Marine corps drill and ceremonies manual - Regimental Drum Major ...

e. The field music sounds attention upon the appearance of the
visiting personage, and the honor guard is called to attention. The host
welcomes the personage and escorts him to a position directly in front of
and facing the commander of the honor guard, and takes his position to the
left of the personage. The distance of this position from that of the
commander of the honor guard will depend on local conditions, but it
should be sufficient to permit the band and honor guard to pass in review.
If sufficient space is not available to permit the march in review, the
host will so inform the personage. The commander of the honor guard then
executes carry sword, faces about, brings the honor guard to present arms,
faces about again, and presents sword.
f. As the commander of the honor guard executes present sword, the
band plays the appropriate honors. If a gun salute is to be fired, it is
begun immediately after the last note of music. During the rendering of
honors and the firing of the gun salute, all observers in the vicinity of
the honor guard formation stand at attention facing the personage, or if
he is not in view, toward the honor guard formation. Observers in uniform
shall salute during the playing of musical honors and the gun salute. The
personage, the host, and members of the official parties of both also
salute during the playing of musical honors and the firing of the gun
salute.
g. If a personal flag or a foreign national flag is to be displayed
during the visit, it is hoisted at the first note of music. If a foreign
national flag is to be displayed during the gun salute, it is hoisted or
unfurled at the sound of the first gun and hauled down, or furled, at the
sound of the last. If the personage merits display of the national flag
of the United States during the gun salute, it is not necessary to display
another ensign if one is already flying from the flagstaff of the
installation.
h. On completion of musical honors or the gun salute, the commander
of the honor guard executes carry sword, faces about, brings the honor
guard to order arms, faces about again, executes present sword, and
reports, "Sir, the honor guard is formed."
i. If the personage desires to inspect the honor guard, the host
escorts the personage to a position 3 paces in front of the position of
the commander of the honor guard. The commander of the honor guard
executes carry sword, faces about, and commands, PREPARE FOR INSPECTION.
When all platoons have opened ranks, and platoon commanders are in
position and facing to the front, the commander of the honor guard faces
about, executes present sword, and reports, "Sir, the honor guard is
prepared for your inspection." He guides the personage, accompanied by
the host and others of the official party, through the inspection,
remaining at carry sword. The inspection commences at the right front of
the band and proceeds along the line of platoons. As the personage halts
in front of a platoon commander, the platoon commander executes present
sword and, after being personally inspected, executes carry sword, places
himself on the right of the personage, and precedes him throughout the
inspection of the platoon. Each man will execute the movements to
inspection arms for his weapon as the personage to be honored approaches,
regardless of whether this personage halts and faces him directly or not.
Upon completion of the inspection of his platoon, the platoon commander,
having led the personage down the rear of the last squad, executes column
left and halts at the right front of his platoon. He exchanges salutes
with the personage, permits the personage and host to pass in front of
him, closes ranks, and resumes his post 6 paces in front of the platoon.
Salutes are rendered by the inspecting party when passing in front of
the colors, but not when passing them to the rear. After completing
inspection of the platoon(s), the inspecting party passes around the rear
of the formation and the right flank of the band to a point at the right
front of the band. At this point, the commander of the honor guard halts,
exchanges salutes with the personage, permits the personage and host to
pass in front of him, returns to his post, and executes order sword. The
band plays during the inspection of the honor guard.
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