This article will help you understanding the difference between official military departmental flags and novelty military flags.
Flags have always played a significant role in the military. They serve as symbols of unity, identity, and honor, representing the values and traditions of a nation’s armed forces. While the official military department flags are well-recognized and carry historical significance, novelty military flags that veterans fly to show their pride in their service have gained popularity in recent years as a means of celebrating military service and identity. When planning events, displays, or even purchasing color guard equipment, it is critical to understand the differences between official military department flags and novelty military/service pride flags, shedding light on their respective roles and significance.
Official Military Department Flags
Official military department flags are the authorized flags representing various branches of a nation’s armed forces. These flags hold a solemn and historical significance and are used in official ceremonies, parades, and other formal military events. The key characteristics of these flags include:
Design Consistency: Official military department flags adhere to strict design and color standards, ensuring uniformity and respect for tradition. For instance, the United States military branches (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard) have distinct, standardized flags with specific emblems and colors that come in very specific sizes.
Historic Significance: These flags have a rich history and often trace their origins back to the founding of the armed forces or their predecessor organizations. They are deeply rooted in tradition and carry the weight of their service’s history and sacrifices.
Solemn Use: Official military department flags are reserved for formal and solemn occasions such as military funerals, retirement ceremonies, and official parades. They symbolize the seriousness and honor associated with military service.
Government Authorization: The design and use of these flags is governed by regulations and laws. Unauthorized use or modification of these flags is generally prohibited. The DOD and each department have established clear regulations which describe the proper proportions, design elements, sizes, and usage.
The “real”, authorized flags of the US military. The Space Force flag is the only one different here to show you what an Indoor/Outdoor flag looks like. It has a staff sleeve and fringe. All service flags must have fringe that is gold in color, but the SF is the only one that requires fringe that is silver in color (more grey than true silver).
Novelty Military Flags
Novelty military pride flags, on the other hand, have gained popularity in recent years, serving as a more personal expressive form of honoring military service and identity. These flags are characterized by:
Diverse Designs: Novelty military flags come in a wide variety of designs, often incorporating personal or unit-specific elements, such as custom insignia, slogans, or other symbols.
Personal Expression: These flags are created to allow individuals to express their pride, support, or affiliation with the military. They can be customized to include the names of specific units, military branches, or personal messages.
Inclusivity: They are often used by military families, veterans, and supporters of the armed forces. They promote recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel.
Non-Official: Unlike official military department flags, novelty military pride flags are not authorized by the government or military branches. They are not used in formal ceremonies and are not subject to the same strict regulations.
These flags contain logos, more or less. The Navy flag might look like the authorized version, but it’s dimensions are off. This USAF flag contains the AF Emblem.
None of these flags are authorized to be carried by military personnel.
Conclusion
Official military department flags and novelty military pride flags serve distinct purposes and have different roles within the realm of military symbolism. The official flags represent the traditions and history of the armed forces, carrying a solemn and regulated significance. In contrast, novelty military pride flags provide a personal means of expression, enabling individuals to celebrate their connection to the military in a more customized and inclusive manner.
It is important to recognize the differences between these two types of flags to avoid any misunderstanding or misuse of official military symbols. While both types of flags have their place, it is essential to respect the traditions associated with official military department flags and to use novelty military pride flags as a means of personal expression and support for the military community.
This article was written by DeVaughn Simper, Vexillologist. Find him on social media: @professorflagg.
Mrs. DrillMaster and I were stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base from 2009-2011. Her last base before retiring while I was already retired for three years. I joined the Base Honor Guard as an AP3 member and became the trainer for a while. During my tenure there, we fielded one of many color guards, this one for a change of command ceremony in a hangar on the flightline.
The Story
The team formed up as we usually did at the side of the bleachers in Line Formation about ten minutes prior to the start. They went to Stand At Ease and waited. The announcer stated the usual, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors and the singing of the national anthem by Miss (whoever she was).” The team came to Attention, Right Shoulder, and just as they stepped of, the woman began singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Our colors team stopped in it’s tracks and went to Present while still in Line Formation. They went back to Right Shoulder and just as they began marching forward to formally present the colors, the announcer went on with the program. The commander of the team told the lead guard to circle back around.
The team went down to Angle Port, went through a doorway to their prep area, put the equipment up, changed back into the travel uniform, went to transportation, loaded up, and headed back to the Shack having never actually being given the opportunity to do their job in front of the audience. They did do their job, just not as expected.
The Protocol Office received a request for a discussion. No one was at fault, per se, it was just nerves and lack of communication all round.
