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CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION

Protocol for the presentation of colors.

By Jennifer Holik

• Proper Display of Flags on Three Flagpoles

The presentation of colors is a ceremony presenting or retiring a flag. The "colors" refer to a flag. A color guard, consisting of two honor guards and two flag bearers, presents or retires the colors. A Sergeant-at-Arms dictates the orders during the ceremony. Proper respect should be given to the colors at all times during the ceremony.

Officer's Roles

The presiding officer or designated appointee of an organization announces that the colors will be presented. Guests rise and the officer asks that the colors to be presented. The Sergeant gives the orders to the honor guard and flag bearers. He calls the group to attention before marching to the front of the room to face the appointed officer. The officer will signal that the colors should be presented, and the Sergeant gives the order.

Presenting the Colors on a Stage

The flag bearers carry the flags in a holster and march forward in step with the other bearers. The bearers stop marching at a designated spot and wait for a "halt" command from the Sergeant. The flag bearers proceed to the center of the stage where the flags will be placed. The honor guard remains behind the flag bearers. The flag bearer takes two steps forward and waits for the next flag bearer to step forward. The bearer faces left while the other bearer faces right. The flag bearers place the flags in stands and take a step backwards. The flags are placed on a stage to the right of a speaker, preferably at the same height as the speaker.

Presenting the Colors on the Floor

When a stage is not available, the flags must be placed in flag holders on the floor. The flags must be placed to the left of the speaker. The honor guard remains at attention while the flag bearers to march in a line toward the flag holders. One bearer then faces right while the other bearer faces left. The flag bearers place the flags in the stands and take a step backwards.

The End of Presentation

When the colors have been presented, the group faces the flags and stands at attention. Honor is given to the flag, whether it is a salute, standing at attention or removal of hats and placing hands over hearts. The Pledge of Allegiance is recited and the color guard retreats upon orders from the Sergeant.

• Cornell: Presentation of Colors (PDF)

Jennifer Holik, a professional genealogist, has been writing professionally since 2009. She writes for Chicago-area genealogy society publications. Holik has a Bachelor of Arts in history from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

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Reciting the Pledge with a Colors Presentation

DrillMaster May 22, 2018 Ask DrillMaster , Color Guard/Color Team , Honor Guard , Honor Guard Training , Instructional 2 Comments

At ceremonies across the country, many local municipalities request a color team from military installations or even first responders. Quite often, music is not available so those gathered recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Color Guards : In all of the research I’ve accomplished, there are guidelines for departmental/organizational colors from each service’s drill and ceremonies, flag, or protocol manuals: departmental/organizational colors only dip for the National Anthem, service secretary, and Chief of Staff, Commandant, Service Secretary, equal or higher-ranked individual/unit commander.

This means Active, Guard, and Reserve military teams do not dip their service color (JROTC too), but the rifles go to Present . The Pledge isn’t a military salute to the flag, per se, but an announcement of one’s faithfulness to the flag and the nation, and since it is about the flag, she deserves Present Arms from the rifle guards because when outdoors and the Pledge is recited, all military render the hand salute.  Please read All About the Color Guard .

First Responders

Does this apply to first responders (who usually carry their state flag as second) and cadets (who carry their program flag as second)? State flags can dip when the crowd recites the Pledge. You are not in the military – but for cadet organizations that represent a military service, do not dip your JROTC, CAP, Sea Cadets, Young Marines, or Sea Scouts organizational flag.

The Flag Code

4 U.S. Code § 4 – Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform. (Added Pub. L. 105–225, § 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1494; amended Pub. L. 107–293, § 2(a), Nov. 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 2060; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title V, § 586, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 777.)

State Flags and Individuals

Individuals : indoors, all military in uniform stand at Attention and face the flag (reciting the Pledge is optional when with a large civilian group*). Outdoors, render the hand salute. When out of uniform, members of the military and veterans stand at Attention or (Army and Air Force vets only) salute the flag. Cadets will always recite the Pledge.

*Reason being is that we in the US military took an Oath of Enlistment or Oath of a Commissioned Officer. This oath never expires. We not only pledge our allegiance, but our lives. When in a large group of civilians, it would probably be better to recite the Pledge rather than explain ten times to different people why you stood in silence at Attention (what happens every once in a while at the Olympics with a military athlete standing at Attention only for the anthem).

For teams that carry a state or other flag, other than a military departmental/organizational, dip that flag.

