Membership

Every Patriot Guard Riders mission will be led by a Lead Ride Captain (LRC).  Ride Captains will be identified by a Maroon PGR cap.  The State Captain and Assistant State Captain will be identified by a Red PGR cap.  There may be one or more Ride Captains present at a Mission; however, there will be only one Lead Ride Captain who will be responsible for providing all the necessary information to conduct an honorable and dignified mission from motorcycle/cage escort protocols to establishing and placement of PGR flag lines.  The Lead Ride Captain for a particular Mission will be identified in the Mission details.

Although there is no specific dress code, it should be kept in mind that Missions are about respect for our military.  Clothes should be clean and not contain anything that could be construed as being offensive or political in nature.  Weather permitting; most of our members are on motorcycles so they will be dressed in leather or denim.  Check the weather prior to a mission and dress appropriately for both comfort and safety.  Vests/jackets with PGR patches and PGR armbands are common, but they are not required.  PGR patches, armbands, and other PGR clothing, gear and accessories can be purchased through the PGR National website at:  PatriotGuard.org.

PGRNY members standing a flag line require a clean 3' x 5' US flag on a flag pole (most people have a 6' light-weight, collapsible pole).

Flag Line Etiquette:

• Turn cell phones off or to mute.
• No photos are to be taken during Honor Missions.  Photos during Honor Missions may be taken in the staging area only.
• Stand tall, proud and silent.  Talking in the flag line should be kept to a minimum and should never be done with the family present.
• Flags (3' x 5') are to be held STRAIGHT UP at all time and never dipped.   The flag should be held at an approximate height of 9' to 10'.   This can be accomplished when the butt of a 6' flag pole is held at waist height.
• Where possible, each flag line member is an arms-length from the next flag line member.  The Flag Line will be adjusted if waving flags interfere with any aspect of the mission.
• The Lead Ride Captain in charge will instruct you what Flag Salute protocol will be used during a particular mission.   The following are commands that may be issued during a mission:
  • Attention (or "ten-hut"):  Flag is held at the right side of your body
  • Present Arms:  flag held in front of your body
  • Order Arms:   flag is held at the right side of your body
  • At Ease:  flag pole be lowered as long as the flag remains straight up and does not touch the ground

                      (LRC will demonstrate the correct positioning for each of these flag presentations)

• There is to be no drinking of fluids, smoking, or vaping in the Flag Line.  If you need to do either, quietly and discreetly remove yourself from the flag line.  Neatly roll up your flag when leaving a flag line.
• Some Flag Line missions can be lengthy and no one is expected to stand reverently for long periods of time.  We encourage breaks when you think it appropriate for your personal comfort. 

Escorts are usually provided by PGR members on motorcycles in good weather.  Members in cars and trucks (referred to as cages) are also welcome to participate in an escort.  Flags are not required for either motorcycles or cages.  Protocols for escorts during any of our missions will be covered by the Lead Ride Captain during the Mission briefing for that day.

PGR Member Code of Conduct

Amended and published September 22, 2019 - PGR National

As a PGR Member:

I will adhere to the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) mission and vision statements, and incorporate the principles contained therein into all my actions as a PGR member.

I will treat other PGR members with the same dignity and respect I would expect for myself.

I will remember that my PGR membership role is a position of responsibility to those we serve.

I will do everything in my power to demonstrate to Gold and Blue Star families, and families of veterans and home-front first-responders that the PGR honors them for the service and sacrifice of their loved ones. This is extended to activities honoring living individuals and units of these organizations. I will remember that our mission to honor these families and their wishes is my main priority as a PGR member.

I recognize that my interactions with law-enforcement, government officials and the military reflect on the entire Patriot Guard Riders organization and can have far-reaching implications for those relationships in other areas. I will act accordingly, respecting the protocols and regulations of those agencies.

In any interaction with the media and general public, I will avoid actions or communications which would negatively impact the reputation of good will toward the PGR. This includes actions which could present the appearance of political activism on behalf of PGR. The PGR is a non-political organization. I agree to maintain a strict non-political stance when representing the PGR in any capacity.

PGR Harassment Policy

Date of document 09/22/2019 - PGR National

Patriot Guard Riders affirms support of and adherence to the policies of the Government of United States, to provide equal opportunity in all programs, and activities for all members, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, parental status, and genetic information.

The PGR strongly believes in an inclusive, volunteer environment that utilizes and values the unique qualities of our diverse membership. Capitalizing on the full potential of our diverse human capital and respecting the uniqueness and differences in cultures and values is fundamental to our success.

The PGR is committed to preventing and correcting harassment in ALL forms of communications with our Members, soldiers and their families we serve, and any entity with whom our organization must work.

Harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct that interferes with any official PGR position, work, or performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Examples of behaviors that may be forms of harassment include, but are not limited to, unwelcome physical contact, stalking, obscene gestures or sounds, slurs, and posting of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group. Key factors of harassment under federal law are the severity and frequency of the misconduct. An isolated incident may not rise to the level of illegal harassment.

Harassment by anyone in the PGR is prohibited. All members are encouraged to report incidents of alleged harassment immediately. Swift, thorough and impartial investigation of harassment allegations will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken.

The PGR Board of Directors wishes to strongly emphasize that it is the responsibility of each and every member of the PGR to always promote and engage in practices free of discrimination and harassment, and to ensure that the doors of justice, equality, opportunity, and inclusion are open to all.

Applicability and Enforcement:
This Code of Conduct/Harassment Policy is applicable to activities or communications occurring on the PGR web site, forums and in mission staging areas, during PGR missions, events, or gatherings under the PGR name as well as member to member communication and/or contact when it is apparent that said contact was initiated because of PGR activities. Enforcement Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct and/or the Harassment Policy may be grounds for removal as a member.

Revisions and Modifications:
The PGR is committed to continuously reviewing and updating its policies and procedures. Therefore, the Code of Conduct/Harassment Policy is subject to revision and modification at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Further, this Code of Conduct/Harassment Policy supersedes all other such codes, policies, procedures, instructions, practices, rules or written or verbal representations to the extent they are inconsistent.

Regarding Photos at PGR Funeral Missions.

These are solemn occasions, not social events and it is disrespectful for a family to see us posing for pictures. Think about how you would feel if you were a family member and saw people taking pictures of themselves at their loved ones funeral. Although positive intent is assumed, it is not up to us to record these events and to do so makes it about us and not the families we serve.

National guidance is:

•  Once the honor mission begins, no photos should be taken.

•  No photos should ever be taken of the casket or the family.

•  Do not take pictures in or of the flag line, the mission has begun at that point and as a member you are there to stand flag line.

The only exception to this would be if the family requests that we make family to make a photo record. If you get this request, convey it to Lead Ride Captain as soon as possible and he or she will make that determination and designate a person to take pictures. It goes without saying that the RC should never be that person. Further, these photos are to be given to the family and NOT posted in social media.

Most states allow pictures in the staging area and this is acceptable. Posting mission photos on social media is discouraged but such an expectation is not realistic. If you must post on social media such as Facebook, please think CAREFULLY about the photo you select and the impact that it may have. Please also consider the number of photos posted and what message that conveys. Remember that once it’s out there, it’s out there forever. If you have questions at a mission, ask your Lead Ride Captain and follow that guidance. If you have additional questions, the ultimate decision is that of the State Captain.

Note: State guidelines are listed on the PGRNY.org website concerning what photos are appropriate for publishing to the Photo Gallery on our website.