Appendix F
Manual of the Guidon
The guidon is a company, battery, or troop identification flag. It is present at
all unit formations unless otherwise directed by the commander.
When armed with a rifle, the guidon bearer slings the weapon behind their back
with the sling diagonally across their chest and the muzzle end up and to the right.
Basic Guidon Positions
F-1. When the unit is formed, the guidon bearer is one step in front of and two 15-inch left steps to the right of and facing the person forming the unit (the person forming the unit is facing the unit). If the first sergeant forms the unit, the guidon bearer steps forward three steps on the command POST.
F-2. To face with the guidon, raise the ferrule 1 inch off the marching surface by bending the right elbow slightly. After executing the movement, automatically lower the ferrule to the Order position. Keep the staff vertical throughout the movement.
F-3. Execute facing movements, marching movements, Present Arms (Present Guidon), and Rest movements with the unit. During manual of arms movements, remain at Order Guidon except for Present Arms (see figure F-1 on page F-2).
F-4. When in a line formation and the company is faced to the right for a marching movement, face to the right in marching, assume the Double-Time position (see figure F-7 on page F-8) and double-time from that position to a position five steps forward of and centered on the squad leaders of the first platoon. If the company commander joins the formation at the head of the column (six steps in front of and centered on the squad leaders), execute two left steps.
F-5. If a platoon is authorized a guidon or phase banner (in training units for example), the bearer’s post is one step in front of and two 15-inch steps to the right of and facing the person forming the platoon. When the formation is faced to the right for a marching movement, the bearer executes in the same manner as explained above, except that their post is three steps in front of and centered on the squad leaders. If the platoon leader is present and at their post, the bearer’s post is one step to the rear and two 15-inch steps to the left of the platoon leader
F-6. When the guidon bearer is marching at their post in a column formation during a Column Left (Right), they execute a Column Half Left (Right) on the command of execution and incline as necessary to maintain their post. The guidon bearer inclines as necessary to maintain their post.
Note. Execute raised guidon only on the preparatory commands for Present, ARMS; Eyes, RIGHT; and on the preparatory command Order of Order, ARMS following the execution of Present Arms and Eyes Right. Also execute Raised Guidon on the preparatory command Ready of Ready, FRONT
Figure F-1. Order Guidon
F-8. To assume Rest positions, execute the following actions
On the preparatory command Parade, slide the right hand up the staff until the forearm is horizontal and grasp the staff (see figure F-2, item 1). On the command of execution REST, thrust the staff straight forward keeping the ferrule on the marching surface until the arm is fully extended, and at the same time, execute Parade Rest as in individual drill (see figure F-2, item 2).
Stand At Ease is the same as Parade Rest, except that the eyes and head are turned toward the commander.
Execute At Ease and Rest with the guidon from the Order Guidon position.
Figure F-2. Parade Rest
F-9. To assume the position of Carry Guidon, execute the following actions:
On the preparatory command for marching movements, execute Carry Guidon from Order Guidon by reaching across the body with the left hand (forearm horizontal) and grasping the staff (see figure F-3 on page F-4). Raise the staff vertically 6 inches allowing the staff to slide through the right hand. While the staff is sliding through the right hand, release the grasp and regrasp the staff with right thumb to the front, pointed downward and on line with the seam of the trousers. On the command of execution MARCH, return the left hand smartly to the left side and simultaneously step off (see figure F-3, on page F-4).
To resume Order Guidon from Carry Guidon, reach across the body with the left hand (forearm horizontal) and grasp the staff. Let the staff slide through the hands until the ferrule touches the marching surface. Re-grasp the staff in the same manner as in Order Guidon and then return the left hand sharply to the side as in the position of attention.
When double-timing, carry the guidon diagonally across the body in the same manner as Port Arms.
Figure F-3. Carry Position
RAISED GUIDON F-10. On the preparatory command Present of Present, ARMS and Eyes of Eyes, RIGHT, raise the guidon vertically, by grasping the staff with the right hand. Raise the guidon with the right hand while simultaneously moving the left hand (with palm to the rear) across the body to guide the guidon (see figure F-4, item 1). Keep raising the guidon until the right hand is on line with the right shoulder. Keep the right elbow into the side. Hold the guidon in this position until the command of execution is given (see figure F-4, item 2).
Note. When executing Raised Guidon from Carry Guidon, the bearer changes their grip to the Order Guidon position when they grasp the staff with their left hand. The bearer then executes Raised Guidon as previously described in paragraph F-10. The bearer returns to Carry Guidon from Raised Guidon as described in paragraph F-9.
Figure F-4. Raised Guidon
F-11. To assume this position, execute the following actions:
On the preparatory commands for Present, ARMS and Eyes, RIGHT, execute Raised Guidon. On the command of execution, lower the guidon to the front using the right hand, keeping the left hand in the same position as Raised Guidon until the guidon is in the horizontal position resting under the arm pit. As soon as the staff is horizontal, return the left hand sharply to the left side (see figure F-5 on page F-6).
During a review, execute Eyes Right as the guidon is presented on the command of execution RIGHT. Move the head and eyes to the front as the guidon is raised on the command Ready of Ready, FRONT.
On the command Order of Order, ARMS or Ready of Ready, FRONT, regrasp the staff with the left hand at its original position and execute Raised Guidon. On the command of execution ARMS or FRONT, lower the guidon back to the carry or order position.
Figure F-5. Present guidon
F-12. When the guidon bearer (not in formation) has to salute from the order or carry position, the Salute is given with the left hand. To achieve this position, execute the following actions:
Move the left hand sharply to a position so that the first joint of the forefinger is touching the staff. The fingers and thumb are extended and joined, palm down, wrist straight, and forearm horizontal (see figure F-6).
After the Salute is acknowledged, return the left hand sharply to the side
When at Double Time (not in formation), return to Quick Time, returning the guidon to the carry position and render the guidon Salute as previously described. Upon completing the Salute return to the carry position and resume Double Time (see figure F-7 on page F-8).
Figure F-6. Guidon bearer’s Salute
Figure F-7. Double Time
