I was asked for direction for outfitting a CAP color guard with the proper equipment and decided to expand it to AFJROTC and SFJROTC units as well. Below is the full explanation with links.
AF Color Guard 1953
While AF/SFJROTC and CAP are required to follow USAF standards (but does not in areas of drill and ceremonies) one area where the programs do follow and yet seem not to is the color of web belts, who wears the belts, and the color of colors harnesses.
Historically, the first USAF color guards were made of Air Police (AP), Airmen who were in the law enforcement (security forces) specialty. APs (just like the Army’s MPs) wore pistol belts and were armed with sidearms during the duty day. They took care of the color guard requirements for their base. When it came to more formal occasions and even ceremonies, the pistol belt was switched to the white version. When it came to a color guard, the guards would be armed with the sidearm, but the bearers would remove their pistol belt and wear a (white) colors harness. You can see this in the photo at the right. That color guard posed for photos for the first AF drill and ceremonies manual in 1953.
Adjustable Poles
Metal and dark wood staffs are not authorized. Purchasing them is a waste (fraud, waste, and abuse) of funding, no matter where you get the funds. I cannot help you with this.
You can go with the USAF ceremonial belt, but that requires wear of the ceremonial cap and the silver stripe on the trouser leg. A bit expensive and the only way this is authorized for CAP is if the cadet goes through a regional academy teaching ceremonial drill.
Epaulet cord – called an infantry-type cord. This is the type, https://www.glendale.com/button-loop-cord-two-colors/ but Glendale does not seem to have single colors on the website. If you call and order just white, I’m sure they can take care of you.
There is nothing official because this is not usual. However, those who do not march for a living and are not conditioned to do so, may want to station a second team half-way along the parade route to change out teams. There are a couple different ways to accomplish this. Let’s review.
Two Complete Teams Exchange
Two Complete Teams
This would be the easiest to accomplish but would require your unit to have two complete sets of equipment: rifles, flagstaffs with colors mounted, and colors harnesses at a minimum.
At the half-way point, the first team would march from the center of the road to the side as the second team marches from the side to the center and finishes the parade as shown above. FYI, the second team will not “fall for the banana in the tailpipe.”
Changing Members images 1-2 and 3
Switching Out Personnel- Continuous Marching
This is an idea I created if the parade is constantly moving forward with no time to stop, and you don’t have two complete teams. As I wrote above in the image, there are, more or less, three steps, I will explain them a bit more here.
“Split It” is a command used in the ceremonial drill world because color guards march shoulder-to-shoulder and when the team mut halt and bring their equipment to Order, they have to split to obtain Close Interval spacing to manipulate the equipment safely.
After widening the gaps of both teams, the second team moves to the right of each team member they are replacing. The following happens simultaneously.
Color bearers bring the staff to Raised Guidon, just like the first position for going to Order (right hand on the staff at the top of the head, left hand at chest). At that moment, the second team bearers grasp the staff in the same manner and bring it to centered on their torsos and then insert the lower ferrule into the socket.
The guards come to Port and while dropping the right hand to the side, pass the rifle to the right with the left hand. The second team guards grasp the rifle at Port, pull it to centered on their torsos and execute the proper shoulder movements.
The second moves through as the first team takes smaller steps, not slower, to drop back. As the first team moves away and heads to the side of the road, the second team moves to Close Interval and marches the rest of the parade.
Equipment Exchange at the Halt
Switching Out Personnel- A Formal Exchange at the Halt
The first team halts.
The second team marches to directly in front of, centered on, and about two steps away from the first team.
The first team national bearer gives the command, “Present, ARMS!” and everyone renders a salute. If the org bearer has a military color, it does not dip and only the guards render Present with their rifles as the second team all render the hands salute.
The commander gives “Carry, COLORS!” and everyone drops their salute while colors remain at Carry.
The first team national bearer moves to give the US to the second team national bearer.
(The first team state bearer moves to give the US to the second team state bearer.)
The first team org bearer moves to give the US to the second team org bearer.
Both guards move to Port and step forward and exchange the rifles. The easiest method is to keep the rifle at the Port position with the left hand while bringing the right hand up to the upper hand guard and reaching around the rifle to be able to twist it into the Port position for the second team guard in front of you. The second team guards grasp the rifles at Port and bring the rifles to the appropriate shoulder position.
First team commander give “Right, FACE” and “FORWARD MARCH!” for the first team. They march off.
Second team commander gives “About Wheel, MARCH!” or “Colors Reverse, MARCH” or even “Countermarch, MARCH!” to turn the team around and continue marching the parade.
I was recently asked about splitting a color guard formation and this is such a good question, that I decided it needs to be an article to help inform others.
Question
My team is posting a color guard that will be on a narrow porch in front of the entrance to a building. I am contemplating splitting the team, a foreign national flag and musket on the left and the US flag and musket on the right. My idea is to have them facing each other for the official party to pass through the color guard to enter the building. Is this permissible?
Answer
What you describe here is a pseudo honor cordon, two lines of people facing each other. Having anyone pass between your colors and guards doesn’t maintain the integrity of the formation unless you can have two guards per flag. That way you have two separate formations but having anyone pass between both formations as they face each other is not the appropriate . If you can do that, that would work. If not, keeping your formation together at one side of the entrance is the most appropriate.
Below is a photo of a joint service honor guard arrival ceremony at the river entrance of the Pentagon. In the center, going up the steps, is the cordon. At the bottom of the steps are two separate color guards, each team holding national colors.
Honor Cordon at Pentagon River Entrance
Appropriate Splitting
Splitting a monument or an area in which to lay a wreath is appropriate as you can see in the photos below.
For any color guard, military, civilian, or civil, it might be a good idea to add a guard on the inside of each half of the team. Why you would need to do that I am not sure, but it is authorized for the military.
I will add a note here. AFPAM 334-1203, AF/SF drill and ceremonies manual, states “The Air Force or Space Force flags are never carried without the US flag.” In the image below, even though there are two extra guards, essentially creating two different teams, one could say that the US flag is “present”. We have one team with the US, Army, and Marine Corps colors, and the other with the Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard colors. I’m not a fan of that setup, protocol-wise.
By the way, just because the USAF states that the departmental color is not carried on it’s own and the other manuals do not mention it does not mean other service color can be carried alone. All manuals state and show what a color guard is, each position, and who mans those positions. The only time one flag is carried is when it is just the US flag with two guard.
Split Colors at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier FrontSplit Colors at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier RearSplit Colors JFK MemorialSplit Colors Jefferson MemorialSplit Colors Washington Tomb RightSplit Colors Washington Tomb LeftSplit Colors Lincoln MemorialSplit Colors Lincoln Memorial
Marine Corps Order 5060.20, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies, is the drill and ceremonies (D&C) manual for the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and other sea services (NOAA, Merchant Mariners, and Public Health). But it doesn’t apply, as stated at the beginning of the manual, to two key organizations in the Marine Corps. Why on earth would that be? Let’s find out.
Statement for Applicability
This Order encompasses all close order drill and ceremonial procedures for use by Marine Corps organizations with the exception of Marine Barracks, Washington, DC1, Officer Candidate School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, and MCRD San Diego2. (superscript number additions mine)
Encl 1, paragraph 4. C. (1), MCO 5060.20
The Explanations
1 Marine Barracks, Washington, DC (MBW) is the Marine Corps’ ceremonial escort to the President and as such has the highest level of expectations for drill and ceremonies. While MCO 5060 and the sister service equivalent manuals detail what is called Regulation Drill, the Marines at MBW perform Ceremonial Drill.
2 OCS and both MCRDs drill from 5060.20 but indirectly. All three organizations use the current MCO and essentially take a copy of the manual, add instructional information to it for the Drill Instructors at each location and teach from that.
The Reasoning
MBW. It stands to reason that the type of drill required in and around Washinton DC for the myriad of ceremonies is different. Modifications have been necessary to ensure the troops are able to perform with minimal negative influence on their body.
For instance, facing movements do not have a pivot due to the different marching surfaces. While marching on grass, a pivot can tear up that portion of soil and kill the grass. When marching on carpet or other surfaces, a pivot can cause an audible squeak and cause the foot to get stuck. Easy flow of movement is required at all times. The position of Stand at Ease is similar to Parade Rest but with the hands in front so as not to cause strain on the chest and shoulders.
Color guard movements are different for several reasons. The extremely detailed descriptions of each position and movement leaves nothing to guesswork. This saves time for training amongst the services when working together and opens the door to the highest levels of achievement possible in front of international dignitaries.
The MCRDs. It makes no sense whatsoever to state that the MCO’s standards are not applicable to OCS and the MCRDs when in fact they are absolutely applicable. MCO 5060.20 is the instructional source material, period. Everything taught at these three locations is, or should be, exactly what the MCO states.
It is my belief that the statement quoted above is the reason behind the mismatched application of the written standard that you can see when you view Marines in the Fleet. There are five D&C standards in the Marine Corps when there should only be two:
MCO 5060.20
MBW (Understandably different. FYI, the Barracks Order comes from the MCO.)
OCS
MCRD Paris Island
MCRD San Diego
Not every Marine performs the same, but do not go off half-cocked and say the MCO is not applicable. As you have read above, it is where all sea service D&C originates.
The Photo at the Top
The photo is of an OCS graduation pass-in-review. While much is correct in the photo, some key issues are wrong.
The guidon bearer is almost alongside the formation commander on the left.
The rifle guards are at Present, which is never accomplished when marching. The command is “Eyes, Right” requiring the heads to turn, the organizational to dip, and nothing else to happen.
The bearers have the two-handed grip (high winds, perfectly acceptable), but the right is not at mouth level and the left is above the right.
A Better Statement for Applicability
This Order encompasses all close order drill and ceremonial procedures for use by all Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard organizations with the exception of Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, The US Navy Ceremonial Guard, and The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard.
Officer Candidate Schools for the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, Merchant Mariners, Public Health Service, as well as Marine Corps Recruit Depots Parris Island and San Diego, Navy Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, the Naval Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy use this manual for all close order drill and ceremonial procedures with modification only for local instruction. Modification of the standards contained within is not authorized.
