Ruffles and Flourishes


Ruffles and Flourishes are sounded to render personal honors and precede prescribed music for personnel being honored. Ruffles (played by the drums) and Flourishes (played by bugle or selected brass instruments) are played simultaneously. Ruffles and Flourishes are played in the concert key of B-flat when they precede the National Anthem, Hail to the Chief, and the General's March. Ruffles and Flourishes are played in the concert key of A-flat when they precede Hail Columbia and the Flag Officer's March. (Source: AR600-25, 1 September 1983, Table 2-1)

Number of
Ruffles and Flourishes

March to be Performed
Immediately Following
Rank of Person
Being Honored
Four Ruffles and Flourishes National Anthem or Hail to the Chief President of the United States of America
Four Ruffles and Flourishes National Anthem Ex-President or President-Elect
Four Ruffles and Flourishes National Anthem of foreign country Sovereign or Chief of State of a foreign country or member of reigning royal family
Four Ruffles and Flourishes Hail Columbia Vice President of the United States of America
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Speaker of the House of Representatives
Four Ruffles and Flourishes National anthem of United States or official’s country American or foreign ambassador, or high commissioner while in country to which accredited
Four Ruffles and Flourishes National anthem of official’s country Premier or Prime Minister
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Secretary of Defense
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Cabinet member, President pro tempore of Senate, governor of a State, or Chief Justice of the United States
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Deputy Secretary of defense
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Secretary of the Army
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Secretary of Navy or Air Force
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Under Secretary of Defense
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Director of Defense Research and Engineering
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Chief of Staff, United States Army; Chief of Naval Operations; Chief of Staff, United States Air Force; or Commandant of the Marine Corps
Four Ruffles and Flourishes General's March (Army & Air Force) or Flag Officer's March (Navy) General of the Army, Fleet Admiral, or General of the Air Force
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Chairman of a Committee of Congress
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Assistant Secretaries of Defense and General Counsel of the Department of Defense
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Governor of a Territory or foreign possession within the limits of his jurisdiction
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Under Secretary of the Army
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Under Secretary of the Navy or Air Force
Four Ruffles and Flourishes General's March Four Star General
Four Ruffles and Flourishes Flag Officer's March Four Star Admiral
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Assistant Secretary of the Army
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Assistant Secretary of the Navy or Air Force′
Four Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” American ambassadors having returned to United States on official business
Three Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” American envoys, American ambassadors having returned to United States but not on official business, or ministers and foreign envoys or ministers accredited in the United States
Three Ruffles and Flourishes General's March Lieutenant General (Three Star)
Three Ruffles and Flourishes Flag Officer's March Vice Admiral (Three Star)
Two Ruffles and Flourishes General's March Major General (Two Star)
Two Ruffles and Flourishes Flag Officer's March Rear Admiral (Two Star, upper–half)
Two Ruffles and Flourishes 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” American ministers resident and ministers resident accredited to the United States
One Ruffle and Flourish 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” American charges d’ affaires and charges d’ affaires accredited to the United States
One Ruffle and Flourish General's March Brigadier General (One Star)
One Ruffle and Flourish Flag Officer's March Rear Admiral (One Star, lower–half)
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 32–bar medley of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” Consuls general accredited to the United States

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