This is an unofficial resource. For the official MARADMINs site, visit marines.mil
Back to MARADMINs
MARADMIN 413/20

Public Display or Depiction of Flags in the Marine Corps

This MARADMIN implements Department of Defense and Department of Navy guidance on the public display of flags in Marine Corps facilities and workspaces. It specifies which flags are authorized for display (including the American flag, state flags, military service flags, POW/MIA flag, and allied nation flags) and applies to all Marine Corps workplaces, common areas, and public spaces including offices, barracks, vehicles, and government housing. The guidance maintains the prohibition on Confederate battle flag displays from MARADMIN 331/20.

Issued: July 17, 2020
1.  REF A REMAINS IN EFFECT.  IN REF B THE UNDER SECRETARY, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECNAV, DIRECTED COMMANDERS IMPLEMENT THE SECDEF'S DIRECTION IN REF C AS SUMMARIZED IN PARAGRAPH 3 AND 4 BELOW.  
2.  APPLICABILITY.  THIS MARADMIN APPLIES TO THE TOTAL FORCE.
3.  ACTION.
3.A.  SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ARE AUTHORIZED TO DISPLAY OR DEPICT REPRESENTATIONAL FLAGS THAT PROMOTE UNITY AND ESPRIT DE CORPS, INCLUDING:
3.A.1.  AMERICAN FLAG;
3.A.2.  FLAGS OF U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA;
3.A.3.  MILITARY SERVICE FLAGS;
3.A.4.  FLAG OR GENERAL OFFICER FLAGS;
3.A.5.  PRESIDENTIALLY-APPOINTED, SENATE-CONFIRMED CIVILIAN FLAGS;
3.A.6.  SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE (SES) AND MILITARY  DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC SES FLAGS;
3.A.7.  THE PRISONER OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION (POW/MIA) FLAG;
3.A.8.  FLAGS OF OTHER COUNTRIES, FOR WHICH THE UNITED STATES IS AN ALLY OR PARTNER, OR FOR OFFICIAL PROTOCOL PURPOSES;
3.A.9.  FLAGS OF ORGANIZATIONS IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES IS A MEMBER (E.G., NATO); AND
3.A.10.  CEREMONIAL, COMMAND, UNIT, OR BRANCH FLAGS OR GUIDONS.
3.B.  THIS GUIDANCE APPLIES TO PUBLIC DISPLAYS OR DEPICTIONS OF FLAGS BY SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES IN ALL MARINE CORPS WORK PLACES, COMMON ACCESS AREAS, AND PUBLIC AREAS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
3.B.1.  OFFICE BUILDINGS, FACILITIES, NAVAL VESSELS, AIRCRAFT, GOVERNMENT VEHICLES, HANGARS, GARAGES, READY ROOMS, CONFERENCE ROOMS, INDIVIDUAL OFFICES, CUBICLES, STORAGE ROOMS, TOOL AND EQUIPMENT ROOMS, WORKSHOPS, BREAK ROOMS, KITCHENS/GALLEYS, RECREATIONAL AREAS, COMMISSARIES, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AND ARMY AND AIR FORCE EXCHANGES, AND HEADS/LATRINES/RESTROOMS -- INCLUDING PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS OFF INSTALLATION LEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
3.B.2.  SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION FACILITIES AND OTHER SECURE FACILITIES;
3.B.3.  OPEN-BAY BARRACKS, BERTHING AREAS, AND COMMON AREAS OF BARRACKS AND BACHELOR QUARTERS;
3.B.4.  SCHOOL HOUSES AND TRAINING FACILITIES; AND
3.B.5.  ALL SPACES OR ITEMS IN PUBLIC OR PLAIN VIEW, SUCH AS THE OUTSIDE AREAS OF ANY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUILDINGS AND GOVERNMENT-OPERATED OR PUBLIC-PRIVATE VENTURE HOUSING (E.G., PARKING LOTS, YARDS, GAZEBOS, OR PORCHES).
3.C.  LIMITATIONS.
3.C.1.  THE PUBLIC DISPLAY OR DEPICTION OF UNAUTHORIZED FLAGS IN MUSEUM EXHIBITS, STATE-ISSUED LICENSE PLATES, GRAVE SITES, MEMORIAL MARKERS, MONUMENTS, EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS, HISTORICAL DISPLAYS, OR WORKS OF ART, WHERE THE NATURE OF THE DISPLAY OR DEPICTION CANNOT REASONABLY BE VIEWED AS ENDORSEMENT OF THE FLAG BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, IS NOT PROHIBITED.
4.  ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.
4.A.  I EXPECT ALL COMMANDERS TO EXERCISE THEIR AUTHORITY IN A WAY THAT MAINTAINS UNIT COHESION AND GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE, WHILE RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF MARINES AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.  COMMANDERS MUST EXERCISE BEST JUDGMENT AND DISCRETION CONSISTENT WITH THIS MARADMIN.  COMMANDERS ENCOUNTERING QUESTIONABLE SITUATIONS SHALL CONSULT WITH THEIR STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE, OR LOCAL COUNSEL.
5.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOHN J. BROADMEADOW, DIRECTOR, MARINE CORPS STAFF.