News Defense Secretary Mark Esper bans Confederate flags from military bases, rejects ‘divisive symbols’ July 17, 2020Nicholas Wu and Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAYComments Off on Defense Secretary Mark Esper bans Confederate flags from military bases, rejects ‘divisive symbols’ Esper listed appropriate flags including state flags, the POW/MIA flag, and military service flags. The Confederate flag was absent from the list.