15-4. The national and organizational flags carried by Color-bearing units are called the national Color and the organizational Color. When used singularly, the term “Color” implies the national Color. The plural term “Colors” means the national and positional or organizational Colors. By regulation, the organizational Color is not authorized a Salute; however, in the past some organizations have observed the custom of saluting the organizational Color.
15-5. In garrison, the Colors are normally kept at the office or headquarters of the commanding officer. They are escorted to and from the headquarters or office by the Color guard. In the field, the Colors are normally displayed from reveille to retreat in front of the commanding officer’s tent or command post. During inclement weather, they are cased and placed in the commanding officer’s office, headquarters, or tent.
15-6. Individuals or units passing or being passed by uncased Colors out of doors render honors. Individuals, not part of a formation, salute six steps distance from the Colors and hold the Salute until they have passed six steps beyond the Colors. The individual in charge of a formation calls the formation to ATTENTION and Present, ARMS.
15-7. The Colors will be carried on all ceremonial occasions when two or more companies, honor guards, or representative elements of a command participate. Traditionally, the CSM is responsible for the safeguarding, care, and display of the organizational Color. The CSM is also responsible for the selection, training, and performance of the Color bearers and Color guards.
15-8. During a review, parade, or honor guard ceremony, ordinarily only one national Color is present. The national Color is given the honor position and is carried on the marching right of positional and organizational Colors. The U.S. Army flag or the Army field flag (when authorized) is carried to the immediate left of the national Color. The organizational Color of the senior headquarters sponsoring the ceremony is carried to the left of the Army flag or field flag, if present. The Colors belonging to the headquarters conducting the ceremonies are positioned on line with and centered on the command. Subordinate Color-bearing organizations ordinarily carry only their organizational Colors (four steps to the rear of their staff). The regulation for individual flags and distinguishing flags for general officers and other dignitaries is the same as that for organizational Colors (see AR 840-10).
15-9. When the local commander wishes, or considers it more appropriate, they may authorize subordinate Color-bearing organizations to carry their national Color with their organizational Colors behind their staffs. Consideration must be given as to the number of times the spectators will be required to stand during the pass in review. Also, consideration must be given to the frequency of Salutes required by the reviewing officer:
- Another method in which subordinate Color-bearing units may carry their Colors is to have them participate in a massed Colors formation. Because of many complications caused by massed Colors, units should prescribe a local SOP governing the desired procedures.
- Examples of complications include: organizational Colors losing their identity, order of precedence, resizing of Color guards and bearers, uniformity when the first rank consists of five Soldiers rather than four, and presenting a good appearance when returning to the formation after being brought forward while keeping the national Color on the marching right.
15-10. When Colors are participating in a ceremony, they will be received and dismissed. Information pertaining to Colors participating in a ceremony are described in paragraphs 15-20 and 15-24.
Salutes
15-11. The national Color renders no Salute (dip). An exception to this rule is followed by naval vessels when, upon receiving a Salute of this type from a vessel registered by a nation formally recognized by the United States, the compliment must be returned.
15-12. The organizational Color Salutes (dips) in all military ceremonies while the national anthem, “To the Color,” or a foreign national anthem is being played, and when rendering honors to the organizational commander or an individual of higher grade including foreign dignitaries of higher grade, but in no other case. The U.S. Army flag is considered to be an organizational Color and, as such, is also dipped while the national anthem, “To the Color,” or a foreign national anthem is being played, and when rendering honors to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, their direct representative, or an individual of equivalent or higher grade, but in no other case:
- When marching, organizational Colors salute when six steps from the person entitled to the Salute.
- They are returned to the Carry position when six steps beyond the person.
Color Guard
15-13. The Color guard consists of two (three) sergeants and two specialists or privates. It is an honor to be selected as a member of the Color guard. The senior (Color) sergeant carries the national Color and commands the Color guard. The senior (Color) sergeant gives the necessary commands for the movements and for rendering honors. The uniform for Color guards should be the same as prescribed for participating troops. In addition to the uniform, the Color guard should be provided white polyester dress gloves, uniform neck scarves, and a white, black, or olive drab flag carrier. The flag carrier could be a single or double leather or web strapped harness with a brass or chrome cup.
15-14. When battalions or brigades carry their organizational Colors in a ceremony as part of a larger command, the battalion or brigade Color is carried four steps to the rear of the staff. A sergeant acts as Color bearer and two experienced specialists or privates, selected by the battalion or brigade CSM, act as members of the Color guard.