Don’t let this happen to you and your team. Show up early and rehearse (my team did, but this still happened) and make sure all key players are there for the rehearsal.
Maybe one day…
I’ll tell you about the other colors presentation that didn’t happen on the command of “Post the Colors!” that was repeated a second time when an NCO forgot to get the color guard equipment at the Shack and meet the rest of the team at the hangar on the flightline for the Wing change of command. Yes, the Wing (Battalion equivalent).
Or maybe the one about how the organizational flag slid down the staff while the team was at Right Shoulder and advancing to present the colors. I was horrified as I watched from the behind the audience. The next day, I went to the Shack with my drill and several small screws and secured all the flags, top and bottom with both new Velcro tabs and the screws. It never happened again. You can read how I did that here.
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.
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.
Only Army can mount 3’x4′ colors on the 9’6″ staff.
AF/SF can use one-piece staffs (not recommended since they warp easily).
AF/SF can use 3×4 colors mounted on a 7′ staff but this combination is ONLY for posting colors indoors. No other time is this authorized.
Flagstaffs other than light ash wood guidon staffs are not authorized in the military and that goes for JROTC as well.
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.
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).
The Ball (Captain & equivalent). Must be gold in color.
The Halberd (For flag officers whose official gun salute is less than 19 guns, and for civil officials whose gun salute is 11 or more but less than 19 guns.). Must be gold in color.
The Spread Eagle (For civilian officials and flag officers whose official gun salute is 19 or more guns.). Must be gold in color.
Civilian/Civil Color Guards
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.
Use the military sizes for flagstaffs, 8′ and 9’6″, and then mount 3’x5′ colors on the 8′ staff and 4’x6′ on the 9’6″ staff.
Those colors dimensions are common and on hand. Military sizes must be specially ordered and can be a bit more expensive because of that.
Fringe
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.
Civilian/Civil Color Guards can have fringe on all or none. Your choice.
Color Bearer Harness
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.
Stands
(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,
Cases
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.
You want to get ideas to improve your foot work and/or movement in general? Watch Michael Jackson videos. Really. His ability to create movement of his hands, arms, shoulders, head, torso, legs and feet are unparalleled. Get familiar with martial arts movements, different types of dance, other Drillers and exercise and stretch daily.
What the judge SHOULD be looking for:
The “What” of the performance
The range of material most compatible with the Drillers’ training, the vocabulary.
Creativity
Professionalism)
Horizontal and Vertical Uniformity of Technique
Exposure to error: Difficulty and Risk
Accuracy
Range and variety of moves
Phrasing (the length of
Horizontal (over time) and vertical (move-to-move) flow
The “How” of the performance
Evidence of training that supports the vocabulary.
Control
Achievement of dynamic variations and effort qualities
Timing and Pacing
Precision
Alignment
Spacing
Consistency
Recovery
With the above and your imagination, your choreographed and programed movement will excel!
Training and practice are two different things. If one is trained incorrectly, all of the practice in the world will not correct that.
Sí, pero él sólo baila…
Versión en Español
¿Quieres obtener ideas para mejorar tu trabajo de pies y/o movimiento en general? Mira vídeos de Michael Jackson. En realidad. Su capacidad para crear movimientos en sus manos, brazos, hombros, cabeza, torso, piernas y pies es incomparable. Familiarízate con los movimientos de las artes marciales, diferentes tipos de baile, otros Drillers y haz ejercicio y estiramientos diariamente.
Lo que el juez DEBE estar buscando:
El “qué” de la actuación
La gama de material más compatible con la formación de los Drillers, el vocabulario.
Creatividad
Profesionalismo)
Uniformidad horizontal y vertical de la técnica.
Exposición al error: dificultad y riesgo
Exactitud
Rango y variedad de movimientos.
Fraseo (la duración de
Flujo horizontal (a lo largo del tiempo) y vertical (de movimiento a movimiento)
El “Cómo” de la actuación
Control
Logro de variaciones dinámicas y cualidades de esfuerzo.
Sincronización y ritmo
Precisión
Alineación
Espaciado
Consistencia
Recuperación
¡Con lo anterior y tu imaginación, tu movimiento coreografiado y programado sobresaldrá!
El entrenamiento y la práctica son dos cosas diferentes. Si uno está entrenado incorrectamente, ni toda la práctica del mundo podrá corregirlo.
I received a message a short time ago regarding cadets taking part in the funeral of a civilian adult who was a member of Civil Air Patrol. This applies not only to CAP but also NSCC, and CGA (CGA has some interaction with the Sea Scout program).
