flags have a solid-color field with white stars. For general officers of the Army Medical Department the field is maroon, for general officers of the Chaplains Corps it is purple, and for all other generals it is scarlet. For a General of the Army, the ceremonial color's dimensions are 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly  plus 2 1/2-inch yellow fringe. For all other generals, dimensions are 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly  plus 2 1/2-inch yellow fringe. Ceremonial colors are made of heavyweight rayon banner cloth. Outdoor versions without fringe, called field flags, are also authorized; these are made of wool or wool/nylon bunting in the same dimensions as the fringed flags. All general officers are issued the appropriate rank flag and a corresponding National Color. These flags become the general's personal property and are authorized for retention by the individual upon promotion to the next higher grade or retirement from active duty. Field flags are unit property and are not authorized for retention by individuals. Since there is now no active or retired officer in the rank of General of the Army, flags for this rank, though described in regulations, are not actually in use. Note on the Music: On occasions of ceremony, general officers of the Army receive from one to four ruffles and flourishes according to rank (one per star; a full General and a General of the Army both receive four). When a full band is present, ruffles and flourishes are followed by the "General's March" (open in new tab). On this page, the United States Army Ceremonial Band sounds honors for general officers. Images Added August 2012 Field Flags: General, Major General, Major General (Chaplains Corps), Brigadier General (Army Medical Department)

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