We need better clarity. The above paragraphs are my stab at creating clearer communication. To that end, the title needs to be changed to something like “Department of the Navy Drill and Ceremonies”.
Most cadets and many adults know only this phrase about fainting (flaking) in formation. You definitely need to expand your knowledge to educate those for of whom you are responsible.
Capitol police officer fainting at guard change for casket watch.
Do you really think a Marine Corps Drill Instructor is going to hyper extend his knee joints (what is commonly called “locking”)?” No, he would not be so careless.
So, what happened? Let’s take a look at the possibilities.
Dehydration. It takes three days to properly hydrate, and you must stay hydrated, especially when active.
Didn’t eat well or changed diet. Even switching protein powder that morning can have a very serious effect on blood sugar content. Your body needs a consistent supply of food and, more importantly, relies on the regular intake of food.
Start of or getting over an illness. Zinc and D3 are your best friends.
Start of pregnancy. I once had a female friend in formation who was gaining weight and didn’t know why so she began an altered diet to lose weight. She passed out at guard mount and she and her husband found out they were going to have a baby.
“Time of the Month”. A woman’s monthly cycle can cause fluctuations in hormones and body changes that can affect how she reacts to standing in formation for an amount of time.
“Locking” your knees. That engages your thigh muscles which restricts blood flow upstream to your brain. That’s bad news many times.
Anxiety. Maybe you’re not prepared as well as you think you should be. Maybe it’s being out in the public and performing.
Lack of Conditioning. Exercise is very necessary several times a week- weights and walking/running can be beneficial for many reasons.
A combination of any of the above.
The Soldier on the floor in the photo above changed his protein powder the morning of the ceremony. By the way, the ceremony had a showtime of 0400 and performance time of 0800, so everyone was in place at 0700.
Relax
The position of Attention should be a relatively relaxed position- not as relaxed as sitting on the couch at home, but there shouldn’t be any unnecessary stress on the muscles in the body.
When at Attention, you should not “pull your shoulders back” as that creates stress on your upper back.
The only tension that should be in your body is enough to cup your hands and pull them back to have your thumbs on the trouser seams.
Locking your knees can put stress on your heels, taking much of your bodyweight.
“Locking” your knees is actually hyper extending the knee joints
You can over stretch ligaments, putting excessive stress and pressure on the surface of the knee and make your quadriceps weak.
Standing in a “locked” position for long periods of time can tear or strain ligaments and help to break down cartilage, especially the meniscus that helps protect and move the knee.
Locking can actually promote arthritis in the patella (the knee cap), or the knee joint.
Doctors suspect that locking the knees increases pressure on the vascular system throughout the legs, causing varicose and spider veins.
Your center of balance creates many pounds of pressure on your feet. If you force your heels to support the majority of your weight, it can result in constant heel pain. This also travels up the back of the legs into the lower back.
In the graphic above, the grey star is the goal for your center of balance at Attention and Parade Rest. The red star is what you don’t want to do. Placing your center of balance at your heels makes you feel as if you are leaning back or possibly will fall backwards and that is why some people will lock their knees, to keep from falling backwards.
Condition
You must condition yourself for long stands, especially in direct sunlight with heat and humidity. Work to increase your stamina by race-walking, running, swimming, or another aerobic exercise. Weight training is going to be very beneficial for you as well. You don’t need to get “muscle bound”, lifting weights will keep your body toned to support your structure and keep your weight at a healthy level.
Airlines receive caskets all the time, travelers just don’t usually know it unless the remains are of a member of the military. If military, the casket is draped with a flag and that gives it away.
I keep posting about this subject on social media to help the airlines understand that the practice of placing a flag on a casket shipping container must stop.
What is a Casket Shipping Container?
A shipping container, called an air tray in the industry, for a casket is pictured below. The combo tray is for remains not in a casket while the air tray is for casketed remains. For a complete explanation of both, please click here In Valhalla.
Air Combo Tray RWST From www.richardswilbert.comCasket Air Tray From https://in-valhalla.com
How is it Used?
A casket arrives at the airport shipping center via a hearse or van. The flag is removed, folded, and the escort (a death on Active Duty, see the movie Taking Chance) holds onto it throughout the flight(s). Workers then place the casket in the tray (the rigid wood bottom) and place the cardboard top over the casket and fit the top inside the lip of the tray. Bands are then wrapped over the lid and through the tray and secured.
Casket Air Tray Cutaway Example From easterncasket.com
The shipping container is transported to the aircraft, loaded last into the cargo area with the luggage, and unloaded first to change planes or taken to an awaiting hearse at the final destination. What is depicted in the photo at the top of the page is most likely a plane transfer.
Planeside Honors
When the plane arrives at the final destination, the ground crew or military members climb into the cargo area, remove the straps, remove the lid, drape the flag over the casket, place a casket band around the flag so that it does not blow off, and move the casket (still on the tray, the bottom piece) to the conveyor belt, the pallbearers take the casket and place it in the hearse. This is called Planeside Honors.
Improper
As you can see some military members have no idea that the air tray must be dismantled and the flag placed over the casket. These two images just happen to show Marines. That is not a reflection on the Marine Corps, the photos are just examples of what not to do. All services have made this mistake. Pallbearers need to insist the air tray is taken care of properly. You are in charge, not the ground crew.
Planeside Honors USMCPlaneside Honors USMC
Proper
The images below show the Ceremonial Guardsmen from the service honor guards in Washington DC. As for whether the flag (casket) should be draped or dressed, read here for an explanation.
Planeside Honors USMCPlaneside Honors US ArmyPlaneside Honors USAFPlaneside Honors USNPlaneside Honors USNPlaneside Honors US Army
If the casket is merely being transferred from on aircraft to another for a connecting flight, rendering honors for the deceased is most appropriate, but the flag is not to be placed, even temporarily, on the air tray.
Inappropriate Flag Placement on Shipping Container
4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag (e). The flag is not placed in an area where it may be easily damaged.
The same two sections of the Flag Code (4 U.S. Code § 7 (b) & 8 (d)) also describe, among other restrictions, that the flag does not drape anything else.
I have been posting critiques on social media for several years now. The critiques are meant to educate, and my overwhelming feedback shows it works time and again. Some view the critiques as personal attacks, I cannot help that, no matter how I structure my phrasing.
Holding others accountable in the area of drill and ceremonies, and protocol is new. I know of no other who has ever critiqued publicly or privately like I do. Many, many people and organizations have worked to fix errors that I have identified over the years and it’s quite possible Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes is one.
In the summer of 2023, I felt compelled to make a critique video of a graduation ceremony. You can see a screenshot below.
RTC Color Guard 2023RTC Color Guard 2024
RTC Color Guard
The color guard in the 2023 graduation ceremony and for every graduation in years past, carried the POW/MIA flag. A flag that is not authorized to be carried in a color guard. For more on that read All About POW/MIA Flag Protocol, https://thedrillmaster.org/2019/01/15/all-about-the-pow-mia-flag-protocol/. In the 2024 image, you can see that just the US Navy Departmental and the RTC organizational are being carried. However, MCO 5060.20 does not allow for any other color to be carried besides the departmental. Navy units that do have a battalion organizational color can carry that in addition to the national and USN.
See my video critique of the graduation ceremony here.
As of May 2024, the POW/MIA flag is no longer carried, and I very much appreciate that. Next on the to-do list is to work on the state and territory color bearers adhering to color bearer standards clearly stated in MCO 5060.20 and the static display in the building where the graduations take place.
States and Territories Bearers
Carry is only executed with the staff vertical. Angled to the side and then whipped around in a sweeping motion to the front is not authorized. This is all “exhibition” type movement and quite inappropriate.
The palm-out hold technique is not authorized. You perpetuate that grip technique that is not used in the US, so no wonder others think it’s appropriate.
Several state colors have changed and need to be updated immediately.
NEVER push a color (a flag mounted on a flagstaff) forward at Parade Rest. Colors always remain vertical at Parade Rest. The colors are so large that they touch the deck.
You are using 4’x6’ colors. The Department of the Navy (DoN) uses 4’4”x5’6” colors. However, the military sized color is more expensive, and I see no reason to replace every single color, an extremely expensive prospect (over $10,000), just to be within a standard when it is not all that obvious.
Staffs are required to be the light ash wood guidon staffs 9’6” in length with gold-colored ferrules and middle screw joint. You are using the dark brown staffs that are for civilian indoor display that were never intended to be used in a color guard.
Finials are supposed to be the gold-colored battle-ax (battalion lance). You are using the flat Roman era spearhead.
Marching and Sword Manual
The marching in place with the extreme leg lift is not authorized. MCO 5060.20 states the toe is raised 2” and the heel 4” off the deck.
Platoon commanders (any rank) face the platoon for all commands given while static.
Color Guard
Fringe is not authorized on the national.
These staffs are also required to be the light ash wood guidon staffs 9’6” in length with gold-colored ferrules and middle screw joint. You are using the dark brown staffs that are for civilian indoor display that were never intended to be used in a color guard.
You are to march and stand at Close Interval only.
Left hands are cut to the side and do not swing when marching.
All color guard members wear the white web belt.
The harness socket is worn under the web belt below the waist (please avoid the placing it over the crotch) and each one shall be adjusted to as close to the same level as possible without the departmental being higher than the national.
Right arms are not pinned to the staff, the elbow is relaxed and at an approximate 30-degree angle from vertical.
You march at 116-120 steps per minute. Nothing slower or faster, nor changing tempo is authorized.
You cannot perform a Wheel movement (center rotation) as that is for joint colors formations only in the DoN, you must perform a Turn (rotation on the guard).
Guards cannot use a “Mirror Present”, they must follow the standard set down in the MCO.
On the first note of the Anthem (when the first word is sung, not the intro of the version used), the Departmental must be dipped in a 1-count move. That is ON the first note, not several notes in.
RTC Static Colors Display
Colors Display
On the stage, behind the speaker’s podium, also needs to be addressed. The same staffs and finials need to be implemented.
When appropriate the Personal/Positional Color of the visiting dignitary who takes part in the ceremony (reviewing officer, guest speaker) should be displayed.