Military Funeral Honors (MFH) consists of two or more Active Duty, Reserve, and/or National Guard members of the US military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and/or Coast Guard) performing any or all of the following ceremonial elements at a memorial or funeral for a veteran of the US military: pallbearers; flag fold and presentation; colors guard; firing party volleys; and sounding Taps.
The only time the Military can participate formally in a civilian funeral service, is if the decedent was an elected official. There is some ambiguity as to whether local government leaders such as Mayors, City or County/Parish Councilmembers, or County Commissioners should be included, but Governors, members of the State Legislature, State Supreme Court members, members of US House and Senate, Supreme Court Justices, and current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents are authorized MFH. Also included in this list is Ambassadors, and the Secretary of State. But it is unclear as to whether other members of the Cabinet are entitled to this honor. It is assumed that the secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Navy and Air Force are authorized if death occurs in office, but again there is no clear direction.
Funeral Honors
This is the same as MFH, right? No. The same ceremonial elements might be presented, but no one from the military is involved. this means pallbearers; flag fold and presentation; Color guard; firing party volleys; and the sounding Taps is not forbidden, they are performed by first responders or others.
The Casket and the Flag
Every American is authorized to have a flag drape their casket. Who carries the casket and who folds the flag are the questions that need answers. Here are the answers:
Members of the US military can informally carry the casket of any American.
An example of this would be a Soldier who wears his uniform in honor of and carries the casket for a family member who was a veteran or not a veteran.
Members of the US military cannot formally carry the casket of any American civilian. This is tantamount to MFH.
An example of this would be an American who never served- a civilian.
Another example is an American who never served in the US military but volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, or Naval Sea Cadet Corps- still a civilian.
Members of the US military only fold the American flag and only for veterans.
ROTC cadets and midshipmen, once under contract, are authorized MFH.
US Military, US Naval, and US Air Force Academy cadets and midshipmen are authorized MFH.
JROTC, Sea Cadets, CAP cadets
Avoidance of US government endorsement is the guiding principle.
What is Authorized?
Colors
Cadets of each organization can form a color guard for the deceased. CAP, NSCC, and CGA cadets can form color guards for any occasion. Adults in these programs should not, although CAP authorizes an adult member to step in as a last result.
The color guard can present (and post) the colors for a memorial inside a chapel. The team can then retrieve the colors and stand at graveside for that ceremony. If the flag will be presented to the family inside the chapel, don’t retire the colors as that is a final act, the flag presentation needs to be highlighted and last.
Casket Carry
There is no problem with cadets carrying a casket and folding the American flag.
Every American can have a small-star interment flag drape their casket.
Cremated remains? That means you pre-fold the flag and carry it and the urn (to the left of or behind the flag) to the graveside. You don’t have to unfold and refold the flag to present it, but you can. The flag must be folded before the service. The option is unfolding and refolding.
Firing Party
The first part of honors.
Most likely the cadets could borrow rifles for firing the three volleys from a veteran’s group.
Sounding Taps
The second part of honors.
When Taps is sounded, everyone stands at Attention. It is never sounded with anything else going on, everything stops. A cadet can use an electronic bugle or play his/her own horn.
Flag Fold and Presentation
This is the final part of honors.
There is nothing wrong with CAP cadet folding the flag and presenting it to the family.
Did you know that there are, essentially, three codes for flag protocol that we follow? Let’s take a look.
The Beginning
In 1777, Congress described the flag of the United States and declared that it shall be 13 stripes alternating red and white, with 13 stars on a field of blue. With the passage of this law the flag was established. However, it was controlled largely by the War Department (later the Department of Defense, DoD), since flags were used primarily by the military.
The Military “Code”
Each branch developed their own regulations and protocols that addressed their unique needs.
Members of the United States Uniformed Services are required to follow the regulations for their respective branch and guidance at the DoD level. The regulations are not a buffet from which you can pick and choose which standards you follow. Each branch must stay within their published regulations with very few exceptions. One exception is Joint Military and Joint Armed Forces color guard formations.
Read about these standards in
Army Training Circular 3-21.5
Army Regulation 840-10
Army Regulation 600-60
Marine Corps Order, 5060.20
Marine Corps Order 4400.201 Vol 13
OPNAVINST 10520.1B
OPNAVINST 1710.7a (contains info from US Navy Regulations Chap 12)
NTP 13(B)
Air Force Pamphlet 34-2203
Air Force Manual 34-1201
Air Force Pamphlet 34-1202
You can download all of them for free under Military Manuals on the Resources page.
The Civilian Code
When it came to flag use by civilians, there weren’t any clear instructions on how the flag should be displayed or carried. Civilians are NOT required to follow military regulations. An example of this would be folding the flag. Only the military requires the flag to be folded into a triangle. All civilians and even civil personnel (law enforcement, firefighters, etc.) can fold the flag into a rectangle or even roll it up.
