UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

CURRENT POSITION & RANK FLAGS

The rank flags of the US Marine Corps are similar to those of the Army and the Navy, having the scarlet field of the former and the arrangement of stars of the latter. The only USMC positional color is that of the Commandant, with the Corp's famous globe, anchor and eagle badge centered within four stars. (The Commandant is always a full general.) The design of the Commandant's color dates from the 1920s; the other general officer's flags were adopted during World War II. There are two versions of each flag: one made of rayon banner cloth with yellow fringe for ceremonial and indoor use, and one without fringe made in various sizes for use at sea or in the field. The Commandant's positional color measures 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly, plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. All other ceremonial/indoor rank flags measure 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. The Commandant's positional color and general officer rank flags are always carried or displayed with a National Color of identical dimensions. See also US Navy Positional Colors & Rank Flags Credit: My illustrations are based on information provided by FOTW Mailing List member Joseph McMillan. Note on the Music: Senior government officials, including those of the Department of the Navy, are entitled to musical honors on occasions of ceremony: four ruffles and flourishes followed by the grandioso (last 32 bars) of "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Flag officers of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive from one to four ruffles and flourishes according to rank (one per star; a full Admiral and a Fleet Admiral both receive four). When a full band is present, ruffles and flourishes are followed by the "Flag Officer's March." On this page, the United States Navy Band sounds honors for USMC general officers (open in new tab). Image Added September 2013 Commandant's Flag for Use at Sea & in the Field

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