The Pentagon, on Friday, July 17th, unveiled a New Policy that effectively Bans the Display of the Confederate Flag, without actually naming it.

The Policy, Reflects an Effort to find a Compromise on the Divisive Issue.

A Draft Version of the Policy Bans the Confederate Flag on Defense Department property, by Removing it from the Official List of flags.

In addition to the American flag, Service Members and Civilian Employees are Authorized to Display or Depict Representational Flags that Promote Unity and Esprit de Corps, including:

• Flags of U.S. States and Territories and the District of Columbia.

• Military Service Flags.

• Flag or General Officer Flags.

• Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed Civilian Flags.

• Senior Executive Service (SES) and Military Department-specific SES Flags.

• The POW/MIA Flag.

• Flags of other Countries, for which the U.S. is an Ally or Partner, or for Official Protocol purposes.

• Flags of Organizations in which the U.S. is a Member ( e.g., NATO).

• Ceremonial, Command, Unit, or Branch Flags or Guidons.

This Guidance applies to Public Displays or Depictions of Flags by Service Members and Civilian Employees in All Department of Defense Work Places, Common Access Areas, and Public areas, Including, but Not limited to:

• Aircraft; Break Rooms; Commissaries; Conference Rooms; Cubicles; Facilities; Garages; Government Vehicles; Hangars; Heads/Latrines/Restrooms; Individual Offices; Kitchens/Galleys; Military Exchanges; Naval Vessels; Office Buildings; Ready Rooms; Recreational areas; Storage Rooms; Tool and Equipment Rooms; and Workshops, including Property and Buildings off Installation Leased by the Department.

• Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities and other Secure Facilities.

• Open-bay Barracks, Berthing areas, and Common Areas of Barracks and Bachelor Quarters.

• School Houses and Training Facilities.

• All Spaces or Items in Public or Plain View, such as the Outside areas of Any Department of Defense Buildings and Government-operated or Public-Private Venture Housing (e.g., Gazebos, Parking Lots, Porches or Yards).

The Public Display or Depiction of Unauthorized Flags in: Educational Displays; Grave Sites; Historical Displays; Memorial Markers; Monuments; Museum Exhibits; State-Issued License Plates; or Works of Art, where the Nature of the Display or Depiction cannot reasonably be Viewed as Endorsement of the Flag by the Department of Defense, is Not Prohibited.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker