The “Retreat” of the National Color Bearer

Understanding the Role and Movements of the Color Guard

Within military and ceremonial traditions, the color guard exists to present, protect, and honor the national colors. Every movement executed by the formation is governed by doctrine, purpose, and symbolism—not improvisation.

One persistent misconception concerns the national color bearer during certain movements, particularly the belief that the bearer “retreats” by marching backward during the turn. This claim is frequently repeated, visually persuasive to the untrained eye, and entirely incorrect.

This article explains why the perception exists, why it is wrong, and what is actually occurring during regulation and ceremonial wheel movements.

Color Guard and Direction Changes

A color guard is a fixed ceremonial formation, not a maneuver unit. Its movements are designed to preserve dignity, alignment, and constant respect for the national flag.

When a color guard turns 90 degrees or executes an about movement, it does so using one of two doctrinally accepted methods:

1. Guard-Based Rotation

• Common in Army and Air Force practice, and in some sea service applications.
• The pivot point is on one of the armed guards.
• The formation advances through the turn.
• All members maintain forward intent, adjusting step length as required.

2. Center-Based Rotation

• Common in ceremonial drill and sea service practice.
• The pivot point is:
  • The national color bearer, or
  • The space between the color bearers.
• The formation rotates in place rather than advancing.

In both cases, the movement is executed as a wheel-type rotation, not a reversal of direction. It’s often called a “pinwheel” which has never been a term in the military.

The Perception

To observers—especially judges, instructors, or spectators without formal drill education—the appearance of the national color bearer marching backward can create confusion.

Let me be clear—this is not an illusion; the US bearer actually marches backwards. This is perfectly acceptable, even though you may remember something differently or think it’s inappropriate.

What many people remember are ceremonial slogans, not ceremonial procedures. Over time, slogans harden into ‘rules,’ even when no such rule exists in doctrine.

The US color bearer marching backwards is “retreating” and therefore wrong is a MYTH.

The Reality: Position, Not Prohibition

The national color bearer does not “retreat” during a wheel movement. What occurs is controlled positional management as the formation rotates around a fixed point.

Importantly, this is not because marching backward is inherently forbidden.

There is nothing in regulation or ceremonial drill that categorically prohibits a marcher—including a national color bearer—from stepping backward. Backward marching exists in drill vocabulary and is executed in specific, authorized contexts.

What is forbidden is the color guard executing movements such as About Face or (To the) Rear, March while carrying the national colors or not—movements that would place the national flag or the bearer in an improper positional relationship within the formation.

1. Line Formation is Acceptable (all three service D&C manuals).
2. Column Formation is acceptable (all three service D&C manuals).
3. Inverted Line Formation is only authorized when directly posting into stands (TC 3-21.5), any other time it is unacceptable.
4. Inverted Column Formation (with or without the colors) is unacceptable at all times (all three service D&C manuals).

Wheel movements do not place the US color bearer in the wrong position (to the left of or behind another color bearer).

During a wheel: The formation rotates; it does not reverse direction.

Thus, the issue is not backward stepping in the abstract—it is positional correctness of the national colors within the formation.

Why the Myth Persists

This misconception survives for three primary reasons:

1. Memory Crystallization (False Memory Confidence)
   Over time, memories do not remain static—they become simplified, symbolic, and absolute. A short period of service (e.g., four years) is mentally compressed into a narrative of “how things were always done.” Details fade, but confidence increases, not decreases.
2. Moralization of Movement
   “Backing up is wrong” is not just a technical judgment — it is a moral one.

Instead of:
Manual → instruction → memory

It becomes:
Belief → assumed rule → “remembered” instruction

The individual does not recall what the manual said.
He recalls what they believe it must have said.

This is then coupled tightly with:

3. Loss of Drill Literacy
   As formal drill instruction has declined, fewer instructors understand why movements are executed—only what they appear to be.

When explanation disappears, myth fills the gap.

Why This Distinction Matters

Mislabeling wheel mechanics as “retreating” confuses movement authority with formation geometry.

The national color is governed by:

• Where it may be positioned
• How it may be oriented
• How it may transition between positions

Wheel movements preserve all three.

About Face and Rear March do not.

Understanding this distinction prevents instructors and judges from inventing prohibitions that do not exist—and from misidentifying correct execution as error.

Conclusion

“The flag never retreats” persists not because manuals are unclear, but because the belief removes the perceived need to read them.

Once backward movement is labeled “wrong,” no amount of documentation will be consulted—only defended against.

When the mechanics are understood, the myth disappears.