At the last note of retreat, what will happen?

• A. A Gun Will Be Fired (If Available), Followed by the National Anthem or To The Color, and the Flag Lowered
• B. The Flag Will Be Raised
• C. The Color Guard Will Depart
• D. The Flag Will Be Folded and Stored

Answer: (A)

The sequence tested is the closing of the flag ceremony at the end of the day. At the last note of retreat, a gun is fired (if available) to mark the moment, then the National Anthem or To the Color is played, and the flag is lowered. This ordering reflects the ceremonial end of the workday and the flag’s proper discipline during retreat. Raising the flag occurs at sunrise, not retreat, and while the color guard may depart and the flag may afterward be folded and stored, those steps follow after the flag has been lowered, not at the initial moment of the last note.