Happy Birthday, United States Space Force

100% American-made United States Space Force flags from LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®
100% American-made United States Space Force flags from LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®

Though U. S. military forays into space began immediately following WWII (circa 1945) with the development of ballistic missile and early warning programs, the United States Space Force was not a recognized branch of the United States Armed Forces until late in 2019.

The U.S. Space Force is the smallest branch of our armed forces with just under 5,000 personnel and fewer than 100 operating craft. The U.S. Space Force partners with other branches and uniformed services to complete its missions and, as of this writing, it is the only space-based military branch in the world.

On December 20 each year, we celebrate the 2019 founding of the United States Space Force.

Flying the Space Force Flag Outdoors

The Department of Defense Directive 1005.8 asserts the order of precedence of military personnel, which we can safely assume mirrors that of military flags on an Outdoor Flagpole. That list is in this order: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Flag moves up right behind Navy when the Coast Guard operates as a service of the Department of the Navy during a time of war. As of this writing, the D.O.D. Directive has not been updated to include the Space Force flag (current as of 2003).

The addition of the Space Force flag has, therefore, generated some confusion. Most visible examples show the Space Force flag placed between the Air Force and Coast Guard flags. However, though it meets with historic precedent and follows the same guiding reasoning, this precedence has not been documented in writing that we have found.

In a mandatory directive from the Secretary of The Air Force (downloadable here) in August of 2020, the Space Force flag is ordered to be flown in the sixth position, after the Coast Guard flag (as pictured throughout our website).

When the flags are being flown on multiple Outdoor Flagpoles, the American Flag should always be flown first in line. If you are flying the Space Force Flag on the same pole as your American Flag, it should be of equal size or smaller and flown below the American Flag.

Displaying the Space Force Flag Indoors

When displaying Indoor Ceremonial Flags, the order of precedence remains the same as when they are displayed outdoors. The Indoor American Ceremonial Flag is always displayed first in the order. It’s also important to remember that when a Military Ceremonial flag is presented by a color guard, either indoors, during a parade, or on the playing field, a Parade Carry Belt must be worn.

Military Desk Flags and sets are another way to show your support for U.S. Armed Forces. Desk flags are small and versatile; they can be displayed on a podium, a desk, or even a window sill. These small flags can also be waved during a parade or celebration for the U.S. Space Force Birthday.

100% American-made United States Space Force flags from LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®
100% American-made United States Space Force flags from LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®

How Do You Celebrate Our Space Force Personnel?

Send us your pictures of Space Force flags, American flags, flagpoles, ropes, or other accessories! We would be honored to feature your photography in our blog or on Facebook. Remember, photos of damaged flags and accessories are valuable, too.

Do you have suggestions for information you'd like to see here? If so, please send them our way!

Please send all of your suggestions or questions to service@LibertyFlags.com. We want to hear from you!

Have a great day, from your friends at LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®.

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