What prompted the establishment of flag-related guidelines was the growing popularity of the flag following WWI and its increasing use in various contexts, such as public buildings, schools, and parades. As the flag’s use by civilians became more widespread, there was a need to ensure that it was treated with the proper respect and dignity.
Group portrait of female American Red Cross workers with uniformed boy scouts (possibly) with a Red Cross flag holding money, during a Red Cross parade, Birmingham, Alabama, May, 1918. US War Department photo.
One of the common problems back then was carrying a flag flat in a parade to collect donations for a cause. Money would be tossed into the flag for the organization. The Red Cross did this regularly. In the photo here you can see this. While this is a Red Cross flag, and nothing wrong with that, there is a similar photo of volunteers holding the American flag for the same purpose.
The flag is never carried flat. The Pentagon recently added that to flag guidance for the military.
Similarly, the flag is not to be drawn up or festooned. as is unfortunately shown here by Utah’s Lt Governor in 2023.
In response, the National Flag Conference, held in Washington, D.C., in 1923, played a crucial role in developing a comprehensive set of guidelines for the flag’s use. Participants used the 1917 Army and Navy regulations, along with ideas/traditions from other countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other European nations. The recommendations of this conference formed the basis for the eventual United States Flag Code.
The U.S. Flag Code was officially codified in Title 4 of the United States Code, public law, in 1942. Although it needs expansion, it provides clear instructions on how the flag should be displayed, handled, and honored. The code was intended to instill a sense of reverence for the flag and to establish a common standard for its use across the nation.
The International Code
The United Nations (UN) has agreed upon standards for international flag display. And so does the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). And the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Some countries require fringe on their flag, others forbid it. All flags in countries that read left-to-right, are draped that way, but not all countries that read right-to-left display their flag that way (most do).
UN
UN members first alphabetically in English, then non UN members.
NATO
NATO is alphabetically in French.
IOC
Alphabetical order, as they appear in the host country language.
Read, Check, Understand, and Apply
When planning events it is important to know which set of rules the event falls under. If you are uncertain, contact your state protocol expert or a vexillologist.
Written with DeVaughn Simper, Resident Vexillologist at Colonial Flag
I wrote the article, All About “Color Guard” and “Color Team” (please read it, it will help you understand this article) because of the use of the term “color team” in ceremonial drill and also because some in the military community act arrogantly toward marching band color guards. I never dreamed I would receive such a horrible, insulting comment from a marching band color guard girl in defense of what she thinks she understands.
The comment
While it’s in the photo above, a screen shot of the email I received when the comment was posted to the article, I’ll paste it here also.
I am a Highschool girl and I am in Color Guard. I spin “random colored flags”, riffles and sabers. I also dance and perform while I spin. I am not protecting anything nor do I feel associated with the military. I am In Color Guard just not the ones you old DrillMasters know and remember. No matter how much you guys hate us we will never stop and demote the name of what we love to color team, since that is not what we are. We are the modern day Color Guard and we love what I do.
“Cecilia”
The Reply
I’m very disappointed in you, Cecilia ( it doesn’t matter if that is not your name). You did not grasp what I wrote and that makes me wonder if I did not write well enough for you (and others) to understand. I’m going to reread the article and see if I can make it better.
What might even be worse is that you did not bother to read my About page, or even glance at it. With just a tiny bit of effort, you would have seen that I have taught winter (indoor) guards and that I received certification as a General Effect Visual Judge from Color Guard Netherlands under the direction of Winter Guard International (WGI). I have been a visual judge for marching bands and drum corps for years. Instead, you decided that you would insult me and accuse me of hating marching band color guards.
You are defending nothing because all I did was explain that marching band color guards (MBCG, I use that longer term to help those in the military differentiate the two entities) began as military color guards, what we still have today. The great thing is that the MBCG began to expand and develop – something that a military color guard could never do.
You spin flag, rifle, and sabre (since that piece of equipment is associated with dance, the French spelling is used, not “saber”). Do you know where these weapons come from? Do you know that the flagstaff is actually also a weapon? I tried explaining the history that Drum Corps International and WGI have put out and associated it with what I do and have done for many, many years.
It is a privilege to carry on the name of “color guard member” for a marching band or drum and bugle corps. Lashing out as you did brings discredit and shame on the activity.
You should be ashamed of yourself for such a disrespectful and arrogant comment. I hope you come to your senses.
