Tiger Battalion LET Manual - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Colors

From the earliest times, warriors used a banner or other symbol to identify specific units and to serve as a rallying point for troops. In medieval days, the standard or banner was used to signal a general assault, which was generated by a cry of “Advance your banners.” Until comparatively recent years, the flags that identified nations usually were based on the personal or family heraldry of the reigning monarch or ruling nobleman. As autocracies faded or disappeared, dynastic Colors were no longer popular and national flags, as thought of today, came into being. These national flags, such as the Union Jack of Great Britain, the TriColor of France, and the Stars and Stripes, are relatively new to history.

Section 1

History

15-1. 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 Thirteen 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 Saint George and Saint Andrew from the British flag.

15-2. The Stars and Stripes was born on 14 June 1777, two years to the day after the birth of the Army. 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. The arrangement of the stars on the blue field was not specified:

According to some historians, the Stars and Stripes was first raised over Fort Stanwix, New York, on 3 August 1777. In that Army version of the flag, the stars were arranged in a circle. (The U.S. Navy version had the stars arranged to form crosses similar to the British flag.)
When Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, the flag was modified so that there were 15 stars and 15 stripes. It was that flag, flying triumphantly over Fort McHenry, Maryland, on 13 and 14 September 1814, which inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” That flag was the national banner from 1795 until 1818. Thus, when it was raised over Tripoli by the Marines in 1805, it was the first U.S. flag to be hoisted over conquered territory in the Old World. Later, it was flown by General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orlean
Realizing that adding a stripe for each new state would soon spoil the appearance of the flag, Congress passed a law in 1818 fixing the number of stripes at 13 and providing for the addition of a star in the Blue Union for each new state. The star is to be added and the new flag to become official on the Fourth of July following the admission of the new state to the Union.
It was not until shortly before the Civil War that the Stars and Stripes became the national Color.

15-3. Before the Civil War, in lieu of a national Color, U.S. Soldiers carried a blue silk Color on which was embroidered the arms of the United States, and an American eagle bearing a shield on its breast, and in its talons an olive branch and arrows, signifying peace and war. After the national Color was authorized, the organizational Color with the eagle became the regimental Color. Because of the high casualty rate among the members of the Color party, plus the advent of modern weapons, the time-honored practice of carrying the Colors in battle was discontinued. Today, the Colors, with battle streamers attached, join their unit in formations during ceremonies to signify their presence during past battles.

Section 1 - History

Section 2

The Color and Colors

15-4. 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. By regulation, the organizational Color is not authorized a Salute; however, in the past some organizations have observed the custom of saluting the organizational Color.

15-5. In garrison, the Colors are normally kept at the office or headquarters of the commanding officer. They are escorted to and from the headquarters or office by the Color guard. In the field, the Colors are normally displayed from reveille to retreat in front of the commanding officer’s tent or command post. During inclement weather, they are cased and placed in the commanding officer’s office, headquarters, or tent.

15-6. Individuals or units passing or being passed by uncased Colors out of doors render honors. Individuals, not part of a formation, salute six steps distance from the Colors and hold the Salute until they have passed six steps beyond the Colors. The individual in charge of a formation calls the formation to ATTENTION and Present, ARMS.

15-7. The Colors will be carried on all ceremonial occasions when two or more companies, honor guards, or representative elements of a command participate. Traditionally, the CSM is responsible for the safeguarding, care, and display of the organizational Color. The CSM is also responsible for the selection, training, and performance of the Color bearers and Color guards.

15-8. During a review, parade, or honor guard ceremony, ordinarily only one national Color is present. The national Color is given the honor position and is carried on the marching right of positional and organizational Colors. The U.S. Army flag or the Army field flag (when authorized) is carried to the immediate left of the national Color. The organizational Color of the senior headquarters sponsoring the ceremony is carried to the left of the Army flag or field flag, if present. The Colors belonging to the headquarters conducting the ceremonies are positioned on line with and centered on the command. Subordinate Color-bearing organizations ordinarily carry only their organizational Colors (four steps to the rear of their staff). The regulation for individual flags and distinguishing flags for general officers and other dignitaries is the same as that for organizational Colors (see AR 840-10).

15-9. When the local commander wishes, or considers it more appropriate, they may authorize subordinate Color-bearing organizations to carry their national Color with their organizational Colors behind their staffs. Consideration must be given as to the number of times the spectators will be required to stand during the pass in review. Also, consideration must be given to the frequency of Salutes required by the reviewing officer:

Another method in which subordinate Color-bearing units may carry their Colors is to have them participate in a massed Colors formation. Because of many complications caused by massed Colors, units should prescribe a local SOP governing the desired procedures.
Examples of complications include: organizational Colors losing their identity, order of precedence, resizing of Color guards and bearers, uniformity when the first rank consists of five Soldiers rather than four, and presenting a good appearance when returning to the formation after being brought forward while keeping the national Color on the marching right.

15-10. When Colors are participating in a ceremony, they will be received and dismissed. Information pertaining to Colors participating in a ceremony are described in paragraphs 15-20 and 15-24.

Section 2 - The Color and Colors

Section 3

Color Guard Teams

15-27. The Color guard detail is configured in several different ways with each configuration requiring different steps when conducting a movement of the Color guard to the rear during ceremonies. This section discusses the steps and movements for Color guard in the several different configurations.

Section 3 - Color Guard Teams

Section 4

Positioning of the Colors

15-32. The position of the Colors will change throughout the ceremony. This section addresses the position of the Colors at the Order, Carry, Parade Rest, and Salute.

Section 4 - Positioning of the Colors

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