I received such a great question that it spurred me into creating a new tag #DrillMasterRecommends, and writing this article. Thank you, Jari Villanueva, The Taps Bugler!
Question: I’m looking at updating our organization’s flags. Our new Honor Guard would like to purchase an American flag a state flag, poles for each, and bases. What do you recommend?
For a non-military color team, you could use just about any combination of flagstaffs, ornaments and colors. However, non-military honor guard units are still military-type units and should follow either the Army or Marine Corps drill and ceremonies manual, Training Circular (TC) 3-21.5, Marine Corps Order 5060.20, both available in the Resources section of this website, or The Honor Guard Manual.
As far as colors go, nothing has changes from manual to manual. However, I encourage first responder honor guard units to follow the United States Certified Ceremonial Guardsman guidance set forth in my book, The Honor Guard Manual, the only complete guide for honor guards available.
See also: All About the Color Guard and Color Guard Flag Protocol.
So, here is what I recommend:
Plano America has the perfect replicas for ceremonial use.
Fire Axe, Inc. also offers unbelievably awesome fire axes that can be personalized.
I suggest 4 or 6 from Glendale Parade Store. Either the black or chrome DrillAmerica M1903 Replica and here is why: Which Drill Rifle is Better? Or, the chrome DrillAmerica M1 Garand replica.
For complete information, please read All About the Flagstaff then Flagstaff Ornaments, All About Flag Sizes, Color Guard Flag Protocol, and finally, read How to Properly Mount a Flag on a Flagstaff.
Ceremonial colors are 4′ 4″ x 5.5′ on 9′ 6″ light ash 2-piece guidon flagstaffs with the silver Army Spearhead (Spade) finial. Go to www.colonialflag.com for flags and colors. Army/AF/SF need to special order 3’x4′ flags. It’s a little more expensive because it’s not a size anyone else uses, but is mandatory for these three services.
Go to www.glendale.com for staffs. If you order from another company, you don’t know what you’ll get (thin threads, one screw on the screw joint, etc.). Go with Glendale.
When working in smaller areas (crowded ballroom, for instance) or if you are going to post the colors, 3’x4′ colors on 8′ flagstaffs is recommended.
Please read The Why of the Color Guard – Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Ceremonial colors are 4′ 4″ x 5.5′ on 9′ 6″ light ash 2-piece guidon flagstaffs with the silver spade finial. Colors that are 3’x4′ are not authorized (except personal/positional).
Unless your organization is tied to the military, (military school or veteran service organization, for instance) there is no need to purchase the special sizes of colors.
Army/AF/SF requires fringe on all flags. The MC/Navy/CG requires fringe on all flags except the national. The Navy does not put fringe on the infantry battalion color.
I suggest practice and performance equipment. For practice, the Best Quality Web Carrier, a web double harness, is best.
For performances, the most professional harness that I’ve used for years and what the presidential service honor guard color teams use, is the black clarino (high gloss) or white leather harness with either chrome or gold-colored hardware that just looks superior. The Honor Guard Leather Double Harness. Match the hardware color with the uniform accents and the hardware on the flagstaffs for a complete look.
(I suggest at least 2) My first choice is the Military Floor Stand. This is the required stand for the USAF/SF by AFI 34-1201 and all other services use this stand for ceremonies in DC. Years ago I worked with Wendy Lazar, the founder and previous owner of Glendale Industries (www.glendale.com), and this stand is now offered without the extra hardware which holds 2 more flags.
My second choice would be the cast iron Admiral/Liberty Floor Stand which comes with a small plastic sleeve to support a guidon flagstaff’s ferrule or you could also use these Floor Stand Adapters (a tube that is inserted into the floor stand) and even use carrying cases. These are a much less expensive option,
Flagstaff covers the military uses are Canvas Covers. However, the canvas is relatively lightweight and can easily wear or get a hole in it from a misplaced Army Spear. The nylon cover is more durable or you could use the airline carrying case or this case for each of your flagstaffs.
JROTC color teams do perform these tasks as part of a competition. The nylon cover is not authorized for competition.
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