I Checked
I just read through the article that I originally posted back in 2013 and changed a couple of words and added a comma or two, but 99.99% of the words are the same as when I originally wrote it. My guess is that you didn’t bother to read anything. You assumed and reacted. Doing that is not going to serve you well at all in life. From now on, please read and even ask questions to try and understand what someone else is attempting to communicate. The same goes for being face-to-face with someone- listen with the intent to understand and not try to fix or judge.
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart in the movie Casablanca, 1942)
Not that kind of joint…
There are essentially three types of joint arrangements for the uniformed organizations in the US government. While this is not officially official, it helps us all to peel back the layers of the language we use and the services in our government so that we can better understand our job. Let’s take a look.
In the United States, there are many organizations that work together both home and abroad to ensure our country stays safe. The members of these organizations all swear an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same”.
Each service dons a distinctive uniform that is steeped in honor, respect, symbolism, heritage, and tradition. Each service is represented by a distinctive flag that depicts that same honor, respect, symbolism, heritage, and tradition. When they are all on display, they are referred to a Joint Service display. They are organized by department (by their established date, oldest to newest). When subordinate branches of the departments are displayed, they also are in order of the date they (or their predecessor) were established by congress.
While its extremely rare, there are situations when the flags of these Departments and Service Branches are displayed together in a Joint Service Display.
This is the true “Joint Service”. The Joint Uniformed Services, in order:
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Space Force
Coast Guard
Merchant Mariners
Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (est. 1889) (Department of Health, est. 1889)
National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration (est. 1970) (Department of Commerce, est. 1903)
Cadets are no Different
Cadet organizations are in order of the service they represent because of the uniform they wear. It doesn’t matter when the program was established.
There are other cadet programs like Marine Cadets of Iowa, Star of the Sea Cadets, and even the Sea Scouts (est. 1912, became part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, 2019), are not officially backed by the services/US government.
J/ROTC = Junior/Reserve Officer Training Corps (federally funded), NDCC = National Defense Cadet Corps (little/no federal funding)
Army ROTC (roots in universities as early as 1819, est. 1916)
Army JROTC/NDCC (created in 1916, expanded in 1964)
Naval ROTC (est. 1926)
Marine Corps JROTC/NDCC (est. 1964)
Young Marines (est. 1959; chartered, 1965)
Navy JROTC/NDCC (est. 1964)
Naval Sea Cadet Corps (est. 1958; chartered, 1962)
Air Force ROTC
Air Force JROTC/NDCC (est. 1964, first unit 1966)
Civil Air Patrol (conceived in 1930s, est. 1941, made USAF Auxiliary, 1948)
Space Force JROTC/NDCC (first units, 2022)
Space Force Cadet Corps (est. 2020)
Joint, But Necessary?
The above image is from the Public Health Service “Drill and Ceremonies Manual”. There is much wrong here and we need to pick it apart to understand what is going on. The photo is from a few years before the Space Force was created.
Flag order is appropriate. However, what is this for? Does each service represented here have an actual part in the ceremony? I doubt it. These flags should not be displayed together unless each was involved in the ceremony in some capacity. It’s just like when displaying positional (e.g., Secretary of Defense) or personal (e.g., General/Admiral) colors; just because Secretary or Admiral so-and-so is in the audience doesn’t mean his flag is in the display.
A Tricare flag? Tricare is a federal program that provides health insurance to active duty military, retirees, their families, and some in the Reserves. That isn’t an official department or service flag, it’s the flag of an internal program specific to the military and should not be in the display. It’s tantamount to a novelty flag (like a sports team).
Written with DeVaughn Simper, Resident Vexillologist at Colonial Flag.
I always look forward to all kinds of organizations forming color guards and seeing the results of educated, trained, and well rehearsed teams. Except…
Color Guard Information Comes From:
TheFlag Code. There is basic information for carrying the American flag that fits well for many organizations/activities: scouts, marching band color guards, children’s groups, etc. It was made for civilians, however and based on Army and Navy flag guidance from around the WWI era.
Many other organizations that wear a uniform need more and you get it from:
Army Training Circular 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies, applies to the Army, AROTC, AJROTC, State Guards, Militias, and any civil/civilian organization that chooses to follow the standards (first responders, scouting, etc.).
It states, “The Color guard consists of two (three) sergeants and two specialists or privates. It is an honor to be selected as a member of the Color guard. The senior (Color) sergeant carries the national Color and commands the Color guard. The senior (Color) sergeant gives the necessary commands for the movements and for rendering honors. Chapter 15, para 15-13.
Note– This does NOT apply to cadets. It applies to Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve members.
