presentation of united states flag upon retirement

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News Release

Opm issues final regulations on flag recognition benefit for fallen civilian employees.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today issued the final regulations on the Flag Recognition Benefit for Fallen Federal Civilian Employees. The final regulations, published in the Federal Register, bestow an American flag to the beneficiaries of Federal civilian employees who lose their lives while serving the public.

“Authorizing agencies to present an American flag to the families or friends of the fallen is another way for us to pay tribute to their loved one’s service and to their dedication to this great country,” said OPM Director Katherine Archuleta. “I am inspired by America’s finest men and women who honorably serve our nation and I encourage all agencies to take pride in recognizing those Federal employees who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We must remember the Federal employees throughout the nation and the world who lose their lives while serving the American public.”

The law authorizes the head of an executive agency to give a United States flag to the beneficiary of an employee who dies of injuries sustained in connection with employment in the Federal Government as a result of a criminal act, an act of terrorism, a natural disaster, or other circumstance as determined by the President. The final regulations describe eligibility requirements and procedures for flag requests.

Although these final regulations are not effective until 30 days after publication, agencies do not need to wait to present flags to beneficiaries. In order to receive a flag, beneficiaries must contact the personnel office of the Federal agency where the employee worked. The benefit applies only to employees who died on or after December 20, 2011, the effective date of the enabling statute, the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011. The law authorizes an agency to furnish only a single flag on behalf of a deceased Federal civilian employee as a way to express the nation’s deepest sympathy and gratitude.

OPM issued the regulations after receiving input from stakeholders and coordinating with the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. They may be viewed on the Federal Register .

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the leader in workforce management for the federal government. Our agency builds, strengthens, and serves a federal workforce of 2.2 million employees with programs like hiring assistance, healthcare and insurance, retirement benefits, and much more. We provide agencies with policies, guidance, and best practices for supporting federal workers, so they can best serve the American people.

10 U.S. Code Chapter 933 - MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

  • § 9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement
  • § 9252. Service credit: regular enlisted members; service as an officer to be counted as enlisted service
  • § 9253. Flying officer rating: qualifications

A prior chapter 933, consisting of sections 9531 to 9541, related to procurement, prior to renumbering as chapter 963 of this title .

2018— Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(d)(3)(A) , (e)(1), Aug. 13, 2018 , 132 Stat. 1833 , redesignated chapter 853 of this title as this chapter and items 8681, 8684, and 8691 as 9251, 9252, and 9253, respectively.

1998— Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VI, § 644(c)(2) , Oct. 17, 1998 , 112 Stat. 2049 , added item 8681.

1994— Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1674(b)(6) , Oct. 5, 1994 , 108 Stat. 3016 , struck out item 8686 “Members of Air National Guard of United States: credit for service as members of Air National Guard”.

1986— Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, § 604(f)(1)(B)(iv) , Nov. 14, 1986 , 100 Stat. 3877 , struck out item 8687 “Compensation: members of Air Force other than of regular Air Force; when same as that provided for members of Regular Air Force”.

1985— Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, § 1301(d)(1)(B) , Nov. 8, 1985 , 99 Stat. 736 , struck out item 8683 “Service credit: certain service as a nurse, woman medical specialist, or civilian employee of Army Medical Department to be counted”.

1980— Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 514(5) , Dec. 12, 1980 , 94 Stat. 2935 , struck out item 8689 “Assignments and allotments of pay”.

1971— Pub. L. 92–168, § 3(2) , Nov. 24, 1971 , 85 Stat. 489 , struck out item 8692 “Pilot rating in time of peace: qualifications”.

1968— Pub. L. 90–235 , §§ 6(a)(5), 7(a)(6), (b)(6), Jan. 2, 1968 , 81 Stat. 762 , 763, struck out items 8682 “Service credit: officers; service as cadet not counted”, 8685 “Regular Air Force; Air Force Reserve: female members; definition of ‘dependents’ ”, 8690 “Exemption from arrest for debt: enlisted members”, and 8693 “Replacement of certificates of discharge”.

1958— Pub. L. 85–861, § 1(189) , Sept. 2, 1958 , 72 Stat. 1534 , struck out items 8681 “Air Force Register: Regular Air Force officers; service to be listed” and 8688 “Death gratuity”.

IMAGES

  1. US Flag Retirement Ceremony

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  2. Union Wireless. The American Flag: Displaying and Retiring

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

  1. §9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    §9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement (a) Presentation of Flag.-Upon the release of a member of the Air Force or the Space Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member. (b) Multiple Presentations Not Authorized.-A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member ...

  2. 10 U.S. Code § 9251

    Pub. L. 106-65 substituted "under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement." for "under this section or section 3681 or 6141 of this title or section 516 of title 14."

  3. §3681. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    §3681. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement (a) Presentation of Flag.-Upon the release of a member of the Army from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Army shall present a United States flag to the member. (b) Multiple Presentations Not Authorized.-A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member has previously been presented ...