The static display below does not meet flag protocol requirements.
The national must be on the viewer’s left. No other flag is displayed to the left of the national, ever.
Military displays do not post the US in the center because of the requirement that all staffs are the same length.
The gold-colored cord and tassels is not authorized for any display of departmental colors.
All finials must be the same type. The least expensive alternative to this would be to replace the spread eagle with the conical spear.
The staff are not guidon staffs, which is mandatory, but to not spend about $1400 on the correct staffs, leave them.
The staffs should be 9’6″.
The Colors should be 4’4″x5’6″ as per paragraph 1710, NTP 13(B) and AR 840-10, MCO 5060.20, and AFI 34-1201. These colors are most likely 4’x6’ and are not authorized for display or to be carried in the US military.
RTC Static ColorsRTC Static Colors
Kudos to the Drum Corps and Drill Team! But…
RTC Drum CorpsRTC Drum Corps Mallet PlayersRTC Drill TeamRTC Drill TeamRTC Drill Team Wrong Hands For Inspection ArmsRTC Drill Team Wrong Hands For Inspection Arms
The rifles in the images above are replica M1 Garands. What you see in the bottom three photos is the RTC Drill Team using the wrong hands for Inspection Arms for the M1 Garand (and M14). The M1903 has a bolt handle that is only actioned with the right hand as shown in the above photos. Inspection Arms for the M1903 is very different from the M1/M14 for the hands.
In contrast to that, both the M1 and M14 have an operating rod (charging) handle that is actioned with the left hand as shown below. The following images are from Enclosure 3, Appendix A, Manual of Arms with the M1 Service Rifle.
Just in case this argument tries to rear its ugly head, there’s no such thing as a local SOP or other guidance that veers away from the stated standards of the Department of the Navy. You can tighten standards locally, you can’t loosen.
In October of 2024, the Air Force furthered the coverage of instructions and other regulations to include AFI 34-1201. It is now DAFI, Department of the Air Force Instruction, 90-1201 aligning it under the AF Policy Directive 90 series. Did artificial “intelligence” write this? Because this is really bad.
By including the “D” (Department of the) in front of AFI (Air Force Instruction), the application of the instruction is for both the USAF and USSF. There are now letter “D’s” at the front of many abbreviations for instructions, manuals, pamphlets, etc. Download DAFI 90-1201 from the Resources page.
I appreciate the update! I do, but the wording is poor in areas and there is a severe lack of standardization and almost completely abandoning DoD flag standards. Here is a brief summary from DeVaughn Simper, Professor Flag, on social media.
From Professor Flag
The DAFI 90-1201 (8 October 2024) provides comprehensive guidance on protocol and customs for the Air Force and Space Force, replacing the previous AFI 34-1201 (18 August 2020). The instruction expands on flag protocols, ceremonies, distinguished visitor handling, gifts, and mementos, aligning with the Department of the Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 90-12.
Key Updates:
Expanded Guidance on Flag Protocol:
Includes specific regulations for U.S., POW/MIA, state, and international flags, both indoors and outdoors.
Detailed procedures for half-staff displays and event-specific flag use.
US Space Force (USSF) Integration:
Incorporates Space Force-specific customs, courtesies, and organizational flags.
Distinct guidance on displaying and handling Space Force flags, streamers, and guidons.
Ceremonies and Social Functions:
Revised procedures for official ceremonies and events like senior leader changes of command, which now include Space Force protocols.
Updated guidance for organizing official social functions, including receiving lines, seating arrangements, and attire.
Gifts and Mementos:
Updated rules on gift giving and receiving, including authorized purchases for coins and other memorabilia.
Event Planning and Management:
New instructions for managing protocols at events, including attendee lists, seating charts, invitation management, and after-action reports.
Differences from AFI 34-1201:
Inclusion of USSF: DAFI 90-1201 integrates USSF-specific guidance and distinguishes protocol practices for Air Force and Space Force members.
Expanded Roles and Responsibilities: The protocol office’s roles now include a broader scope covering both services, and additional guidance is provided for program implementation, event management, and financial management related to official functions.
Additional Flag Guidance: DAFI 90-1201 provides more detailed flag regulations, especially regarding the POW/MIA flag and international flag displays, as compared to the previous AFI which had fewer specifics.
Modernized Social and Ceremonial Event Protocols: Enhanced clarity on the use of appropriated and non-appropriated funds and additional guidelines for planning events, such as uniform equivalency and customs related to Space Force attire and ceremonies.
Summary for JROTC Units:
The DAFI 90-1201 offers updated and comprehensive guidelines for handling flag protocols, ceremonies, and events involving both the Air Force and Space Force. For JROTC units, understanding these protocols is essential for ensuring proper conduct during official functions and ceremonies. This updated instruction emphasizes the importance of integrating Space Force customs and courtesies and provides extensive details on managing distinguished visitors, event coordination, and ceremonial flag displays. The DAFI builds on the foundations laid by AFI 34-1201, with expanded guidance that includes considerations specific to the Space Force and it modernizes procedures for current operational needs.
Rescind NOW!