Marine Corps Order 5060.20, Drill and Ceremonies, applies to the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, NROTC, MCJROTC, NJROTC, Naval Sea Cadets, Young Marines, Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGA), Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program (CGAUP, ROTC-like), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Public Health Service (PHS), Merchant Marine Academy (Merchant Mariners, MM), and any civil/civilian organization that chooses to follow the standards.
It states, “The standard Marine Corps color guard consists of four individuals of approximately equal height. Two noncommissioned officers are the color bearers and two other members, junior to the color bearers, are the color guards. The senior color bearer carries the national colors and commands the color guard. The junior color bearer carries the organizational colors, which is always on the left of the national colors.” Encl 1 Pt I, Chap 7, Para 5.
Note– This does NOT apply to cadets. It applies to Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve members.
Air Force Pamphlet 34-1203, Drill and Ceremonies, applies to the Air Force, Space Force, AFROTC, AFJROTC, SFJROTC, Civil Air Patrol, AF Explorers, and Space Force Cadet Corps.
It states, “When practical, the color guard consists of two NCOs (the flagbearers) and two experienced Airmen or Guardians (the guards).” Chap 7, Sec 7E, para 7.32.
Note– This does NOT apply to cadets. It applies to Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve members.
Some need more guidance and that comes in the form of ceremonial drill, which is found in my book, The Honor Guard Manual.
Do you notice a trend? Colors is an enlisted-only element. NCOs run colors guards. This does not apply to cadet programs. CAP tried to enforce cadet officers not staffing a color guard and it was a miserable failure. It doesn’t work for cadets and should not be a standard at that level. For adults, it’s a different story.
First Responders
This concept does not apply to you. Police and Fire officers take part in all aspects of honor guards in all positions, including the department’s color guard and there’s no problem with that.
Officers Need Not Apply Here
The adult volunteers (program officers, they are not commissioned) in Civil Air Patrol, Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the commissioned officers of NOAA and PHS should not form color guards.
CAP. Has only cadet-manned color guards. Adults are allowed by the program to fill in a color guard as a last resort- must be in the same uniform.
Sea Cadets. Has only cadet-manned color guards.
Coast Guard Auxiliary. Forms color guards manned by adult volunteers. Needs to stop this practice and use literally anyone else, including the Sea Scouts program that they now oversee.
NOAA. Forms color guards manned by adult volunteers. Needs to stop this practice and use literally anyone else.
Public Health. Forms color guards manned by adult volunteers. Needs to stop this practice and use literally anyone else.
Merchant Mariners. The Academy follows the standards laid out in the MCO and Mariners mind their own business and do their jobs without trying to be #ceremonialer. Thank you all very much.
Why?
There’s a very good reason above, colors is NCO-driven and most of these organizations in this article do not have NCOs, and that should be enough. You are all officers (commissioned or not) and colors is not an officer element. That should be enough, but it isn’t, apparently. The last reason, which is going to cause some discomfort with some: none of the color guards from these organizations has ever been correct that I have seen since I began this journey in 2013 and researching as far back as possible. You seem to have no concept as to proper equipment, techniques, or procedures. You buy whatever flag set conveniently pops up in your browser and never pay attention to governing directives. Some attempt is made but not often.
NOAA-color-guard in the wrong
In the NOAA photo above: ❌Mirror Present is not authorized (and why do you have weapons?); ❌Wrong staffs; ❌Most likely wrong finials; ❌No colors harnesses for the bearers (the harness is part of the bearer uniform whether used or not); ❌Guard inboard hands are too high; 5. Colors not carried at the same height; 6. Fringe on the national; ❌Flag at far right is Rear Admiral Upper Half personal color (PC). A PC is NEVER carried in a color guard; ❌Middle flag is NOAA and flag next to national is Department of Commerce- Why are you carrying the DoC flag and NOAA? While NOAA is part of the DoC, the department’s flag is unnecessary.
Coast Guard Aux color guard in the wrong
In this CGA photo at right: ❌Wrong staffs; ❌Most likely wrong finials; ❌Left hands on sockets; ❌Sling mounted wrong; ❌Rifle held too high; ❌Right hand in wrong position on rifle; ❌Second chinstrap missing; ❌Second chinstraps not worn down; ❌National staff not vertical; ❌National carried lower than org; ❌Fringe on the national; ❌Both staffs not vertical.
The CGA “Flags and Ceremonies Guide” says it’s based on MCO 5060.20 but has images and standards from the Army Training Circular and uses ceremonial technique, which is not authorized. Many, many photos show wrong techniques and procedures. Just delete it, please, and rely on cadets.
