When the Route Forces Your Back to the Audience

A Doctrinal Resolution to the VFW/AL “U-Shaped” Color Guard Posting Problem

For more than a decade, one particular competition scenario has generated persistent confusion among instructors, judges, and competitors alike: the U-shaped posting route commonly used in Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion (AL) color guard competitions.

The confusion is not caused by complexity.
It is caused by a misunderstanding of doctrine.

This article resolves the issue using only two governing authorities:

• Flag Code
• Army Training Circular 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies

No opinion is required.
Only correct reading and correct application.

The Scenario

In the standard competition layout, the color guard:

1. Enters from audience right.
2. Executes a horseshoe-shaped route:
   • Forward
   • Left wheel
   • Forward
   • Left wheel
   • Forward
3. Finishes the final lane between the audience and the flag stands, already facing the same general direction as the audience.

At this moment, uncertainty begins. Common questions include:

• Must the guard move behind the stands before posting?
• Is posting with backs to the audience disrespectful?
• How can the guard depart if space is limited?

Each question has a precise doctrinal answer.

First Correction: Color Guards Do Not Flank or Column

A color guard operating under TC 3-21.5 does not use:

• Flank movements
• Column commands

Instead, movement authority is limited to two doctrinal families:

In Line Formation

• Wheel
• Colors Reverse

In Column Formation

• Follow-the-leader curvature
• Rounded corners
• No pivot mechanics

Any solution requiring flanks or column commands is therefore non-doctrinal and must be rejected immediately.

The Governing Principle Most People Miss

The central doctrinal truth in this entire situation is simple:

Posting orientation is determined by the guard’s relationship to the stands—
not by the audience.

This principle resolves nearly every argument that occurs in competition settings.

Because the prescribed U-shaped route terminates between the audience and the stands,
TC 3-21.5 posting mechanics necessarily require the guard to turn toward the stands.

When the guard turns toward the stands, their backs face the audience.

This is not:

• disrespect
• symbolism
• preference
• improvisation

It is a direct procedural consequence of correct facing geometry.

Therefore: Must the Guard Go Behind the Stands?

No.

Moving behind the stands would require:

• Flanks (not authorized)
• Column commands (not doctrinal for color guard movement)

Rear-approach posting is therefore eliminated on doctrinal grounds.

Note: In another situation where the stands are only accessible from behind and the team faces the audience, can a color guard post from behind the stands? Absolutely.

If the situation requires it, go for it. Just remember that you will have to do things the opposite of when posting from the front. You will see the flagstaff, the audience will not, and the fringe will go to your left.

Is Posting with Backs to the Audience Disrespectful?

No.

Disrespect is measured against:

• The flag
• The ceremony
• The governing manual

Not audience sightlines.

When doctrine requires a specific facing relationship to the colors and stands,
that relationship takes precedence over audience perception.

In this layout, turning away from the audience is not only acceptable—
it is required for doctrinal compliance.

Two Fully Compliant Posting Solutions

Although only one solution is superior,
both of the following are doctrinally legal.

Solution 1 — Column Flow to the Stands (Preferred)

Method

• Complete the horseshoe in Line Formation.
• Transition to temporary Column Formation in the final lane.
• Lead guard curves immediately in front of the stands.
• Lead guard Mark avoids slamming staffs, avoids stepping onto the stand, and ensures precise spacing.
• Bearers halt at the stands.
• Guard executes a situational right face toward the stands.
• Standard TC posting sequence follows.
• Guard reforms and departs forward, not backward.

Why this is best

• Preserves ceremonial flow
• Avoids retrograde motion
• Fits restricted geometry
• Remains fully TC-compliant
• Presents strongest visual performance for judging

This is the most correct method, even if it may be a bit more difficult.

Solution 2 — Line Halt, Retrograde Clearance, Colors Reverse

Method

• Remain in Line Formation.
• Execute Mark Time → Halt inches from the stands.
• Post colors.
• March backward several steps to gain clearance.
• Halt → Colors Reverse → Forward March to depart.

Doctrinal status

• Completely authorized under TC 3-21.5
• Mechanically simple
• Highly defensible in judging

Limitation

• Retrograde movement appears less ceremonial
• Requires extremely precise mark-time distance control

This is the most conservative doctrinal fallback.

Myth Correction: “The National Must Never Retreat”

This widely repeated statement is false.

Backward marching:

• Is authorized
• Does not constitute retreat
• Does not dishonor the flag

The only movements forbidden to the color guard are:

• To the Rear, March
• About Face

These are prohibited not because of symbolism,
but because they would cause the national color to turn its back during ceremonial movement.

Doctrine—not myth—governs dignity.

The Larger Lesson for Judges and Instructors

The real problem revealed by this scenario is not geometry.
It is interpretation.

When competition design creates an unrealistic ceremonial environment,
the responsibility of the instructor and judge is not to improvise—

but to ask a single doctrinal question:

What facing relationship does TC 3-21.5 require at the moment of posting?

Answer that correctly,
and every other decision becomes clear.

Final Doctrinal Conclusion

In the VFW/AL U-shaped competition layout:

• Rear-approach posting is not authorized.
• Turning backs to the audience during posting is doctrinally correct.
• Two compliant solutions exist, with column flow to the stands being ceremonially superior.
• Backward marching is legal and not retreat.

Most importantly:

Flag dignity is preserved by obedience to doctrine—not by audience perception.

Judge’s Quick Reference – U-Shaped Posting Route (VFW / AL Scenario)

Governing Authorities

• Flag Code
• TC 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies

Judging decisions must derive from these sources only, not local tradition or audience expectation.

Core Doctrinal Principle

Posting orientation is determined by the guard’s relationship to the stands—not the audience.

If the prescribed route terminates between the audience and the stands,
the guard must turn toward the stands to post, which will place their backs toward the audience.

This is doctrinally correct and not disrespectful.

Movements NOT Authorized for Ceremonial Color Guard

Judges must not expect or reward:

• Flank movements
• Column commands used as maneuver elements

Ceremonial color guard movement authority is limited to:

In Line Formation

• Wheel
• Colors Reverse

In Column Formation

• Follow-the-leader curvature
• Rounded corners (no pivot mechanics)

Acceptable Posting Solutions in the U-Shaped Layout

Preferred Ceremonial Solution

Temporary column flow to the stands

Indicators of correctness:

• Smooth curvature into the posting area
• Controlled Mark Time near the stands
• Situational right face directly toward stands
• Forward departure after posting (no retrograde appearance)

This solution best preserves:

• Ceremonial dignity
• Spatial realism
• Visual effectiveness

Fully Doctrinal Alternate

Line halt → backward clearance → Colors Reverse

Key judging notes:

• Backward marching is authorized
• This does not constitute the national “retreating”
• Movement remains compliant with TC 3-21.5

Expect a more mechanical visual effect, but no deduction for legality.

Movements Explicitly Forbidden

Only two maneuvers are prohibited:

• To the Rear, March
• About Face

Reason:

These would cause the national color to turn its back during ceremonial movement,
which violates doctrinal facing requirements.

Common Judging Errors to Avoid

Do not penalize for:

• Posting with backs to the audience when geometry requires it
• Temporary column formation used solely for spatial alignment
• Backward marching used to gain clearance after posting

These actions may be necessary for doctrinal compliance.

Bottom Line for Judges

When evaluating U-shaped posting routes, ask one question:

Does the guard maintain correct facing and dignity relative to the colors and stands in accordance with TC 3-21.5?

If the answer is yes,
the performance is doctrinally sound, regardless of audience sightlines or local custom.