What it means when the music plays Published Oct. 11, 2006 By Master Sgt. Michael Owen 21st Space Wing Special Projects PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Music echoes across the base at different times throughout the day, but what does the music signify? Reveille plays at 7 a.m., Retreat at 5:30 p.m. and Taps at 10 p.m. These daily ceremonies are deeply rooted in military history and provide us an opportunity to show respect to our flag, our country, and our fellow Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines standing in harm's way around the world. Recently the questions arose as how to properly show respect during these ceremonies. Protocol defines how we demonstrate respect and much of this is spelled out in Title 4 and Title 36 of the United States Code and in Air Force Manual 36-2203, Drill and Ceremonies. Reveille Reveille was originally conducted as "Troop" in 1812 and was designed to muster the unit for roll call. On Peterson, Reveille is sounded at 7 a.m. and signals the start of the official duty day. Because the base flag is displayed 24-hours a day and Reveille is not followed by "To the Colors" or our national anthem, no action is required. Retreat The bugle call sounded at retreat dates back to the Crusades. Retreat was sounded at sunset to notify sentries to start challenging until sunrise, and to tell the rank and file to go to their quarters. The ceremony remains a tradition today. Retreat is sounded at 5:30 p.m. followed immediately by the playing of our national anthem. This ceremony signals the end of the official duty day and serves as an opportunity to pay respect to the flag. Individuals outdoors and in uniform should face the flag or the sound of the music and stand at parade rest during the sounding of Retreat. Upon hearing the first note of the national anthem, come to the position of attention and salute. Maintain that position until the last note of the anthem is sounded. When in civilian clothing outdoors, both military members and civilians, take the same actions as when in uniform, but use the following manner to show respect. Men remove their hats with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart. Men without hats and women salute by standing at attention and placing their right hand over their heart. Taps Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to evoke emotion than the 24 notes of Taps. Although the origin of Taps is somewhat clouded in history, it most likely traces back to the early days of the Civil War. Taps is sounded at 10 p.m. Proper protocol dictates that military members outdoors and in uniform will face the sound of the music and salute. Individuals in civilian attire should face the sound of the music and show respect by placing their hand over their heart in the same manner as previously mentioned. Maintain that position until the last note of Taps is sounded. If on base, in a vehicle and you hear Retreat, the national anthem, or Taps, safely stop the vehicle and sit quietly at the position of attention until the last note of music is played. Respect is a verb... an action. By knowing the proper actions to take during these ceremonies you can show respect for the values our flag and our country represent.