Not double and triple checking information with Army standards (where we began) and ensuring text is as clear as possible is why there are Airmen around the USAF are using all kinds of unauthorized equipment. We need to go deeper.
By publishing this new AFI, the USAF has now completely confused thousands of Airmen, Guardians, and cadets. Did anyone run this by the Institute of Heraldry? I seriously doubt it. The TIOH, is the repository of US military history and standards. It never should have been published without a fresh set of eyes going over it. Tell you what, I will do that. You’re welcome. Rescind this manual, go back, and completely rework it.
There are many, many positives in the new version and to go over those would take longer than you and I want to spend on this article. I am only going over the negatives with a couple of positives in places. Here we go.
Flags
2.3. Outdoor Flag Display, Sizes, and Occasions. 2.3.1. U.S. flags designed primarily for outdoor display will be made of nylon-wool or heavyweight nylon without fringe. [Please add the rest of a flag’s nomenclature! Describe the header band with brass grommets at the header end. You inform the reader of the meaning of hoist and fly in Attachment 1, but you never use the terms in the AFI. The text falls short. You should also describe how to mend an outside flag.]
2.3.5.4. Commanders obtain instructions on the [add- use, display, and folding*] of flags in foreign countries from the office of the U.S. Defense Attaché located in the U.S. Embassy.
*Foreign national flags are usually folded into a rectangle or rolled.
Guidon Staff and Flagstaff Length
Guidons have been mounted to and carried on 8-foot staffs since the 1800s. We have never used the 7-foot staff for a guidon. By the way, any pole under 10’ is called a “staff” not a “pole”.
AFI 34-1201 (2020)
2.34.1.3. Guidon. Flagstaffs for guidons are 8 feet in length plus the staff ornament.
AFI 90-1201 (2024)
2.9.1.5. Guidon Flag. These flags are 1 foot 8 inches with a pole sleeve, by 2 foot 3 3/4 inches to the end of the swallowtail and forked six inches. Guidons are displayed on a 7-foot flagstaff.
2.10.2. Flagstaffs for guidons are eight feet in length.
You have given two lengths of staff for the guidon within a handful of paragraphs. The linear distance is less than an 11” page! The standard is an 8’gudion staff, period.
2.9.1.1. Ceremonial Flag. This flag is 4 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 6 inches with a pole sleeve. The flag is trimmed on three edges with fringe 2 inches wide (Space Force flag trim is 2½ inches wide). The flag is displayed on a 9-foot flagstaff.
2.9.1.2. Organizational Flag. This flag is 3 feet by 5 feet with a pole sleeve. It is trimmed on three edges with rayon fringe 2 inches wide (Space Force flag trim is 2 ½ inches wide). The flag is displayed on a 7 -foot flagstaff, (8 or 9-foot flagstaff when displayed with larger flags).
2.10.6. Ferrule*. The metal pointed bottom affixed to the flagpole, also known as a pike, is normally silver in color to match the finial, which is an additional length to the pole. The ferrule is not mandatory and changes the way a flag fits into a base or the overall height of the pole.
*There is an upper and lower ferrule to the guidon staff and flagstaff. The AFI wording, while poor and inadequate, now allows for the lower ferrule to be removed. Even with the lower ferrule removed, it is still not going to work. The bottom of the staff is tapered, the staff will still list to one side. Read this article to understand what a floor stand adapter is (a tube inserted into a stand) and how to use it. The adapter is the answer, not removing the lower ferrule.
Guidon and Colors Flagstaff Nomenclature
I have to add a brief note here. In all of my research I found only one company that offers a guidon flagstaff that does not have the lower ferrule, and the lower half of the staff does not taper. This would be the only staff that would meet the requirements for a static display without the adapter.
Keep the three bullet points above in mind for the following. The Protocol AFI not fully defining terms is why we have base honor guard, ROTC, and JROTC units with different length staffs and flags mounted to staffs without fringe.
“Guidon staff” and “flagstaff” are general terms meaning the whole staff, the wood plus the metal ferrules and finial. I have worked with color guards since high school (1979) and no one has ever said “flagstaff” and then said something like “but only the wood, not the ferrules and finial.” The measurement is just the wood, but the wording in the AFI is terrible.
Since the USAF can use either the one- or two-piece staff, the middle screw joint of the two-piece staff replaces the wood of the one-piece staff and is counted in length.
The historical source document from the early 1900s where the USAF gets its information, AR 260-10 and then AR 840-10, states staff length is 8’ and 9’6” for the US military and Presidential staffs are 10’ long. The USAF added the 7’ staff for internally (AF/SF) posted colors only, not for carrying around for any ceremony and never for joint service.
Ash flagstaffs come in 7’, 8’, and 9’6” lengths. These flagstaffs began life as only for the military and therefore only those lengths are offered. You constantly use the term “9-foot flagstaff” because you are only measuring the wood? If so, then when you reference the 8-foot staff, you need to make the term 7’6” and for the 7′ staff, use 6’6″. However, that is just a complete mix-up of wording that confuses. Flagstaffs come in 7’, 8’, and 9’6” lengths. Stop using bad wording.
