What's In The Ball On Top Of Military Flagpoles?

[cabinetman]

Here's another. What's in the ball on top of military post flagpoles?



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[25]

Air.

Also have heard something about cigaretts, and something else. I still hold that they are empty.

[charliex]

The top of the pole.

[ScottGolden]

One rumor had it the there was a lighter in it.

The lighter was to be used to destroy the flag buy burning it in the event it was going to be captured.

Now why burning is considered a respectful way to destroy something, I don't know. Wouldn't be my choice first choice.

I am guessing this is just a rumor. After all how would get up the pole to the lighter when your position was being over run.

[rosesunkist]

Razor blade, match, 9mm round.

I believe that this is only a military "urban legend". I have yet to get any high ranking officials to confirm it, but most lower ranking soldiers swear by it.

Razor blade to cut the stripes from the flag, and the stars from the field. Even though the "proper" way to retire a flag is to cut the field from the stripes.

Match to burn the flag. Well, this is the proper way to retire a flag.

9mm round to shoot yourself when overrun. Now this one is the least possible, as the military tells you to fight by any possible means, and killing yourself would not go along with this policy. Maybe it is in there for because you are out of ammo? Really, really sucks if you have an M16 or M4 though..

[Pappy]

If it were true, who would be responible for opening up the ball and changing the single round to match the current weapon?

[Stytooner]

Everybody knows trucks have engines in them.

Actually, Snopes has a good write up about this. Since it's already been answered.
http://www.snopes.com/military/flagball.htm

[MilDoc]

If it were true, who would be responible for opening up the ball and changing the single round to match the current weapon?

Actually, I wonder who's in charge of climbing the pole to get at that stuff while being an easy target!

[JR]

Actually, I wonder who's in charge of climbing the pole to get at that stuff while being an easy target!

I don't know exactly, but I'm pretty sure his first name is Private, and definitely not Colonel!

[germdoc]

New recruits are usually put in charge of the pole and balls. That's why they're called "privates"...

[BobSch]

New recruits are usually put in charge of the pole and balls. That's why they're called "privates"...

Ba dum bum

[scorrpio]

Razor, match and bullet have been obsoleted a while ago due to ineffectiveness.
These days, the ball is a small tactical nuke to be used as measure of last resort. The remote detonator is in a safe in commander's office.

With a single press of a button, commander can prevent capture of flag, soldiers and the base, by eliminateing both them AND the force trying to capture them.

P.S.
My brother is in the Navy, he says at least that's what they got on their ships and bases. He does not deny that those "Army neanderthals" might still be packing the razor and stuff.

[Wood_workur]

I would say hot air, but thats in the heads of politicians, so I will have to say brains.