Here is how to do it:

• The announcer says something like, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation [or posting*] of the colors.”
• Color team enters as usual and stops centered in front of the audience.
• If the team is military, do not dip your service departmental or organizational color for the Pledge, it is only dipped for the National Anthem.
• State and other colors can dip.
• Guards execute Present.
• The announcer or a designated person steps up to the microphone and says something like, “Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge…”
• The commander of the color team gives the command, “Port, ARMS!” and the color team [posts the colors and then] departs.

*Only post the colors for more ceremonial occasions.

That is it. Color team commanders, please do not order the audience to begin, it is not your place.

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Are colors posted at the same time no matter the flag? Or the American flag first? Also, does color guard salute? I thought their main job was to keep their eye on the flag.

It may not seem like it, but that’s a big question. There are so many posting that anyone can get confused.

The Army method in TC 3-21.5, that just about everyone has followed has been to present to the head table, move to the stands, post, salute during the anthem, depart. The Air Force followed that for decades. The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard follow MCO 5060.20 and enter, turn around, anthem, turn around, post, depart.

The ceremonial method has the team enter and face the audience. The anthem is played or sung here and then the colors are posted with or without the guards, and the team departs.

In the case where the bearers have already posted the staffs in the stands, they render the hand salute. In the rest, the bearers are holding the staffs and do not salute individually but the team renders honors. The flags are then posted and a hand salute is not rendered. All flags are posted simultaneously in all situations.

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Ceremony : Presentation of Colors

• The color guard waits in the back of the room for the audience to stand and become quiet.
• The pack flag guards and bearer are on the left, and the U.S. flag guards and bearer are on the right. With the U.S. flag in the lead, they walk in and cross so that the U.S. flag will be on the left side of the room when you look toward the front. The bearers and guards take their positions near the flag stands, facing the audience and holding the flags vertically
• Everyone, with the exception of the flag bearers and guards, salutes.
• The bearers and guards stand at attention and continue to hold the flags. The pack flag is lowered slightly so that the U.S. flag stands taller. The U.S. flag guards and bearer and pack flag guards and bearer do not salute or say the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The pack drops its salute. The pack flag is raised to its vertical position again.
• The pack flag is placed in its stand. Its guards and bearer step back into place. The U.S. flag is then posted. Its guards and bearer salute it and step back into place.
• The U.S. flag guard leads the procession to the back of the room with the narrator following last.

When the U.S. flag is carried with another banner (such as the pack flag), it should always be on “its marching right” in the procession.

If there is only a narrow aisle, the procession follows this order in single file: U.S. flag guard, U.S. flag bearer, pack flag bearer, pack flag guard.

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Explained: Regiment Presentation of Colours

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester (HRH) arrives in Bermuda this evening (Nov 11), and at 11am, Saturday 13th November, she will present the Bermuda Regiment with new Colours during a special ceremony at the National Sports Center. HRH is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Bermuda Regiment—the third such appointee to the Battalion.

The practice of using Colours dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the Colours of a Regiment (the brightly-coloured flags of a battalion) were used as position markers or as rallying points in battle. These would be affixed to a long stake or pike such that they could be visible above the smog and dust of battle.

It become customary to carry these Colours down the ranks at the end of the day to ensure that troops were familiar with their Colour and could readily recognize his own. This is known as the Troop. This was also done in the morning before the soldiers went off to battle. On both occasions, the flags would be paraded in a solemn and reverent manner.

During ancient warfare, the position of the Colours was often the sight of fierce battles where many made the supreme sacrifice in their defence. By extension, the Colours became memorials to the fallen. This combined, with the pride of the soldiers in their unit, bestowed upon the Colours the spirit of the Regiment and the Colours came to be held in high regard.

Even today, the Regimental Colours are regarded with great reverence. They are among the most significant items within the Regiment and are highly venerated.

Over 140 officers and men and women, of the Bermuda Regiment are on parade and more than 100 words of command are given by the officers in command of the parade.

The Bermuda Regiment has only Trooped its Colours a few times in the last 45 years and as with all other Regiments, there are unique nuances to this parade format. The Trooping of the Colours parade which the public will witness on Saturday will differ slightly from the Trooping of the Colour parade which can be viewed at Whitehall in London.

Sequence—Arrival

The Guards will form at Police Field and march onto line at the National Sports Center. The Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) will hand the parade over to the Adjutant who will then march the officers into place. Once the officers have take up their posts in front of their Guards, the Adjutant will then report to the Commanding Officer that the parade is formed up and ready for the Presentation of Colours.

