CIVIL AIR PATROL SIOUX FALLS COLOR GUARD TEAM INSTRUCTOR S GUIDE

CIVIL AIR PATROL SIOUX FALLS COLOR GUARD TEAM INSTRUCTOR S GUIDE 01 OCT 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Conducting Color Guard Tryouts Chapter 2 Basic Training- Flag Etiquette Chapter 3 Maneuvers and Commands

Chapter 1 CONDUCTING COLOR GUARD TRYOUTS Purpose: The purpose of holding team try outs is not to determine if the cadet is good enough to join the team but if the cadet has the ability to learn at an effective level. Ideally as an instructor, you should be able to take any cadet and turn them into a sharp, effective team member. This team will be modeled after the USAF Honor Guard so when you team the cadets make sure you use all your resources into to team as the Honor Guard would. This is very important to start this type of training from day 1. Begin: Start with putting the word out that you are holding Color Guard team tryouts at a certain time and date. Invite every cadet that wishes to join. Tryouts should not be completed in one session, you must break them up into at least 3 sessions or as many as needed. Once you have a list of cadets who wish to tryout make sure you have the team commander contact each of them a few days before the tryouts to confirm they are coming. Once there you must put them into a formation and distribute spin sticks. Give a short speech introducing your as an instructor, the cadet Team Commander and any other instructors. The Run: Quickly show the cadets port arms and command them to keep their spin stick at port arms. You or another instructor and the entire team are to go on a short run or other stationary exercise. Cadets must get used to the idea of some exercise before every practice. After you have run the nervousness and other jitters out of the cadet give them a very short break to get water. Let the cadets know they did well and note to your self which cadets will need work on their physical fitness. Basic Rifle Maneuvers: First off teach the cadets rifle etiquette. Do not ever call it a gun. The rifle is to be referred to at all times as a rifle or weapon. Then teach the following basic maneuvers:

Rest butt thumb the as in POSITION OF ORDER ARMS the butt of the rifle on ground with barrel to rear. Hold toe of the against right shoe and on line with the toe. Hold rifle between and fingers of right hand, keeping the open part of the hand to front and hand and forearm behind the weapon. Hold left hand the position of attention. PARADE REST FROM ORDER ARMS At order arms, the command is, PARADE REST. At the command REST, move the left foot smartly 12 inches to the left of the right foot, keeping the legs straight so that the weight of the body rests equally on both feet. At the same time, incline the muzzle of the rifle to the front. Extend right arm with right hand grasping rifle just below the stacking swivel. Place left hand behind body, resting it on small of back, palm flattened and to the rear. RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS At order arms, the command is RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS. On the command ARMS (one) raise and carry the rifle diagonally across the body with the right hand. At the same time grasp the rifle at the balance with the left hand. (Two) Regrasp the butt with the right hand, the heel of the butt between the first two fingers and thumb with fingers closed on the stock. (Three) Without changing the grasp of the right hand, place the rifle on right shoulder, barrel up and inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees from the horizontal. Hold the right elbow against side of body with the forearm horizontal, with the rifle in a vertical plane perpendicular to the front. The trigger guard should be in the hollow of the right shoulder. At the same time with the left hand at the small of the stock, thumb and fingers extended and joined; guide the rifle to the right shoulder. The first joint of the forefinger touches the rear end of the receiver. Hold wrist straight and elbow down. (Four) Cut away left hand smartly to the side.

LEFT SHOULDER ARMS FROM PORT ARMS At port arms, the command is LEFT SHOULDER ARMS. At the command ARMS, (One) release the grip of the left hand on the rifle and with the right hand still grasping small of the stock, place rifle on left shoulder, barrel up, trigger guard in the hollow of the shoulder. At the same time, grasp the butt with left hand, heel of the butt between the first and second fingers, thumb and fingers closed on the stock, left forearm horizontal, left elbow against side. (Two) Drop right hand quickly to side. Left shoulder arms also may be ordered when rifles are at the order, right shoulder, or present. On the command ARMS, execute port arms and continue in cadence to the position ordered. PRESENT ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS At the order arms, the command is PRESENT ARMS. At the command ARMS, which is the count of (one) in this movement, carry the rifle in front of the center of body with right hand. The barrel is to the rear and vertical. Grasp the rifle with left hand at the balance, the forearm horizontal and resting against the body. (Two) Grasp the small of the stock with the right hand. As you complete teaching one maneuver to the