NOAA, CGA, and PHS
These organizations are the main issue, especially, CGA and PHS. CGA is apparently going to make color guard training official for it’s members. That might seem like a good thing, and I do appreciate the attempt, but you really should just not form a color guard at all. There’s no reason to. Do you want local public interaction? Form a gathering and walk while waving to the crowd in a parade. Have a requirement for colors at a ceremony? Post them in stands before the ceremony or have a cadet program present them.
Public Health
Please get rid of your drill and ceremonies manual. You state it’s based off of MCO 5060.20, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies, but when you begin reading it, you can see it was OBVIOUSLY created by those who saw ceremonial manual movements and positions and thought they would be cool to use. Some of the positions are even wrong.
Why do you have a sword manual, which shows the wrong positions, and your guards for a color guard using them? Guards for colors are only authorized swords in very specific instances for the military. PHS does not rate swords for colors, Public Health isn’t a military service, and doesn’t use weapons, or, like the Department of Education and its millions of rounds of ammunition purchased a few years ago, are you gearing up for something? If you absolutely must form an internal color guard (i.e., for a graduation ceremony), unarmed guards are appropriate. Your D&C guide should be minimal and have information for two color bearers and unarmed guards for internal ceremony colors requirements.
I’m softening a tiny bit on internal-only color guards. I do suggest that, if you have a formal colors presentation requirement, reach out to any of the armed services, local law enforcement, fire department, ROTC, JROTC, CAP, any other cadet or scouting program. You have the potential to work with some great people and open up communication to help out each other in the future.
In this Public Health photo at right: ❌The caption says, “Position of Attention”. No, it’s not! This is the position of Carry. ❌Team is shoulder-to-shoulder. ❌Wrong staffs. ❌Wrong finials. ❌Left hands on sockets or higher. ❌Guards are armed. ❌Swords not authorized for color guards (unless mounted or historic). ❌Heels and toes together. ❌National staff not vertical. ❌Right hands not high enough on staffs. ❌Fringe on the national. ❌National on shorter staff than org.
The photo is just one from the PHS “Drill and Ceremonies Manual” that is unnecessary. The rest of the photos in the manual, except for maybe six total, show wrong procedures and technique.
Angry?
You might be fuming with anger by now and it might just get worse as you read. Your anger and the nasty comments I’ve received from supposed adults speaks volumes. I’m pointing out standards and nothing more.
“Show me the federal law where it says…”
That’s a quote from someone who is angry with my stance. You don’t need federal law because federal law does not set the requirements for a color guard, you need the logic that I just laid out in this article. Getting upset with my logical, backed-up opinion shows you don’t have a leg to stand on. You don’t get to pick and choose your standards- but you have done so and no one seems to care that you’ve completely ignored established standards.
I seem to be the only one bringing up issues like this. It’s possible others have recognized it, maybe, but now that I am shining a light in this area, let’s do something about it.
You’re “Pedantic”
Thank you. I appreciate that. Webster’s Dictionary has this to say about the definition of that word.
“//a pedantic insistence that we follow the rules exactly”
M-W.com
So, we aren’t supposed to follow rules exactly? Please tell me how that works.
The US military has customs and courtesies. Wearing the service’s uniform is an example of a custom. Rendering a hand salute is a courtesy, albeit a required one.
The Six Armed Services
All Warrant and Commissioned Officers of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard receive a hand salute by all US military enlisted and all cadets at various times. Senior officers receive a hand salute by junior Warrant and/or Commissioned Officers. That is clear and backed up in each service drill and ceremonies manual in the description for the Hand Salute.
The Two Services with an Officer Corps
The others in uniform. Did you know that the US government has two other organizations with an officer corps in each? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service (PHS) have a commissioned officer corps. When military personnel and officers if NOAA and PHS meet, salutes are initiated by whoever is junior in rank.
These officers do not carry a weapon, not even in a ceremonial aspect. These two officer corps should not form a color guard. Read more here.
One More
The Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (Merchant Mariners, not “Merchant Marines”) fall under the same category as NOAA and PHS. They are commissioned officers. If you ever encounter a uniformed Merchant Mariner officer, a salute is warranted either way (whoever is senior).
These officers as well do not carry a weapon, not even in a ceremonial aspect.
The Officers Military Enlisted do not Salute
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an all-volunteer all-officer organization. These officers are saluted by others within the program but are not commissioned officers and therefore not saluted by military personnel.
Senior (adult) members of the cadet programs Civil Air Patrol and US Naval Sea Cadet Corps are saluted by others within the program but are not commissioned officers and therefore not saluted by military personnel. Both CAP and USNSCC have very strict uniform wear policies.
Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are also not saluted. Even though they wear rank, it equals a position; these members are not commissioned officers.
