In some organizations, particularly groups like the Sons of the American Revolution (from where I received the question below), it is common to see a “color guard commander” standing outside the formation, often carrying a sword and issuing commands to the guard.
This raises a frequent question:
Is this practice derived from early American military drill?
The short answer is no.
Image at the top of the page: Color Guard Commander Larry McKinley leads in presenting the Colors in Williamsburg, VA.
The Historical Structure
The American drill system established by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben placed the colors within a battalion formation, not as a separate ceremonial unit. In the 1779 manual Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, the colors were carried by a Color Sergeant and protected by assigned guards, but the formation did not have its own commander. Commands came from the battalion officers directing the entire unit.
In other words, the color guard was never commanded as an independent element.
Modern Military Practice
Modern U.S. military drill manuals follow the same principle. In manuals such as:
- Army Training Circular 3-21.5
- Marine Corps Order 5060.20
- Air Force Pamphlet 34-1203
a color guard functions as a self-contained formation. Commands normally originate within the formation itself, typically from the senior color bearer.
There is no dedicated commander positioned outside the formation.
Why Some Organizations Use One
So why do some organizations include an outside commander?
There are practical reasons:
- Many groups rely on volunteers who may not have formal drill training. An external commander can help control movement and timing.
- The commander with a sword adds visual structure and ceremonial pageantry.
- Over time, the practice becomes part of organizational tradition.
These factors make the practice understandable, but they also mean it is a ceremonial adaptation rather than a doctrinal structure.
A Rare Military Exception
There are limited ceremonial situations where oversight occurs outside the formation. For example, Army Training Circular 3-21.5 describes dining-in procedures where a unit Command Sergeant Major may oversee the colors during a formal dinner ceremony.
Even then, the manual notes that procedures may vary when the CSM oversees the colors, indicating that this is a situational ceremonial role rather than the normal command structure of a color guard.
Understanding the Difference
The key point is simple:
A color guard commander outside the formation is not derived from military drill doctrine. It is a ceremonial practice developed by some organizations for practical and visual purposes and by others due to a lack of understanding or misapplication of written standards.
Understanding this distinction helps preserve clarity between military color guard doctrine and civilian ceremonial adaptations.
For a full doctrinal analysis, see:
ICS DCS 40-003 — The Color Guard Commander: Doctrine, History, and Ceremonial Adaptation
Institute for Ceremonial Standards
https://ceremonialstandards.org