UNITED STATES NAVY

CURRENT ENSIGNS & FLAGS

Notes

The national flag of the United States also serves as the nation's naval ensign. The jack--officially titled the Union Jack--is the union or canton of the ensign, and by regulation it is the same size as the canton of the ensign with which it is being flown. In the US Bicentennial Year (1976), all ships of the US Navy were ordered to wear the First Navy Jack in place of the Union Jack. This historical naval flag dates from the American Revolution and is one of the many "rattlesnake flags" of the period. After 1976 the First Navy Jack remained in use. As a special distinction, it was permitted to be worn by the oldest US warship in regular commission. In 2003, the Secretary of the Navy ordered all US Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack for the duration of the war on terrorism. The Commission Pennant is worn at all times by all US warships in commission except when a ship is under the command of a flag officer, in which case the appropriate rank flag is flown instead.

The Navy Battalion Flag served as the parade and ceremonial flag of the US Navy until replaced by the current United States Navy Flag. Today it is used as a unit flag ashore, especially at training establishments, and unit designations may be added to it. Navy company and squadron guidons are based on the Battalion Flag. Companies of the Brigade of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland) have yellow guidons with blue company numbers and a blue border for the Color Company.

 

NATIONAL ENSIGN
 

              

   Left: UNION JACK     Right: FIRST NAVY JACK
 

COMMISSION PENNANT
 

UNIT FLAGS
 

                        

Left: NAVY BATTALION FLAG          Right: SEABEE BATTALIONS
 

GUIDONS
 

                   

Left: Ships' Companies          Right: Air Squadrons
 

BRIGADE OF MIDSHIPMEN
 

                   

Left: Company Guidon          Right: Color Company Guidon

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