There’s nothing wrong with saluting members of these programs. You can render a hand salute, but it’s not mandatory since the officers in each program are volunteers and not commissioned.
SROTC
Senior ROTC (college) cadets and midshipmen are not saluted. They render a salute to all US military commissioned officers: NOAA, PHS, Merchant Mariner, and internal program (senior) officers.
“When in Doubt, Salute”
USAF SSgt Jim Woods, a very good friend of mine many years ago (1990-1993) used to say this in so many conversations we had because it fit so well. Don’t be caught in a bad situation, saluting is not a bad thing, even if you salute someone who does not warrant one. Err on the side of positivity.
A Hand Salute Story
Tim McDonough and I went through USAF Basic Training (1985) at the same time, but different flights. We then went through the same Reprographics Technical School for our AFSC (AF version of the MOS) at Ft. Belvoir and were both sent to our first duty station, RAF Upper Heyford in the UK. One winter evening shortly after we arrived, a Lieutenant (or maybe Captain) walked by us in his blue uniform as we, in the old green fatigue uniform, were heading back to the dorms. We failed to salute because it was dark and we had no idea what uniform he was wearing, or that he was even an officer. Back then, Law Enforcement Airmen wore a big, puffy blue jacket. He asked if we didn’t salute officers, we exchanged salutes and went our way still not knowing who we saluted or what his uniform was. Eventually we saw other Law Enforcement Airmen on base in the same uniform and understood. When in doubt, salute.
Another Hand Salute Story
In 2012, I was invited to judge the Joint Service Drill Competition at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. I wore my DrillMaster Ceremonial Uniform because I was there as The DrillMaster and the event called for a formal uniform. I saluted the Captain I met from the Old Guard who briefed me on what was required and as I walked to gather my things, two Navy Chiefs saluted me as I approached them. I did not return the salute, that would not be appropriate, but I thanked them and gave them a brief explanation since I would be walking around the area. We all smiled and they told me that the reasoning behind the salute was my gold-colored chin strap at the front of my cap. That’s an indicator of an officer. Afterall, they are stationed in DC and NOAA, PHS, Merchant Mariner, and international military officers are out and about at various times. When in doubt, salute.
There’s More
There are other cadet programs across the country where adults have created a rank structure within the program and have uniform wear that is very similar to or exactly like a branch of the US military. There are two independent programs that I have worked with:
Marine Cadets of Iowa (MCI). Adults do not wear a uniform (hence, no rank), but cadets do. Run similar to a Sea Cadets unit. The concentration is solely on the cadets training in a realistic and very positive environment. They work with Marines in the local community.
Extreme Military Challenge (XMC, AL). Adults do wear a uniform (their own from their service in most cases, along with their own rank. Some adults have program-specific rank on the Army uniform.) in a very realistic Army-based military environment. This is a summer program that offers as realistic as possible training opportunities for teens. All adults brought in are extensively vetted.
All cadets in JROTC, CAP, Sea Cadets, Young Marines, MCI, XMC, and all other independent organizations, are required to render a hand salute to all US military, NOAA, PHS, Merchant Mariner, and internal/external program officers. For example, JROTC or CAP/Sea Cadets cadets would salute adults in uniform from Sea Cadets/CAP. It’s about instilling a behavior/expectation. Would this be a regular situation? Probably not. It would be rare for programs to cross over (which is a really good idea for summer training opportunities, hint-hint). Remember, when in doubt, salute.
This also means all cadet program adults (Sea Cadets, CAP) render a hand salute to all US military, NOAA, PHS, Merchant Mariner, and internal/external program (senior) officers. As an example (thank you Mr. Dahlke), a CAP general officer would be required to salute a Second Lieutenant (which, visually, can appear somewhat awkward).
Uniforms
NOAA and PHS officers wear Navy (service dress) and Coast Guard (blue utility) uniforms (there is no need at all for wearing a sword or even forming a color guard). Notice that both programs don’t wear a combat-oriented utility uniform because they are not involved in combat.
I’m not a fan of the great similarities of cadet uniforms with the service’s uniforms and definitely dislike that cadets and adult program members wear combat-oriented utility uniforms. Not exactly the best choice. The blue utility uniform would be perfect for all cadet programs.
CAP and Sea Cadets wear their service dress uniform with a small variation here and there. These variations can be so slight, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. We need better differences.
Thanks to Professor Flag, DeVaughn Simper, for his input.
By the Way…
The image at the top of the page is the original USAF salute. We were never meant to practically throw the right hand over to the left side. We were always supposed to trace the center line with the fingertips. Todays hand salute is an insult to the USAF’s history.