15-15. The Color guard is formed and Marched in one rank at Close Interval, the bearers in the center. They do not execute Rear March or About Face. The Color guard marches at Right Shoulder Arms and executes Facing movements by wheeling to the right or left. The command for a Facing movement is Right (Left) Wheel, MARCH. To execute a Wheeling movement, the guard nearest the direction of turn serves as the pivot point and executes the movement by marching in place and simultaneously turning in the new direction. Other members shorten their steps and turn in an arc keeping abreast of each other to maintain alignment. When the movement has been completed, each member automatically marches in place until the command HALT or Forward, MARCH is given.
15-16. When passing in review, the Color guard executes Eyes Right at the prescribed saluting distance on the command of the Color sergeant. The commands are Eyes, RIGHT and Ready, FRONT. The organizational Color salutes at the command RIGHT and resumes the Carry at the command FRONT. The guard on the right flank of the Color guard does not execute Eyes Right.
15-17. During ceremonies, the Color guard remains at Right Shoulder Arms except when executing Present Arms. When not participating in a ceremony and a situation occurs that warrants a Salute by the organizational Color, the Color sergeant commands Color, SALUTE. The return to the Carry is made at the command Carry, COLOR.
15-18. When in formation with the Color company, and not during a ceremony, the Color bearers execute At Ease and Rest, keeping the staffs of the Colors vertical. The Color guard executes Right Shoulder Arms, Order Arms, and Present Arms with the Color company. During ceremonies when the Colors are not forward and remarks are to be made, the Color guards and Color bearers execute Order Arms and Parade Rest on command of the Color company commander. During any ceremony when the units are At Ease, the Color guard and Color bearers are at Parade Rest.
Receiving or Dismissing The Colors by The Color Guard
15-19. The Color guard uses the following procedures when receiving or dismissing the Colors:
- When receiving uncased Colors on display in the commander’s office, the Color guard is positioned in a single rank facing the Colors. The Color sergeant commands Present, ARMS and Order, ARMS. On completion of Order Arms, the Color bearers (without command) secure the Colors. The Color guard files outside (guard, national Color, organizational Color, guard) and re-forms in a line formation. The Color guards execute Right Shoulder Arms and the Color bearers assume the Carry Position.
- To dismiss the Colors, the procedures are basically the same except that the Colors are placed back in their stands before executing Present Arms.
Casing and Upcasing The Colors
15-20. To case and uncase the Colors, the Color guard forms in a line formation with the cased Colors at the Carry Position (Order Position when indoors). The CSM (or their direct representative) positions themselves six steps in front of and centered on the formation. They then command Sling, ARMS:
- The Color guards immediately adjust their slings and assume Sling Arms. The CSM commands POST. The Color guards face to the Half Left (Right) in marching, take four steps, halt, and execute About Face.
- The CSM then directs UNCASE THE COLORS. The Color bearers lower the Colors (same as Present Guidon). The two guards move forward and untie and uncase the Colors. The Color bearers unfurl and immediately return the Colors to the Carry (Order) Position. While the Colors are being unfurled, the guards fold the cases and secure them in their left hand.
- When the Colors are in the Carry Position, the CSM commands Present, ARMS. The CSM, Color guards, and the organizational Color Salute.
- The CSM commands Order, ARMS, and then commands POST. On the command of execution POST, the Color guards place the folded canvas cases inside the cartridge belts (center rear) of the Color bearers. The Color guards assume their original positions, adjust their slings, and return to Right Shoulder Arms.
- If the CSM or their representative is not present, the senior Color sergeant gives the necessary commands.
Note. To case the Colors, the procedures are basically the same except Present Arms is given before the Colors are lowered.
15-21. When casing or uncasing the Colors with the command present, the commander directs UNCASE (CASE) THE COLORS. The CSM and Color guards execute the movement (as previously stated in paragraph 15-20) except that they execute Present Arms and Order Arms with the Color company. When the Colors are uncased and returned to the Carry Position, the commander directs BRING YOUR UNITS TO PRESENT ARMS. After the units have executed this directive, the commander then directs BRING YOUR UNITS TO ORDER ARMS.
15-22. If the Colors are to be cased or uncased during the receiving or dismissing by the Color company, the Color guards execute Present Arms and Order Arms on command of the company commander. The CSM uncases the organizational Color when it is displayed by itself. The CSM major may also assist the Color guards when uncasing more than two Colors.
Receiving or Dismissing The Colors by Color Company
15-23. The designated Color company receives and dismisses the Colors as follows:
- The Color company should receive the Colors before it forms with the battalion.
- The Color company forms at Attention with the commander facing to the front as the Colors near the Color company.
- The Color guard, guided by the senior sergeant, approaches from the front and halts 10 steps from the company commander.
- The company commander then faces about and commands Present, ARMS, faces the Colors, and Salutes. They terminate their Salute, faces about, and commands Order, ARMS.
