When an escorted flag passes you while in uniform, how many paces before and after should you salute?

When a flag is being escorted and it passes by a member in uniform, the appropriate protocol is to salute the flag. The correct timing for saluting is crucial in demonstrating respect and adherence to military customs. The standard practice is to salute when the flag is approximately 6 paces away, and to maintain the salute until the flag has moved 6 paces past you. This ensures that respect for the colors is shown both as it arrives and as it departs, marking the importance of the flag and the values it represents. This 6-pace rule is a common custom in military protocols and signifies formal recognition of the flag during ceremonies and official proceedings.