Color Guard Flag Protocol

DrillMaster Ask DrillMaster, Color Guard, Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional, Protocol and Flag 52 Comments

The National Ensign/American Flag For the National Ensign/Color/American Flag, military and other color guards will always hold its staff vertical (Marine Corps, Navy, & Coast Guard and US Certified Ceremonial Guardsmen) or slightly incline it forward (Army only), depending on the service drill and ceremonies manual for regulation or ceremonial drill. The minimum color guard compliment requirement is the American …

To Fringe or Not to Fringe, That is the Question

DrillMaster Ask DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional 5 Comments

According to the US Army, fringe is an honorable enrichment only, not an integral part of the flag. As it is attached on the edge, it does not “deface” the flag which therefore remains the Stars and Stripes of the US. Originally, fringe was used to create a static charge that actually helped keep the flag clean. See also: All …