have the cadets break up into pairs and practice what they have just learned. By the time they have leaned each maneuver you should end the tryout day. Have the cadets take home the spin sticks and instruct them to practice the moves they have learned. Basic Flag Maneuvers: Colors at Order: At the order, the flag bearer rests the ferrule of the staff on the ground on line with and touching the toe of the right shoe. With the right hand, the staff is clasped at a convenient place, keeping the back of the hand to the right and holding the staff in a vertical position. Carry Colors: Position of the Flag at the Carry. At the carry, the ferrule of the staff rests in the socket of the sling. The flag bearer grasps the staff with the right hand at the height of the shoulder, only using the left hand to steady the staff in a strong wind. Parade Rest: Parade rest with the flag is similar to parade rest for the individual airman except the flag bearer keeps the staff vertical. Present Arms: The Air Force flag is dipped in salute in all military ceremonies when the national anthem or To the Colors is played and when rendering honors. In marching, the Air Force flag is dipped in salute when it is approximately six paces from the front of the person entitled to the salute. It resumes the carry when it is approximately six paces beyond that person. Selection of candidates: After you are confident that the cadets have been correctly trained on the basic maneuvers of both rifle and flag it is time to conduct a selection process. You may make up your own way of selecting but it should consist of the following. -Does it appear the cadet has practiced the maneuvers thought in previous sessions? -How well has the cadet improved since day 1 of training? -Does the cadet show a clear understanding of both flag and rile maneuvers? You may add other criteria to your selection process but should at least include the above. Once cadets have been selected as new members a pinning ceremony should be held during normal closing formation. You should wait for this formation until you have acquired a white shoulder cord to place on the cadet s left shoulder. Chapter 2

Basic Training- Flag Etiquette Colors on the Flag On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated: "The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice." "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun." The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are: The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal. The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker s desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top. The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations. The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously. The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service. Displaying the Flag Outdoors When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea. When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building. When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right...the other flags may be smaller but none may be larger...no other flag ever should be placed above it...the flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered. When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation. Raising and Lowering the Flag The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest. Displaying the Flag Indoors When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display. When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag. When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left. Parading and Saluting the Flag When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or

lowered, all should face the flag and salute. The Salute To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge. The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music. The Flag in Mourning To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset. The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave. Chapter 3 Maneuvers and Commands Introduction: A Color Team will be composed of two rifle guards and two (or three) flag bearers. The height of the team members should be as closely matched as possible. If there is a noticeable difference in members height, the team should be arranged in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing. The NCT (NCOIC of Color Team) is the US National flag bearer and will call all

