Instructors, this is one of the most common issues I see across cadet programs, ROTC units, and even some professional teams:
The CSM Is Not the Color Guard Commander
When it comes to the color guard, there’s a persistent belief that refuses to go away: “The Command Sergeant Major—the one with the sword—is the commander of the color guard at any time and for any ceremony.” It sounds right. It looks cool. It is not supported by doctrine. Let’s go to the source: TC 3-21.5 Drill and Ceremonies. Start …
Affiliation Is Not Authority: Who Gets to Carry Service Colors?
I get this question fairly regularly. What flags should we carry in the upcoming parade?
Carrying History: What Belongs in a Color Guard for the 250th?
With the United States approaching its 250th anniversary, I’ve started receiving more questions about historical flags—specifically whether groups can carry items like the Betsy Ross flag or the Gadsden flag in parades and ceremonies.
The Color Guard System: Why Your Equipment Might Be Incorrect
Across the country, color guards strive for precision in movement, timing, and appearance. Yet one of the most common failures occurs before the first command is ever given:
The equipment is wrong.
Flag Spreaders and the Hidden Divide in US Military Doctrine
I wanted to explain the two types of doctrinal authority in the US military and use the flag spreader debate as a case study.
Naval Flagstaffs, Mast Systems, and Ceremonial Display
The Navy does not have protocol specialists assigned to units like the Army, Air Force, and Space Force do. That’s understandable since protocol is not necessary at sea a majority of the time. However, giving this responsibility to a Petty Officer aboard ship as an extra duty without the Navy providing clear guidance is a recipe for problems.
Color Guard Without the Uniform: What Changes—and What Does Not
Across the country, cadet programs and organizations are facing a common restriction:uniforms cannot be worn. For many, this has created uncertainty: Let’s be clear: Yes, you can still present the Colors.No, the standard has not changed. The Misconception There is a growing assumption that without the uniform, the rules relax. They do not. The uniform is a supporting element. It …
The Flagstaff Is Not “Just a Flagstaff”
One of the most persistent misconceptions I encounter is the statement:
“A flagstaff is just a flagstaff.”
This idea usually appears when someone is using a silver aluminum or gold telescoping pole and attempts to justify it for a military color guard.
At first glance, the logic seems simple: if it holds a flag, it should be acceptable.
That logic is incorrect.
They’re Not Just Doing It Wrong—They’re Using the Wrong System
In recent years, an increasing number of Air Force color guard performances—particularly within Technical School, the United States Air Force Academy, and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps—have shown a consistent pattern: movements that appear deliberate and “ceremonial,” yet are fundamentally incorrect within their training environment.