The first dignitary of note to arrive at the NSC will be the Premier of Bermuda and her party. Immediately begins the two-minute drill for the ceremonial guns, which will be placed in the upper, northeast corner of the NSC. Just prior to her arrival at the NSC a 21-Gun Salute will commence for HRH with her arrival at the stadium carefully timed to coincide with the last salute. As she alights the vehicle and takes her position on the saluting dais, the Guards will be offer a Royal Salute and the National Anthem will be played. HRH will then inspect the Guard of Honour.

When the inspection is complete, the parade prepares for the Trooping of the old Colours before the soldiers and the assembled visitor after which they will be retired. This is signaled by the Drummers playing the Drummers Call

General Format for the Troop.

An orderly marches on to take the pace stick from the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) who then draws his sword. This is the only time an RSM will do so in peace time. His doing so is a symbolic gesture of his protecting the Colours.

The Escort for the Colour marches off in quick time to the tune The British Grenadiers. Irrespective of the Regiment which is Trooping its Colours, The British Grenadiers is always played at this point in the parade because the right-flanking company of every battalion used to be a grenadier company.

After the Guard gets to its position, the RSM marches from the rear of the Escort and is followed by the Ensign for the Colours. These Ensigns will carry the Colours through the ranks of the assembled riflemen.

The RSM salutes the Colours, takes a pace forward, and receives the Queen’s Colour in his left hand from the Colour Sergeant of the Colour Party. In turn, the Ensign salutes the Colours, returns his sword to his scabbard, receives the Colour and places it in his Colours belt. This process is repeated for the Regimental Colour.

The Ensigns will form about and face the Escort. The guard presents arms and the Colours receive a general salute; the National Anthem is played.

The RSM and the escorts take up their position to the rear of the Guard and the Guard prepares to Troop the Colours. The Ensigns take their position in front of the Guard and the Guard now becomes the “Escort to the Colours.”

The Escort marches solemnly through the remaining assembled guards in slow time to the Bermuda Regiment Slow March.

Once back in position at its Number One Guard position at the right of line, the Escort to the Colours presents arms. The parade is then ordered to shoulder arms.

The Colours are now considered to have been Trooped.

At the conclusion of the Troop, the old Colours are then retired. Much less complicated in form, the Guards present arms in salute and the Colours are marched across the length of the parade area in slow time to Auld Lang Syne. The escorts fall in as the Colours pass No. 4 Guard and the entire Colour Party marches out of sight.

The Consecration

The guards will next form a three-sided “square,” the fourth side being open to the audience. This is in symbolic defence of the Colours.

Once the guards have formed, the Drummers will pile their drums to form an “alter” for the consecration of the Colours. Following this the officers receiving the new Colours take their positions in the center of the square. The Quartermaster (QM), who is charged with the acquisition and procurement of all battalion assets, marches the new set of Colours into the center in front of the Drum pile. The Drum Major, newly-promoted Sgt. Tariq Hewey, and one of his Drummers uncases the Colours. The Drum Major has the distinct honour of being the first person to handle the new Colours. The QM then lays the Colours for the Consecration.

The Bishop of Bermuda, the Right Rev. Dr. Patrick G. H. White, attended on by Imam Basim Muwwakkil of Masjid Muhammad and the Bishop of Hamilton, the Most Rev. Dr. Robert Kurtz, takes position in front of the Colours, consecrates the Colours and offers a blessing on their service.

After the consecration, a senior and a junior Major on parade assist HRH with positioning and presenting the Colours to the Battalion. They are placed in the Colour Belts of the waiting officers who are kneeling at the front of the parade.

This completed, the Colonel-in-Chief offers a brief address to the Regiment which is followed by the Commanding Officer’s (CO) reply.

On conclusion of the CO’s remarks, the Drummers return to their position within the Band, the Chaplains retire, the Majors return to their position in front of the Guards, Nos 1 and 4 Guards return to their positions in line and the newly presented Colours are then marched back into position in slow time to the National Anthem.

At this point, the Guards march past the saluting dais in line offering an eyes right at the dais. The Band will play the Battalion march Bermuda. As the new Colours pass the saluting dais, they are flourished and lowered as a sign of respect and in salute to HRH who will in turn nod as they pass because the Colours have been consecrated. The Guards then reform their line and finally Advance in Review Order and offers a Royal Salute.

