Flags and pennants serve various functions throughout the world. They have identified nations, governments, rank, and ownership and have conveyed messages for centuries. This section introduces flags and pennants that identify persons and ships and transmit information and orders. On special occasions, flags are used as a decoration, such as “dress ship.”

The Navy uses the international alphabet flags; numeral pennants and a code/answer pennant; a set of numeral flags, special flags, and pennants; and four substitutes, or repeaters.

Each alphabet flag has the phonetic name of the letter it represents. A numeral flag takes the name of the numeral it represents; numeral pennants are used only in call signals. Special flags and pennants are used in tactical maneuvers to direct changes in speed, position, formation, and course; to indicate and identify units; and for specialized purposes. Flags and pennants are spoken and written as shown in images below.






IMAGES ARE FROM BMR NAVEDTRA