USNSCC Signal Flags Prepared By: Cadet J. Peterson Harlan R. Dickson Division USNSCC Manchester, New Hampshire

Flags and Pennants  Serve various Functions Identify Nations Identify Governments Identify Rank Identify Ownership Convey Messages Used as Decorations DRESS SHIP

U.S. Navy Uses  International Alphabet Flags  Numeral Pennants  Code/Answer Pennants  Numeral Flags  Special Flags  Pennants  Four Substitutes or Repeaters

Alphabet Flags  Uses the phonetic name of the letter it represents.  A – Alpha  B – Bravo  C – Charlie  D – Delta  Etc…

Numeral Flags  Take the name of the numeral they represent. 1 – One 2 – Two 3 – Three 4 – Four 5 – Five Etc…

Numeral Pennants  Used only in call signals

Special Flags and Pennants  Used to indicate tactical maneuvers To direct changes in speed To direct changes in position To direct changes in formation To direct changes in course  Indicate the identity of the unit  Specialized purposes

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

Emergency Warning Flags  I have a diver down  Keep well clear at slow speed

Emergency Warning Flags  I am taking in dangerous materials  I am discharging dangerous materials  I am carrying dangerous materials

Emergency Warning Flags  This ship has medical guard duty

Emergency Warning Flag  This ship has dental guard duty

Emergency Warning Flags  I am in distress

Emergency Warning Flags  Man Overboard

Emergency Warning Flags  Breakdown  This vessel is having engine or steering difficulty

Administrative Flags  The ship has a harbor pilot on board

Administrative Flag  Preparing to come alongside in port  Preparing to come alongside at anchor

Administrative Flag  I have a semaphore message to transmit

Administrative Flag  General Recall All personnel return to the ship

Administrative Flag  Boat Recall All boats return to the ship

Administrative Flag  Flown by ships having ready duty while in port  Flown by ships preparing to replenish while at sea

Administrative Flag  Holding flag hoist drill

Administrative Flag  This ship has visual communications duty

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

Administrative Flag  Indicates the absence of the chief of staff

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)

Administrative Flag  Admiral  Fleet Admiral

Administrative Flag  Vice Admiral  Rear Admiral

Administrative Flag  Commodore

Alphabetic Flags  A  Alpha  B  Bravo

Alphabetic Flags  C  Charlie  D  Delta

Alphabetic Flags  E  Echo  F  Foxtrot

Alphabetic Flags  G  Golf  H  Hotel

Alphabetic Flags  I  India  J  Juliett

Alphabetic Flags  K  Kilo  L  Lima

Alphabetic Flags  M  Mike  N  November

Alphabetic Flags  O  Oscar  P  Papa

Alphabetic Flags  Q  Quebec  R  Romeo

Alphabetic Flags  S  Sierra  T  Tango

Alphabetic Flags  U  Uniform  V  Victor

Alphabetic Flags  W  Whiskey  X  X-Ray

Alphabetic Flags  Y  Yankee  Z  Zulu

Numeral Flags  1  One  2  Two

Numeral Flags  3  Three  4  Four

Numeral Flags  5  Five  6  Six

Numeral Flags  7  Seven  8  Eight

Alphabetic Flags  9  Nine  0  Zero

Numeric Pennants  P1  Pennant One  P2  Pennant Two

Numeric Pennants  P3  Pennant Three  P4  Pennant Four

Numeric Pennants  P5  Pennant Five  P6  Pennant Six

Numeric Pennants  P7  Pennant Seven  P8  Pennant Eight

Numeric Pennant  P9  Pennant Nine  P0  Pennant Zero

Substitute Pennants  First Substitute  First SUB  1st

Substitute Pennants  Second Substitute  Second SUB  2nd

Substitute Pennants  Third Substitute  Third SUB  3rd

Substitute Pennants  Fourth Substitute  Fourth SUB  4th

Pennants and Flags  Code or Answer  Code or ANS

Pennants and Flags  Screen

Pennants and Flags  Corpen

Pennants and Flags  Designation  Desig  DESIG

Pennants and Flags  Division  Div  DIV

Pennants and Flags  Emergency  EMERG

Pennants and Flags  Formation  FORM

Pennants and Flags  Interrogative  INT

Pennants and Flags  Negative  Negat  NEGAT

Pennants and Flags  Preparative  Prep  PREP

Pennants and Flags  Port  PORT

Pennants and Flags  Speed  SPEED

Pennants and Flags  Squadron  Squad  SQUAD

Pennants and Flags  Starboard  STBD

Pennants and Flags  Station  STATION

Pennants and Flags  Subdivision  Subdiv  SUBDIV

Pennants and Flags  Turn  TURN

Pennants and Flags  Tack Line  Tack  -

Pennants and Flags  Flotilla  Flot  FLOT