The penultimate sequence of the ceremony is the departure of HRH and her party, when she will receive a Royal Salute and the National Anthem is played; the Premier and her party departs shortly thereafter.

The Troops march off parade led by the Band and Corps of Drums who are playing Chimes of Victory.

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Army conducts historic Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade

The Nigerian Army has conducted a historic Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital presided over by the Reviewing Officer and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, President Mohammadu Buhari.

The 2023 Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade held at the Eagles Square in the heart of the capital city Abuja witnessed the retiring and replacing of 53 unit colours and the issuance of 28 new ones.

The colours are presented to Combat and combat support units or Regiments are newly established and operationalised units whose colours are damaged, old or worn out.

The proceedings of the event began with the arrival of the Reviewing Officer and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari where 305 officers and 121 soldiers had mounted Guards and ready for inspection.

This was followed by the colourful musical display and presentation by the Nigerian Army band to entertain the dignitaries present at the event, followed by the Trooping of the old National and unit Regimental colours for the last time before they were retired by Unit’s Regimental Sergent majors.

The old Regimental colours were collected from the senior non-commission officers, passed through the ranks in a slow match and required all present to stand while the personnel saluted in respect to the service rendered by the retiring flags. This is symbolic of a uniform that has served for a long term, and a unit is disbanded or worn and torn out are retired and handed to the Quarter Master before they marched out of the parade ground (ceremonial retreat) for onward keep in the Nigerian Army Museum.

Interlude salute

Following the retreating of the old flag, the Quarter Master Marched forward to set up new colours that are presented to the units whose colours had worn out or retired as well as the new units added.

The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari received the new flags and handed them over before the Quarter Master takes the new colours to the units for induction where they are marched up in the parade ground as the President mounts the podium for the entry of the colours into the parade ground in slow and quick time.

Salute musical interlude

The Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade is the only parade where regimental Sergeant majors are allowed to draw their swords. Coincidentally, the 82 Battalion which was once commanded by President Muhammadu Buhari was among the units inspected at the parade and colour presentation ceremony by the President.

The occasion of the 2023 Nigerian Army Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade was graced by former heads of state, members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the diplomatic Corps, Senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, the media and members of the public.

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The Household Division

• Ceremonial Events
• Musicians of the Household Division
• The Guards’ Chapel
• The Guards Magazine

Trooping the Colour

Dates: 1st, 8th, 15th June 2024 Time: 10:00am Where: Horse Guards Parade

• Origins of Trooping the Colour

The Sovereign's official birthday is celebrated with the ceremony of the King's Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour. This impressive display of pageantry takes place on a Saturday in June, performed by His Majesty’s personal troops of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade. Over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums march and play in unison. Some 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade, known as the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and back again.

At the start of the ceremony, His Majesty The King is greeted by a Royal Salute on Horse Guards Parade and a 41 Gun Salute fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from The Green Park. His Majesty The King then conducts an inspection of his troops with his expert eye. After the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Colour of the Regiment is carried (or ‘Trooped’) through the ranks of Foot Guards. The Foot Guards then march past His Majesty in slow and quick time before The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry ride past at the walk and the trot. The King rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking a furthersalute at the Palace from Centre Gate and the troops return to barracks. Finally, His Majesty joins other Members of the Royal Family on Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly-past performed by the Royal Air Force.

Each year, the full parade is actually conducted three times on consecutive weekends. The first occasion, known as The Major General’s Review, usually takes place two weeks before the King's Birthday Parade; the second occasion, known as The Colonel’s Review, usually takes place a week before the King's Birthday Parade.

How to watch:

Members of the public wishing to watch any of the parades are advised to stand on The Mall or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade (the view may be partially obscured by troops from these positions) from 9.00am. The best public vantage points are indicated on the map with black dotted lines.

Events begin at approximately 10.20am for each parade, with the fly-past taking place at 1.00pm on the day of the King’s Birthday Parade only.

The King’s Birthday Parade is broadcast live on the BBC in the UK.

Tickets for seating in the grandstand surrounding Horse Guards Parade for the King’s Birthday Parade are allocated by ballot; up to a maximum of 4 tickets can be applied for.Tickets for the Colonel's Review and the Major General's Review are on sale now.

Ticket prices (each) are as follows: £30.00 for the King’s Birthday Parade; £15.00 for the Colonel’s Review and £10.00 for the Major General’s Review.