  4. 10 U.S.C. § 9251 (2022)

    Citation: 10 U.S.C. § 9251 (2022) Section Name §9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement: Section Text (a) Presentation of Flag.—Upon the release of a member of the Air Force or the Space Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member.

  5. 10 U.S.C. § 9251

    10 U.S.C. § 9251 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 10. Armed Forces § 9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement. ... member has previously been presented a flag under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement. (c) No ...

  6. §7251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    §7251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement (a) Presentation of Flag.-Upon the release of a member of the Army from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Army shall present a United States flag to the member. (b) Multiple Presentations Not Authorized.-A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member has previously been presented ...

  7. 10 U.S. Code § 7251

    Pub. L. 106-65 substituted "under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement." for "under this section or section 6141 or 8681 of this title or section 516 of title 14."

  8. 33 U.S. Code § 3076

    The presentation of a flag under this section shall be at no cost to the recipient. ( Pub. L. 107-372, title II, § 266 , Dec. 19, 2002 , 116 Stat. 3093 .) Editorial Notes

  9. 10 U.S.C. 3681

    Title 10 - ARMED FORCES Subtitle B - Army PART II - PERSONNEL CHAPTER 353 - MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS Sec. 3681 - Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

  10. 10 U.S.C. § 9251 (2020)

    Citation: 10 U.S.C. § 9251 (2020) Section Name §9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement: Section Text (a) Presentation of Flag.—Upon the release of a member of the Air Force or the Space Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member.

  11. 10 USC 9251

    United States Code. § 9252. Service credit: regular enlisted members; service as an officer to be counted as enlisted service. § 9251. Presentation of Flag .—. Upon the release of a member of the Air Force or the Space Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member.

  12. 10 U.S.C. 6141

    Title 10 - ARMED FORCES Subtitle C - Navy and Marine Corps PART II - PERSONNEL CHAPTER 561 - MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS Sec. 6141 - Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

  13. 10 U.S.C. § 7251 (2018)

    Citation: 10 U.S.C. § 7251 (2018) Section Name §7251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement: Section Text (a) Presentation of Flag.—Upon the release of a member of the Army from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Army shall present a United States flag to the member.

  14. §8261. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    10 USC 8261: Presentation of United States flag upon retirement Text contains those laws in effect on September 3, 2024. From Title 10-ARMED FORCES Subtitle C-Navy and Marine Corps PART II-PERSONNEL CHAPTER 831-MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS. Jump To: Source Credit Miscellaneous Prior Provisions Amendments Effective Date.

  15. §6141. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    10 USC 6141: Presentation of United States flag upon retirement Text contains those laws in effect on January 23, 2000. From Title 10-ARMED FORCES Subtitle C-Navy and Marine Corps PART II-PERSONNEL CHAPTER 561-MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS. Jump To: Source Credit Prior Provisions Amendments Effective Date. §6141. Presentation of United ...

  16. Sec. 3681

    Sec. 3681 - Presentation of United States flag upon retirement: Contains: section 3681: Date: 1999: Laws in Effect as of Date: January 23, 2000: Positive Law: Yes: Disposition: standard: Source Credit: Added Pub. L. 105-261, div. A, title VI, §644(a)(1), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2048; amended Pub. L. 106-65, div. ... Presentation of United ...

  17. 10 U.S. Code § 8261

    Pub. L. 106-65 substituted "under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement." for "under this section or section 3681 or 8681 of this title or section 516 of title 14."

  18. §8681. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    §8681. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement (a) Presentation of Flag.-Upon the release of a member of the Air Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member. (b) Multiple Presentations Not Authorized.-A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member has previously been ...

  19. OPM Issues Final Regulations on Flag Recognition Benefit for Fallen

    Washington, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today issued the final regulations on the Flag Recognition Benefit for Fallen Federal Civilian Employees. The final regulations, published in the Federal Register, bestow an American flag to the beneficiaries of Federal civilian employees who lose their lives while serving the ...

  20. §214. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

    42 USC 214: Presentation of United States flag upon retirementText contains those laws in effect on August 13, 2024. From Title 42-THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARECHAPTER 6A-PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICESUBCHAPTER I-ADMINISTRATION AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONSPart A-Administration. Jump To: Source Credit Miscellaneous Prior Provisions Effective Date. §214.

  21. 10 U.S. Code Chapter 933

    § 9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement § 9252. Service credit: regular enlisted members; service as an officer to be counted as enlisted service § 9253. Flying officer rating: qualifications

  22. 10 U.S.C. § 6141 (2017)

    Citation: 10 U.S.C. § 6141 (2017) Section Name §6141. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement: Section Text (a) Presentation of Flag.—Upon the release of a member of the Navy or Marine Corps from active duty for retirement or transfer to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, the Secretary of the Navy shall present a United States flag to the member.