The retreat ceremony is one of the most solemn ones a military professional may participate in short of a military funeral.  Just as reveille greets the morning of the official duty day, retreat announces the end of that day.  Air Force units across the globe repeat this ceremony daily, sometimes with massed formations of troops as the Star Spangled Banner is played, other times with just a small detail of security force personnel while To The Colors is played. 

At Lackland Air Force Base, every flight of new recruits participates in retreat the afternoon before Graduation Day.   

Joey and his wingmen in Flight 152 of the 324th Training Squadron lined up several blocks away, marched to retreat and rendered honors along with 750 other troops. 

The troops marched towards the camera and then executed a column right command, crossed the bridge at the left of the picture and moved into position on the drill pad.

Looking good, in perfect step and distance, Flight 152 came onto the drill pad, setting the stage for their perfect performance in Friday's graduation parade!

Once the squadrons were lined up and facing the flagpole, the bugle call for retreat was played.  The units snapped to attention and the Star Spangled Banner was played as the flag was taken down, signifying the end of the duty day.  Five airmen, designated as the flag detail, removed the flag from the halyard ropes, solemnly folded it and removed it from the scene until the next duty day's flag raising.