•  Please go to  www.kbp.army.mod.uk  to purchase your tickets for the Major General's Review and the Colonel's Review or to enter the ballot for tickets to the King’s Birthday Parade.

  Arriving by car/taxi:

  There are NO parking or dropping off facilities available in Whitehall or the surrounding areas of Horse Guards for any of the three events. Vehicles will not be allowed within these areas so spectators must be dropped off and make their way on foot to Horse Guards Parade.

  Dress Code:

  The King’s Birthday Parade:

This is a formal State Ceremonial Parade in the presence of His Majesty The King. Those attending are required to dress accordingly.

Morning dress or lounge suit for gentlemen, equivalent for ladies (strictly no denim, shorts or sandals).

Serving Military personnel may wear Ceremonial Day uniform (with medals, without swords or sidearms) or equivalent.

Hats are optional but are recommended for paying compliments to His Majesty and the Colours as they pass, as well as giving the necessary protection from the sun. Umbrellas/parasols are not permitted to avoid obstructing others’ views.

The Colonel’s Review:

  This is a formal State Ceremonial Parade. Those attending are required to dress accordingly.

Lounge suit or jacket, tie and trousers for gentlemen; equivalent for ladies (strictly no denim, shorts or sandals).

Hats are optional but are recommended for paying compliments, as well as giving the necessary protection from the sun. Umbrellas/parasols are not permitted to avoid obstructing others’ views.

The Major General’s Review:

This is a formal military parade and those attending are encouraged to dress smartly.

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE DRESS CODE WILLRESULT IN REFUSAL OF ENTRY.

Police will conduct searches of personal belongings of anyone entering Horse Guards Parade for all three events. As a condition of entry, any items such as knives (including penknives) and similar articles are prohibited and may be confiscated.

Venue: Horse Guards Parade

Date: 1st, 8th, 15th June 2024

+44 (0)20 7976 0850

[email protected]

Household Division, Whitehall, London, United Kingdom

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Flag Ceremonies Posting and Retiring the Colors

by brian | Oct 16, 2018 | Our Flag , Troop Documents and FAQ's | 2 comments

How Can We Help?

Our Color guard is an important part of our troop life— below are our Flag Ceremonies for posting and retiring the colors at a troop meeting or other gathering.

Honoring our flag is an essential ceremony at Trail Life USA gatherings: it shows respect for our great nation and for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to preserve our liberty.

Trail Life USA and American Heritage Girls (AHG) have collaborated to standardize independent or combined Trail Life USA and AHG troop flag ceremonies.

“Flags are almost as old as civilization itself. Imperial Egypt as well as the armies of Babylon, Chaldea, and Assyria followed the colors of their kings. The Old Testament frequently mentions banners and standards. Many flags of different designs were present in parts of the American colonies before the Revolution. When the struggle for independence united the colonies, the colonists wanted a single flag to represent the new nation. The first flag borne by the Army as a representative of the 13 colonies was the Grand Union flag. It was raised over the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 2 January 1776. That flag had the familiar 13 stripes (red and white) of the present flag, but the blue square contained the Crosses of St. George and St. Andrew from the British flag.

The Stars and Stripes was born on 14 June 1777. On that date, Congress resolved that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, and that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”[1]

The Color and Colors

“The National and organizational flags carried by Color-bearing units are called the National Color and the organizational Color. When used singularly, the term Color implies the National Color. The plural term Colors means the national and positional or organizational Colors.”[2]

Standard Elements of Flag Ceremonies

A flag ceremony may be done in any manner, as long as it is done in good taste and follows proper Colors etiquette. It may include as many Trailmen as needed.

• You see it raised or lowered
• You pass it or it passes you
• When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
• During the National Anthem

FLAG BEARER: The person who carries the Colors, one flag per person. Carry the Colors on the right side in right hand, keeping the staff vertical and the flag aloft and flying free. Never dip the National Color for anything or anyone.

COLOR GUARD: They guard the honor of the Colors and watch to see that the Colors do not touch the ground. They stand behind the flag bearer. One per flag is traditional.

CALLER:  The caller is the designated Trailman who “calls out” the parts of the ceremony. The caller stands in front of the audience and troop.   (For combined Trail Life USA and AHG ceremonies, either an American Heritage Girl or Trailman may serve as the primary caller with the assistant being from the other organization.  They may stand together and call out their respective Oaths and Creed.)

