(2) A carpet runner is often laid in front of the receiving line. The carpet is only for the official party to stand on.
Carpet runners are not mandatory and may be excluded for reasons of safety.
(3) It is thoughtful to provide nearby seating so that those receiving guests may rest occasionally.
(4) If there is a band, the acoustics are checked, and the musical selections are discussed with the bandmaster.
(5) Arrangements are made for appropriate photographs.
(6) The bar and buffet tables are separated to avoid congestion at either end of the room. The buffet tables are
attractively decorated with flowers or a novel centerpiece.
(7) Soft drinks are made available for guests who do not drink alcoholic beverages.
(8) A group of junior personnel (officers, NCOs, and enlisted) may be stationed at the entrance to the building to
greet and escort distinguished guests to the receiving line.
c. The receiving line.
(1) Formal luncheons, receptions, and dinners usually have a receiving line to afford each guest the opportunity to
greet the host, hostess, and honored guest. The receiving line should be kept as small as possible.
(2) Suggested arrangements for receiving lines for official functions are listed below. These are only guides. The
guest of honor is positioned based upon the host’s preference.
(a) Host Guest of honor Hostess Spouse of guest of honor
(b) Host Guest of honor Spouse of guest of honor Hostess
(3) When a head of state is the guest of honor, the host and hostess relinquish their positions, and the line forms
with the head of state, spouse of the head of state, the host, and hostess. At the head of the line there is an aide-de-
camp or an adjutant to announce the guests.
(4) Guests should not shake hands with the aide or staff officer receiving the name of the guest. Guests give only
their official titles or “Mr. (Mrs.) (Miss) (Ms.)” Jones. The aide presents the guest to the host who, in turn, presents
him or her to the guest of honor. The guest, in proceeding down the line, simply shakes hands and greets each person
with a “How do you do?” or, in the case of a friend or acquaintance, “Good evening, Sir John,” or “It is good to see
you again, Sir John.” Because names do not travel well, the guest should repeat his or her name to any person in the
line to whom it has obviously not been passed. The receiving line is no place for lengthy conversation with either the
host or the honored guest.
(5) One rule remains unchanged and should not be broken: Do not receive guests or go through a receiving line
holding a cigarette or a drink.
(6) It is acceptable for a female to stand at the end of the line. However, some hosts invite a man closely associated
with the occasion to stand at the end of the line so that a female need not be in this position. Other hosts feel that this
is incorrect, since a reception is to honor certain individuals only. If a man of sufficient seniority who has an important
connection with the function is not present, it is better not to have any man at all at the end of the line. It is not proper
to station a randomly selected junior officer who has no connection with the guest of honor at the end of the line.
(7) When does the man precede his lady in going through a receiving line? The old rule of “ladies first” should be
followed upon all occasions other than White House or diplomatic visits. At the White House, for instance, the man
goes down the line first. Many of the guests will have official titles, and it is easier for an aide to recognize the official
and to announce, “The Secretary of State,” as the aide presents the Cabinet officer, quickly followed by, “and Mrs.
Smith.” The relationship of the couple is clarified more easily than when the procedure is reversed.
(8) Unless the function is very large, hosts usually receive for 30 minutes from the time given on the invitation and
then join their guests. Therefore, it is necessary for guests to be punctual. Otherwise, they are not announced and will
have to seek out their host and apologize for their tardiness. At a large function it may not be possible for latecomers to
be introduced to the guests of honor. In any case, this is a matter for the discretion of the host.
d. Positioning the receiving line. Sometimes the question arises whether the receiving line should be on the guest’s
right or left as they enter the reception area. While it is preferable to position the receiving line to the left as you enter
the room, consideration must be given to the layout of the room. If positioning the receiving line to the left side would
adversely impact the buffet or dinner tables then use the right side. The line should be stationed so that the guests may
pass smoothly and conveniently to the gathering of the other guests.
3–3. Display of flags at military receptions and dinners
a. Placement. At military receptions and dinners, especially when general officers are present, the custom is to
display appropriate national colors and distinguishing flags in the “flag line.”
(1) The flag line is centered behind the receiving line and/or the head table.
(2) Flags displayed behind the receiving line or head table are arranged in order of precedence. The flag of the
United States is always located at the place of honor, that is, the flag’s own right (the observer’s left), regardless of the
order or location of individuals in the receiving line. When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from a
radiating stand, the flag of the United States is in the center and at the highest point of the group.
b. Order of precedence.
9DA PAM 600–60 • 11 December 2001