2.9.1.2. now allows smaller flags to be mounted on a longer staff and displayed with larger flags. That leads to a mismatch in flag sizes in the same display. There was zero thought put forward here.
I have to break up the next partially incoherent quote of paragraph 2.10.1.
Flagstaffs are meant to carry a flag at full staff.
What? I mean that with all sincerity. What does that mean? Are you saying that the flag is attached to a flagstaff at the top and is never placed lower on the staff. Most people use the terms flagstaff and flagpole interchangeably when a flagstaff is only for indoor display or for carrying in a color guard and a flagpole is a permanent structure outside in the ground.
Wooden flagstaffs can be one piece or a breakdown style
“Breakdown style”? You mean “two-piece”.
and should be light ash in color.
Yes! I have to highlight this for everyone out there who has been such a thorn in my side, including an “HQ”. There you go, light ash wood guidon flagstaffs are the ONLY STAFF AUTHORIZED.
Flagstaffs in darker wood colors should be replaced through attrition with the light ash color and all flagstaffs in a display should be the same color.
Those using the junk brown staffs are going to push this to the limits just like those still using the ball finial. This also means metal staffs are not authorized.
Ensure all flags in a display are the same size and height.
You just said in 2.9.1.2. that an organizational flag can be displayed with a ceremonial flag! Per correct protocol, flag are ALWAYS the same size (US, state, territory, county, city, and military flags) or as close as possible (foreign, or US flags that are a different type, e.g. Ohio).
For clarification, the size of the flagstaffs does not include the staff ornament, head, or finial.
This clarification does not matter at all because your measurements are off. “staff ornament, head, or finial” those three are the same thing. You may want to rewrite that for clarity to read “staff ornament (head or finial)” or “staff ornament/head/finial”.
2.10.4. Eagle Ornament. It is by precedence the eagle finial be used only with the Presidential flag. However, if the U.S. flag is displayed with the Presidential flag, then both may have the eagle finial.
“It is by precedence”. That would be spelled “historic protocol” that the Presidential flags have the spread-eagle finial. It is not just the flag of the President; it is also the VP’s flag and the service departmental colors that are in the Oval Office. All of those 10-foot staffs are topped with the spread eagle.
“Both may have”? No, both will have the eagle finial. The USAF can do some internal things like adding the 7’ staff for a static display, what it cannot do is change higher protocol. All Presidential colors are topped with the spread eagle.
Breakdown of 2.10.6.
Ferrule. The metal pointed bottom affixed to the flagpole
There are two ferrules on a flagstaff. There are zero ferrules on a flagpole. Stop using the terms interchangeably. A ferrule is attached to wood to prevent splitting.
also known as a pike
Erroneously, yes. The USAF never used a pike (a 10’ or longer spear with a sharp point). Since the beginning of the Army Air Corps, the lance (historically, 8’) was used, the pike (historically, 9’6″) was for mechanized units.
is normally silver in color to match the finial
Nope, not “normally”. Remove that word because paragraph 2.10.3. Authorized Finial, it states that the “decorative device at the top of a flagstaff is the finial. The authorized finial for DAF use is the silver spade.” (Emphasis mine)
which is an additional length to the pole. The ferrule is not mandatory and changes the way a flag fits into a base or the overall height of the pole.
Flags do not fit into stands (a “base”), but flagstaffs do. It does not matter that the ferrule(s) change the length of the staff because staffs are sold as a whole including the hardware. You need to remove all of this confusing language referring to staff length with and without the hardware. You are not clear at all.
You fixed the order of precedence! In 2020 you had the Space Force last in paragraph 2.11. and fixed it and moved it to A12.10.
Flag Size
2.9.1.2. Organizational Flag. This flag is 3 feet by 5 feet with a pole sleeve. 2.9.1.3. Positional Flag. This flag is 3 feet by 5 feet with a pole sleeve. 2.9.1.4. Individual Flag. This flag is 3 feet by 5 feet with a pole sleeve.
2.9.2. A substitute size for the personal, ceremonial, and organizational size flags of 3 foot by 4 foot with a pole sleeve
Only this reg uses the term “individual” when everyone else on the face of the earth since time began has used “personal color” (PC for a general officer). You have to use “Individual (Personal Colors)” in several places and also write about “saluting individuals”, “death of individuals”, and “individual ceremonies”. See how this terminology for the PC possibly leads to confusion? It is a “PC” not an “IC”.
Ever since the USAF began as the Army Air Corps, colors only came in 4’4”x5’6”, ceremonial size, and 3’x4’, organizational size. Long ago, military flags used to come in 3’x5’ but in the 1800s when the colors were to be un/cased and the staff was held horizontal, most Soldiers were short enough that the flag material hit the ground. The Army’s solution? Cut off 6” from the header and fly ends. That set up the longstanding tradition of military colors being 3’x4’. Civilian size is 3’x5′.
3’x5’ has been a civilian size for around 200 years. That size is the “substitute size” if there needs to be, but there is no such thing as a “substitute size” because a substitute is never needed. By making the 3’x’5’ the standard size, you have made every USAF/SF organizational color and both types of PC larger than the other service colors or similar type. Can you even fathom what you have done here?
