SIGNAL FLAGS
HARLAN R. DICKSON Division
Flags and Pennants
• Serve various Functions
–
–
–
–
–
–
Identify Nations
Identify Governments
Identify Rank
Identify Ownership
Convey Messages
Used as Decorations
– DRESS SHIP
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
U.S. Navy Uses
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
International Alphabet Flags
Numeral Pennants
Code/Answer Pennants
Numeral Flags
Special Flags
Pennants
Four Substitutes or Repeaters
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabet Flags
• Uses the phonetic name of the letter it represents.
•
•
•
•
•
A – Alpha
B – Bravo
C – Charlie
D – Delta
Etc…
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeral Flags
• Take the name of the numeral they represent.
–
–
–
–
–
–
1 – One
2 – Two
3 – Three
4 – Four
5 – Five
Etc…
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeral Pennants
• Used only in call signals
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Special Flags and Pennants
• Used to indicate tactical maneuvers
–
–
–
–
To
To
To
To
direct
direct
direct
direct
changes
changes
changes
changes
in
in
in
in
speed
position
formation
course
• Indicate the identity of the unit
• Specialized purposes
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Importance of Learning Signal Flags
Used in the Naval Service
• They are frequently seen displayed aboard
Navy ships or stations
• This form of communication is centuries old
and is widely used in the Navy today
• Your personal safety may depend on
recognizing a particular signal flag
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flags
• I have a diver down
• Keep well clear at slow
speed
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flags
• I am taking in dangerous
materials
• I am discharging dangerous
materials
• I am carrying dangerous
materials
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flags
• This ship has medical guard
duty
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flag
• This ship has dental guard
duty
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flags
• I am in distress
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flags
• Man Overboard
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Emergency Warning Flags
• Breakdown
• This vessel is having engine
or steering difficulty
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flags
• The ship has a harbor pilot
on board
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Preparing to come alongside
in port
• Preparing to come alongside
at anchor
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• I have a semaphore
message to transmit
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• General Recall
– All personnel return to the
ship
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Boat Recall
– All boats return to the ship
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Flown by ships having ready
duty while in port
• Flown by ships preparing to
replenish while at sea
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Holding flag hoist drill
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• This ship has visual
communications duty
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Indicates the absence of the
flag officer whose personal flag
or pennant is flying on the ship
• Indicates the absence of the
unit commander whose
personal flag or pennant is
flying on the ship
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Indicates the absence of the
chief of staff
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Indicates the absence of the
captain.
• IF captain’s absence is
greater than 72 hours –
then this flag is used to
indicate the absence of the
executive officer (XO)
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Admiral
• Fleet Admiral
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Vice Admiral
• Rear Admiral
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Administrative Flag
• Commodore
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• A
• Alpha
• B
• Bravo
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• C
• Charlie
• D
• Delta
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• E
• Echo
• F
• Foxtrot
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• G
• Golf
• H
• Hotel
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• I
• India
• J
• Juliett
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• K
• Kilo
• L
• Lima
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• M
• Mike
• N
• November
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• O
• Oscar
• P
• Papa
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• Q
• Quebec
• R
• Romeo
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• S
• Sierra
• T
• Tango
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• U
• Uniform
• V
• Victor
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• W
• Whiskey
• X
• X-Ray
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• Y
• Yankee
• Z
• Zulu
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeral Flags
• 1
• One
• 2
• Two
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeral Flags
• 3
• Three
• 4
• Four
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeral Flags
• 5
• Five
• 6
• Six
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeral Flags
• 7
• Seven
• 8
• Eight
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Alphabetic Flags
• 9
• Nine
• 0
• Zero
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeric Pennants
• P1
• Pennant One
• P2
• Pennant Two
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeric Pennants
• P3
• Pennant Three
• P4
• Pennant Four
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeric Pennants
• P5
• Pennant Five
• P6
• Pennant Six
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeric Pennants
• P7
• Pennant Seven
• P8
• Pennant Eight
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Numeric Pennant
• P9
• Pennant Nine
• P0
• Pennant Zero
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Substitute Pennants
• First Substitute
• First SUB
• 1st
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Substitute Pennants
• Second Substitute
• Second SUB
• 2nd
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Substitute Pennants
• Third Substitute
• Third SUB
• 3rd
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Substitute Pennants
• Fourth Substitute
• Fourth SUB
• 4th
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Code or Answer
• Code or ANS
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Screen
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Corpen
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Designation
• Desig
• DESIG
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Division
• Div
• DIV
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Emergency
• Emergency
• EMERG
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Formation
• Formation
• FORM
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Interrogative
• Interrogative
• INT
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Negative
• Negat
• NEGAT
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Preparative
• Prep
• PREP
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Port
• Port
• PORT
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Speed
• Speed
• SPEED
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Squadron
• Squad
• SQUAD
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Starboard
• Starboard
• STBD
COMPASS :: http://compass.seacadets.org/
U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Station
• Station
• STATION
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Subdivision
• Subdiv
• SUBDIV
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Turn
• Turn
• TURN
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Tack Line
• Tack
•
-
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Pennants and Flags
• Flotilla
• Flot
• FLOT
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U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps