DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE — On July 17, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, provided guidance to Defense senior leaders and commanders on the public display or depiction of flags in the Department of Defense. Esper noted that flags are powerful symbols, particularly in the military community for whom flags embody a common mission, common histories, and the special, timeless bonds of warriors. The secretary also noted that the flags flown across military installations must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating everyone with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols.

In addition to honoring the American flag, which is the principal flag that DoD is authorized and encouraged to display, Esper provided a list of other flags, or representational depictions, that service members and civilian employees are authorized to display that promote unity and esprit de corps. The policy does not specifically mention the Confederate battle flag, but it is not listed among the flags permitted to be displayed.

“With this change in policy, we will further improve the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the force in defense of our great Nation,” Esper said.

Secretary Esper said he remains committed to fielding the most powerful military force the world has known by strengthening the bonds of the DoD’s most valuable resource — its people.

The new policy comes amid an ongoing debate about the display of the Confederate flag and whether military installations named after Confederate officers should be renamed.

The full memo can be found on defense.gov.