(2020) 2.27. Guidons. Guidons (Figure 2.30) are ultramarine blue nylon or wool bunting, swallow-tailed, 1 foot 8 inches by 2 feet 3¾ inches to the end of swallowtail, and forked 10 inches.
(2024) 2.9.1.5. Guidon Flag. These flags are 1 foot 8 inches with a pole sleeve, by 2 foot 3 ¾ inches to the end of the swallowtail and forked six inches.
By adding the wording “with pole sleeve” (it should be “staff sleeve” by the way), you have possibly shortened every guidon by three inches since the previous edition of the AFI. I know you did not mean this. Well, I hope you didn’t. Better wording here like “These flags are 1 foot 8 inches with a staff sleeve (the measurement has always included the staff sleeve)”.
Forked six or ten inches? It is 10″. Someone do at least a tiny bit of research instead of possibly just seeking an EPR bullet for getting an AFI out.
Your team is asked to present the colors at a game outside and there’s a chance of rain. What do you do?
Flag Material Types
Nylon – a common and inexpensive material that most colors are made of. Weather resistant.
Polyester – Similar to nylon, can look better. Weather resistant.
Rayon – and any blend with Rayon, is expensive and looks the best. Do not expose this material to any inclement weather at all.
Rain, Rain, Go Away…
There is no published guidance. It is up to you. As a suggestion to you, I offer the following:
There ceremony is about to begin, and the skies open up. Don’t present the colors.
The ceremony begins, the team is marching into place and the skies open up. On with the show and continue to present the colors.
Safety always. If there is lightning within 5 miles, it would probably be best not to present the colors or hold the game.
Recovery after Presenting in the Rain
If the ceremony starts, your team marches out and you and the flags get a little wet or soaked, as soon as you return to where you store your flags, unfurl and hang them up right away like in the image below:
Smooth the flags out and allow them to drip dry until completely dry. If the flag must be used before completely dry, try not to let the flag hang while the staff is vertical for very long and never allow a flag to dry while the staff is vertical, or it will dry out of shape and there’s not much that can be done for a flag in this condition.
The flag below is draped over a hanger. The header end, the end with the staff sleeve, is square, but the rest of the flag is completely out of shape because it was allowed to dry while the staff to which it was attached, was left vertical while the flag dried.
It’s an issue that has never been formally addressed before and the time has come to take care of the issue and give the US military guidance for all services. That means DoD Instruction 5410.19 Volume 4 needs to be updated. In this article I provide some suggestions for that.
Before We Begin
USAF BHG Color Guard in Germany with French Flag
Each individual service has their guidance for carrying a foreign national flag but it’s never addressed for joint teams. Those service regulations are AR 840-10, MCO 10520.3, and AFI 34-1201. The standard is simply stated: each service color guard can carry a foreign national color for a ceremony that meets all the requirements (the DoD Instruction mentioned above) in the color guard formation.
Marine Corps Color Guard with Separate National Colors in Static Line FormationMarine Corps Color Guard with Separate National Colors in Marching Line Formation
For the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, the usual is to make a separate three-man color guard (2 guards, foreign color bearer), but it’s not mandatory. If you do not have the personnel, you can insert the foreign national bearer in the color guard proper*.
*The color guard proper is the rank with the US flag.
From this information, we can see that inclusion of a foreign national flag in a color guard formation, the color guard proper or a second (even multiple) three-man team, is authorized.
The Scenarios
Scenario 1. An event checks off all the boxes to have a foreign national flag carried by a US service member (that instruction mentioned above has the requirements). But… there is a request to have a foreign service member carry their foreign flag as a part of the color guard.
The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard (US military members only) only carries the US and service departmental colors. There’s nothing that states a foreign national, state, or territory color is authorized, only the Dept colors. However, from the information provided above, we can hypothesize that a foreign national color could be included in the formation. What would be the standard for that foreign national flag?
The foreign military member provides the harness, flag, staff, and finial and positions himself to the left of the US bearer.
The US military unit provides the equipment.
Fringe on the flag would be up to either the situation above. If the formation has the Army present, all flags would have fringe. If the Army is absent, the Marine Corps would then be the senior service, have the standards to follow, and both national colors would not have fringe. If the Navy or Air Force was senior, fringe on both national colors would be the standard.
Joint International Separated Colors
Arrival ceremonies for foreign dignitaries here in the US (shown above) requires fringe to not be attached to both the US and foreign flags, regardless of the service standards followed. To read more about this, click here.
While it’s good to know the standards for fringe, above, fringe on the foreign flag would be up to whatever is on hand unless you have time to plan and have all the equipment ready to go.
Scenario 2. A US military member is requested to be part of an international color guard or line of flags. Every ship at sea, installation, and deployed unit should have a complete set of color guard equipment at the ready. When a request for a color guard or even a single color bearer comes up, you have the appropriate equipment.
Wrap Up
International relations are often taken care of at the individual level. Government to government takes place but each man and woman in uniform, especially overseas, is the best representative of their service, the US military and the United States of America. We can also be the worst but hopefully those interactions are very few and far between.