- The specialists or privates of the Color guard execute Present Arms and return to Right Shoulder Arms on the commands of the company commander (Present Arms and Order Arms).
- The senior sergeant then marches the Color guard to its position within the company formation. If the company is in column formation, the Color guard forms at the rear of the company. When the company is in line or mass formation, the Color guard forms at the left of the company. The Color company may join the battalion before the battalion forms at the ceremony site or join with the battalion at the ceremony site. When the Color company joins the battalion, the senior Color sergeant marches the Color guard to its appropriate post in the battalion formation.
- The Color guard is dismissed at the conclusion of the ceremony. This can occur in the vicinity of the ceremony site, in the Color company area, or at the battalion headquarters. At the designated area, the senior sergeant marches and halts the Color guard 10 steps in front of and facing the commander of the Color company. The actions for dismissing the Colors are the same as receiving the Colors. After being dismissed, the Color guard marches to the office, headquarters, or tent of the commanding officer.
- The Colors are received and dismissed from organizations smaller than a company, such as a funeral escort, in a similar manner.
- Casing and uncasing the Colors may be scheduled in conjunction with receiving and dismissing the Colors.
Posting and Retiring The Colors
15-24. Formal assemblies conducted indoors begin with the presentation of the Colors, referred to as posting the Colors, and end with the retirement of the Colors. The following instructions outline the procedures for posting and retiring the Colors, with a head table and without head table. Since indoor areas vary in size, configuration, and intended purpose, these instructions do not apply to all situations. Therefore, persons planning an indoor ceremony can modify these instructions based on their specific floor plan. Color bearers must conduct a reconnaissance of the ceremony location taking note of the dimensions of the room. Low ceilings will present significant challenges when trying to raise and lower Colors.
Posting The Colors
15-25. The Color guard forms outside the entrance to the dining area, auditorium, or meeting hall. The audience is directed to stand until the Colors are posted. If the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” (or other appropriate music) and the invocation are scheduled, the audience will remain standing until they are completed:
- When the arrangements include a head table, the Color guard enters in a line formation, preferably, or forms in a line immediately inside the room and moves to a position centered on and facing the head table:
- When the Colors arrive at the predesignated position, the Color sergeant commands Colors, HALT, and Present, ARMS; and reports “The Colors are present.” The host acknowledges the report and directs POST THE COLORS. The area should be arranged to allow adequate space for the Color guard to move between the head table and the flag stand.
- The Color sergeant then commands Order, ARMS; Right, FACE; and Forward, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the Color guard marches to the rear of the head table (see figure 15-1 on page 15-7).
- Once the Color guard is centered on the flag stand, they Mark Time and the Color sergeant commands Colors, HALT and Right, FACE. The Color guard should approach the flag stands from the right to position the national Color bearer in front of the flag holder on the right, facing the audience.
- The Color bearers, without command, place the Colors in the stand.
- When the Colors are in the stand, the Color sergeant commands Present, ARMS and Order, ARMS. The guards return to Right Shoulder Arms; the Color sergeant commands Left, FACE and Forward, MARCH; and the Color guard exits the area.
- When a head table is not used, the Color guard enters and moves to a predesignated position centered on and facing the audience. This may require the Color guard to move in a column and use Facing movements. The movement must be planned so that the national Color is always on the right when in line and is leading when in column.
- When the Colors arrive at the predesignated position, the Color sergeant commands Colors, HALT; Left (Right), FACE; and Present, ARMS. Any scheduled music or the Pledge of Allegiance then occurs. The Color sergeant then commands Order, ARMS.
- The Color sergeant commands Right (Left), FACE and Forward, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the Color guard marches to the flag stand where the actions of the Color guard are the same as previously described.
Retiring The Colors
15-26. The audience is directed to stand for the retiring of the Colors:
- When a head table is used, the Color sergeant moves the Color guard to the head table:
- The Color sergeant commands Color guard, HALT; Present, ARMS, and reports to the host, “Sir or Ma’am, request permission to retire the Colors.” The host acknowledges the report and directs RETIRE THE COLORS.
- The Color sergeant commands Order, ARMS; Right, FACE; Forward, MARCH; and moves the Color guard until they are centered on the flag stand where they Mark Time.
- The Color sergeant commands Color guard, HALT; Right, FACE; Present, ARMS; and Order, ARMS. Upon completion of Order Arms the Color bearers, without command, retrieve the Colors and assume the Carry Position.
- The Color sergeant commands FACE and Forward, MARCH. The Color guard exits the area.
- When the head table is not used, the Color guard moves directly to the flag stands where the Colors are retrieved. The Color guard exits as previously described.
Note. These procedures will vary when the CSM oversees the Colors during a formal dining-in.
Next Page : Section 3 – Color Guard Teams