flag displays on boats. The Navy uses many different flags and pennants to identify persons, ships, and events and to communicate information to others. You are probably familiar with many of them. Do you know the conditions under which our flag is displayed in a small boat? Is any flag or pennant flown superior to the national ensign? How do you know when an officer of flag rank is embarked in a boat?  If  you  do  not  know  the  answers  to  these questions, you should review the material in  Basic Military Requirements, NAVEDTRA 14277. SIDE HONORS.—Side  honors,  rendered  to officers and officials boarding and departing the ship, are part of the honors stipulated for an official visit. The honors consist of parading the proper number of side boys and piping the side by the honors boatswain’s mate. Officers appropriate to the occasion also attend the side. Side boys are not paraded on Sunday or on other days between sunset and 0800 or during meal hours of the crew, general drills and evolutions, and periods of regular overhaul, except in honor of civil officials and foreign officers. Then side boys may be paraded at any time during daylight hours. Side boys are paraded only for scheduled (official) visits. The term official means a formal visit of courtesy requiring special honors and ceremonies. An informal visit of courtesy requiring no special ceremonies is a call. Honors  for  Official  Visits.—The  honors specified for an official visit are rendered on arrival as follows: 1.  When the rail is manned, personnel are spaced uniformly at the rail on each weather deck, facing outboard. 2.  The command  “Attention”  is sounded as the visitor’s boat or vehicle approaches the ship. 3.   If a gun salute is prescribed on arrival, it is fired as the visitor approaches and is still clear of the side. The proper  flag  or  pennant  is  broken  on  the  first  gun  and hauled down on the last gun except when it is to be flown for   the   duration   of   the   visit.   Other   ships   firing   a concurrent  salute  also  haul  down,  on  the  last  gun,  the flag or pennant displayed in honor of the visitor. If  the  ship  visited  is  moored  to  the  pier  in  such  a position  that  it  is  impractical  to  render  the  gun  salute before arrival on board, the salute is rendered—provided  local  regulations  do  not  forbid gun salutes— after the official arrives on board and the commanding officer is sure that the dignitary and party are moved to a position in the ship that is well clear of the saluting battery. 4.   The   boat   or   vehicle   is   piped   as   it   comes alongside. 5.   The visitor is piped over the side; and all persons on  the  quarterdeck  salute  and  the  guard  presents  arms until  the  termination  of  the  pipe,  flourishes,  music,  or gun salute, depending on which is rendered last. 6.   If the gun salute is not prescribed on arrival and a flag or pennant is to be displayed during the visit, it is broken at the start of the pipe. 7.   The piping of the side, the ruffles and flourishes, and  the  music  are  executed  in  the  order  named.  In  the absence  of  a  band,  “To  the  Colors”  is  sounded  on  the bugle, instead of the national anthem, when required. 8.   The  visitor,  if  entitled  to  11  guns  or  more,  is invited to inspect the guard upon completion of the gun salute or is given such other honors as may be accorded. On departure, the honors prescribed for an official visit are as follows: 1.   The rail is manned, if required. 2.   The  command  “Attention”  is  sounded  as  the visitor arrives on the quarterdeck. 3.   When  the  visitor  is  ready  to  leave  the  ship,  the guard  presents  arms,  all  persons  on  the  quarterdeck salute, and ruffles and flourishes, followed by music, is sounded.  The  visitor  then  is  piped  over  the  side.  The salute  and  present  arms  terminates  with  the  call.  If  no gun  salute  is  fired,  the  flag  or  pennant  displayed  in honor of the visitor is hauled down. 4.   The boat or vehicle is piped away from the side. 5.   If  a  gun  salute  is  directed  upon  departure,  it  is fired  when  the  visitor  is  clear  of  the  side.  If  a  flag  or pennant is displayed in honor of the visitor, it is hauled down with the last gun of the salute. When  possible,  the  same  honors  and  ceremonies are rendered for an official visit to a naval station. Side Boys.—Sides boys is a traditional term that is used  for  male  and  female  members  of  this  detail.  As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the first impression a visitor   gets   of   your   ship   or   unit   is   that   of   the quarterdeck area. When side honors are rendered, side boys  are  usually  posted.  They  always  should  appear sharp  and  squared  away.  Their  uniforms  should  be immaculate,  and  their  hair  should  be  well  trimmed. They must be properly trained to perform their duties. 8-14