SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cadet-reveille-out-of-formation

You're outdoors in uniform, not in a formation, when Reveille starts playing. What do you do?

Face the flag or the music and stand at parade rest.

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  1. Face the flag or music at parade rest ✔
  2. Salute right away until all music ends
  3. Keep walking quietly

Why: During Reveille itself you stand at parade rest. When the national anthem or 'To the Color' follows, you salute on its first note until the music stops.

Huh, didn't know that: On Army bases the custom is different: people salute during Reveille too.

The dad joke
Why did the cadet stop for Reveille? It was the perfect note to start the day.
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References

Answer: Face the flag or music at parade rest. During Reveille itself you stand at parade rest. When the national anthem or 'To the Color' follows, you salute on its first note until the music stops.

  1. CAPP 60-33, Civil Air Patrol Drill and Ceremonies (Nov 2025), 6.10.3 www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/P_6033_2217FEEE8C89F.pdf
    face the flag (if visible) or music and assume the position of parade rest.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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