TROOP MEETINGS

Posting the colors.

Primary Caller:

“Color Guard, ATTENTION.” (Flag bearers stand abreast with the U.S. flag bearer on the right.  The color guards form abreast and behind the flag bearers.  In a combined Trail Life USA and AHG ceremony, the AHG flag bearer stands between the U.S. flag and Trail Life USA flag bearers. )

“Troop(s), ATTENTION.”

“Troop(s), SALUTE.”

“Audience, please rise. Those not in uniform, please place your right hand over your heart.  Please remove your hats.”

“Color Guard, Forward, MARCH.” (Wait until the Colors guard reaches the front position before giving the next command.)

“Color Guard, HALT.”

“Color Guard, ADVANCE THE COLORS. ”(The U.S. flag bearer crosses from the right side of the aisle to the leftmost flag stand, and faces the audience.  Immediately after the U.S. flag passes the Troop flag bearer(s), the Troop flag(s) crosses from the left side of the aisle to the rightmost flag stand(s), and faces the audience.  The Color guards follow the flag they are guarding and come to attention at the outside of the flag bearers, and facing the audience.)

“Prepare to post the Colors!” (The flag bearers hover the flagpoles over the hole in the flag stands and waits for the command to post the colors.)

“POST THE COLORS.” (Both (or all) flags should be placed in the stands at the same time.  There should be one thump.  Immediately, the flag bearers grasp the flags with both hands and pulls flag out to both sides of the pole to display the flag for a silent count of about three seconds and then the flag bearers come back to the position of attention.)

“Color Guard, SALUTE.” (Color Guard holds salute until the Pledge is done.)

“Please recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”

“Ready, TWO.” (All salutes are dropped.)

“Trail Life USA SIGN.”

“Please join us in reciting the Trail Life USA Oath.”

“Ready, TWO.” (Trail Life USA sign is dropped.)

“Color Guard, REFORM.” (The Colors bearers step out and the Color guards follow them as they march back to the front position.)

“Color Guard, Forward, MARCH.”

“Please join in prayer….”

“Color Guard, DISMISSED. Troop(s), AT EASE.”

“Audience, please be seated.”

Retiring the Colors

“Color Guard, ATTENTION. Troop(s), ATTENTION.”

“Audience, please rise for the retiring of the Colors.”

“Color Guard, ADVANCE.” (U.S. Flag bearer crosses from the right side of the aisle to the leftmost flag stand, and faces the audience. Immediately after the U.S. flag bearer passes the Troop flag bearer(s), the Troop flag bearer(s) crosses from the left side of the aisle to the rightmost flag stand(s), and faces the audience. The U.S. flag Color guard crosses from the right side of the aisle to the outside of the U.S. flag bearer, and the Troop flag Color guard crosses from the left side of the aisle to the outside of the Troop flag bearer. Both Color guards face the audience.)

“Color Guard, SALUTE.” (The Color Guard renders honors to the Colors.)

“Color Guard, Ready, TWO.”

“Color Guard, Prepare to Retire the Colors.” (Flag bearers take hold of their flags with their hand in correct position for carrying the flags, and waits for the next command.)

“RETIRE THE COLORS.” (Both (or all) flags should be pulled out of the flag stands and brought up immediately, in a smooth motion, to the carry position.)

“Those not in uniform, please place your right hand over your heart. Please remove your hats.”

“Color Guard, REFORM.” (Flag bearers should always turn to their left when turning around in order for the U.S. Flag to always be on its own right. Wait for Color guard to return to formation at the front position.)

“Color Guard, Forward, MARCH.” (Flag bearers step out and the Color guards follows behind as they march to the rear of the audience.)

“Troop(s), TWO.” (All salutes are dropped.)

“Please bow your heads and join in prayer….”

“Color Guard, DISMISSED.” (No Commands are given, but the flags should immediately be secured and placed back in storage, whether they are rolled on the poles or removed from the poles and folded.)

“Audience, thank you for joining us.”

[1]U.S. Army FM 3-21.5 Drill and Ceremonies w-Change 1, 15-1

See the U.S. Army field manual FM 3-21.5 Drill and Ceremonies w-Change 1 at www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/FM_3-21.5_Drill_and_Ceremonies.pdf .

Where can I see a video demonstration of this ceremony?

Hey John, We don’t have any video of a Flag ceremony, but I will pass this on to our Color Guard commander and First Officer for their consideration. – TLSV

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