commands from this position. The NCT does not have to be the highest-ranking member of the team. He/she should be the most experienced and qualified member to successfully complete the mission. The NCT is responsible for ensuring all members are well versed on their positions and ceremony sequences as well as making sure members are in proper uniform. All Color team members will wear the white shoulder cord on their left shoulder of their blue Air Force shirt. All flag bearers within the team will wear flag harnesses, even if they will not be used. (Note: ribbons and accouterments are optional when wearing the flag harnesses.) The flags should always be carried and displayed in proper order. The order (from front to rear when in column formation and from left to right as the audience views the team when abreast) is as follows: 1. National Emblems (U.S. Flag) 2. State and Territorial Flags 3. Service Flags (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) 4. Organizational Flags Commands: The supplementary command of Colors, will be called for all commands whenever performing with another element. Example: Colors, Present, ARMS. At all ceremonies, commands will be called in a manner and volume fitting to command the attention of the audience. Definition of Terms: Colors Turn. There are two positions in which a colors turn is executed: When abreast at the position of attention and in column formation at the position of mark time. When at attention, the command is Colors, Colors Turn, MARCH. Upon the command of execution the team will begin a mark time with their left foot simultaneously turning 22.5 degrees to the right on each of the first four steps. On the fifth step the team will automatically forward march in a natural stepping motion. When at the position of mark time, the command is Colors (1,2,3) HALT. The command of Colors will be given on the left heel beat. Immediately upon this command each team member will begin to rotate 22.5 degrees to the left on each of the next 4 heel beats. On the fourth heel beat after the command of Colors, the command of HALT will be given. The team will then halt in unison. Left About, MARCH. This movement can be executed only when the team is abreast. This movement is used to rotate color team one hundred eighty degrees while keeping the national flag in the position of honor. This movement should be completed in sixteen counts for a four-person team and twenty counts for a five-person team. The command is Left About, MARCH. This command can be given from the position of attention or mark time. When executed from the position of attention the count begins on the first heel beat. When executed from mark time, the count begins on the foot following the command of execution. Upon the command of execution, all team members should begin to rotate the team in a wheeling manner to the left. It is very important that rifle guards provide enough shoulder and hip pressure to keep the team tight. The pivot point for this movement should be the center of the team. The team should stay in a straight line through the duration of the movement. Upon the completion of the turn, either the command of Forward, MARCH or Colors, HALT be given on a left heel beat. Right/Left Wheel. This movement can be executed only when the team is abreast. This movement is used to rotate the team ninety degrees to the left/right. This movement should be executed in eight counts for a four-person team and ten counts for a five-person team. The command is Right/Left Wheel, MARCH. This command can be given from the position of attention or mark time. Upon the command of execution, all team members should begin to rotate the team in a wheeling manner in the appropriate direction. It is very important that rifle guards provide enough shoulder and hip pressure to keep the team tight. The pivot point for this movement should be the center of the team. The team should stay in a straight line through the duration of the movement. Upon the completion of the turn, either the command of Forward, MARCH or Colors, HALT will be given on a left heel beat.

Mark Time, MARCH. The command is given from attention or while marching and is used to suspend progress temporarily. This command can be given in any colors formation. The command is Mark Time, MARCH. When given while marching the command should be called on the left heel beat, and all members will take one twenty-four inch step after the command of execution before suspending forward progress. If called from Attention, all members will begin marching in place beginning with their left foot. Dress Center, Dress. This command is given to dress the colors or align them evenly. On the command of execution, all team members will lower their heads straight down on a three second cadence. All members of the team dress to the NCT. When the team is aligned properly, the NCT will give the command Ready, FRONT. On the command of execution the members raise their heads on a three second cadence, returning to the proper position of attention. Stand Fast. This is a term used by the colors to remain in a certain position while other units are performing another movement. Colors, Stand At, EASE. This is a type of parade rest in which the color team is in a posture ready to return to attention and receive commands. Stand At, EASE. This two-count movement is executed when the colors are at the position of attention. On the command of execution, the left foot will move six to eight inches to the left. On the second count, members will raise their left hand to the cup on the harness, grasping it at with a fist. (Stand At Ease) Count 1 (Stand At Ease) Count 2 Weapons Movement (Rifle Guards) Attention. Weapon is held on the right side of the body with the stock parallel to the foot and even with the toes. Stand at the position of attention with the right hand flared to the right of the barrel along the hand guard. The web of the thumb is along the rear of the spindle valve. The rest of the body is in the normal position of attention Colors, Stand At, Ease. This is a two-count movement given from the position of attention only. On the command of execution, briskly move the left foot six to eight inches to the left. Feet should remain parallel with each other. Next, bring both hands, along with the rifle to the center of your body. The sling should be facing to the left. Both hands should be gripping the top of the barrel with fists, left over right. Stand-By Colors, ATTENTION. This command is used to return the team to the position of attention. When the command of Stand-By is given lower the right hand from the barrel to the Spindle Valve. Upon the command, Colors, move the left hand to the small of the back. Simultaneously extend the weapon forward to a forty-five degree angle resting on the toe of the butt. On the command of ATTENTION, sharply return to the position of attention.

Present ARMS (from Right Shoulder ARMS). This is a three-count movement. Quickly raise right hand to the small of the stock and twist rifle counter-clockwise so the sling is facing forward. The front sight should be at eye level. Left pinky is at the lower hand guard retainer band. Right hand should be gripping the small of the stock, not flared. Flag bearers on the second count, members will raise their left hand to the cup on the harness, grasping it at with a fist and execute a dip. Dip. This is not a command. It is the action of lowering the flag to approximately a forty-five degree angle, performed upon the command of Present, ARMS. A dip can be executed from the positions of port arms and right shoulder arms. This is done with a three second dip.