Flags and Guidons

04/22/23Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc1

Flags and GuidonsFlags and GuidonsJ. Wheeler Hammontree


Introduction Introduction

Military flags have their origins in the standards of Rome and the banners of the crusader period. Until recently the flag was a primary tool for directing the battle. The flag was the rally point for the unit and it’s most guarded possession.

Today the flag serves a mainly ceremonial purpose, and its importance in esprit d’corps is significantly less.


AgendaAgendaOrganizational ColorDistinguishing FlagGuidon


Organizational ColorsOrganizational ColorsOnly units under the Regimental System

are authorized Organizational Colors– Exception: United States Military Academy

Corps of CadetsThe lowest numbered battalion maintains

custody of the Regimental Color.Battle Streamers are attached to the staff of

the color below the finial.


Organizational Colors – Organizational Colors – Description Description Organizational colors are a solid color

background with the American Eagle embroidered thereon.

Its beak grasps a white scroll inscribed with the unit motto.

Below the eagle is a white scroll inscribed with the designation of the organization.

On the eagle’s breast is embroidered the shield of the coat of arms and the crest is above the eagle’s head.


Organizational Colors – Organizational Colors – Description (Cont.)Description (Cont.)The color of the background is that of the

principal branch color.For those organizations with an approved

badge in lieu of a coat of arms, the eagle’s breast is feathered proper and the badge is placed above the eagle’s head.


Organizational Color – Corps of Organizational Color – Corps of CadetsCadets

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us%5Euscc2.gif


Organizational Color – Organizational Color – Regiment Regiment

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us%5E11cv.gif


Organizational Color – Organizational Color – Battalions of RegimentsBattalions of Regiments

1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us%5Ea1182.gif


Distinguishing FlagsDistinguishing FlagsThose units not authorized an

Organizational Color bear a Distinguishing Flag.

Battle Streamers may be displayed with the Distinguishing Flag.


Distinguishing Flag – Major Distinguishing Flag – Major CommandCommandMACOM flags are: on a field of national

flag blue, fringed yellow, the arms of the United States, in chief the MACOM’s SSI, in base a scroll bearing the unit designation.


Distinguishing Flag – Major Distinguishing Flag – Major CommandCommand

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us%5Eforco.gif


Distinguishing Flag – Distinguishing Flag – Numbered ArmiesNumbered ArmiesThe flag is: per fess white and red, fringed

yellow, the SSI of the Numbered Army centered proper and piped countercharged


Distinguishing Flag – CorpsDistinguishing Flag – Corps

Corps Flag: per fess blue and white, fringed yellow, the SSI of the corps centered proper and piped countercharged


Distinguishing Flag – DivisionDistinguishing Flag – Division

The division flag is: per fess red and blue or yellow (yellow for cavalry and armor), fringed yellow, the SSI centered proper


Distinguishing Flag – Armies, Distinguishing Flag – Armies, Corps, DivisionsCorps, Divisions

82nd Airborne Division


Distinguishing Flag – Brigades Distinguishing Flag – Brigades of Divisionsof DivisionsBrigade Flags: per pale red and blue or

yellow (yellow for cavalry or armor), fringed yellow, the SSI proper, the name/number of the brigade below the SSI, all centered.


Distinguishing Flag – Brigades Distinguishing Flag – Brigades of Divisionsof Divisions


Distinguishing Flag – Separate Distinguishing Flag – Separate BrigadesBrigadesSeparate Brigade Flags are: per pale in

colors prescribed for branch (table 5-2 AR 840-10), the SSI centered proper, fringe yellow


Distinguishing Flag – Separate Distinguishing Flag – Separate BrigadesBrigades

130th Engineer Brigade 30th Field Artillery Brigade 18th Aviation Brigade

7th Signal Brigade 103rd Support Brigade


Distinguishing flags -- otherDistinguishing flags -- otherThere are numerous more categories for

distinguishing flags, those above are some of the more commonly seen ones.

Educational Institutions with a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit may be authorized an Institutional Flag.


GuidonsGuidonsAuthorized for companies, batteries,

troops, separate platoons, or units with 20 or more assigned strength.

Guidons are of swallow tail design.Campaign participation is recognized by

silver bands on the staff below the guidon.


Guidons (Cont)Guidons (Cont)In general the design of the guidon follows

that of the organizational flagUnit designation numerals/letters go from

top down e.g. a company of a battalion of a regiment would have the regimental number at the chief of the guidon, the battalion number at the hoist, and the company letter in the base


Guidon – HQ of an Army, Corps or Guidon – HQ of an Army, Corps or DivisionDivision

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 18th Airborne Corps


Guidon – HQ of BrigadeGuidon – HQ of Brigade


Guidon – Company of Regiment or Guidon – Company of Regiment or Separate BattalionSeparate Battalion

A Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion; White on Scarlet background


Guidon – Company of a Battalion Guidon – Company of a Battalion of a Regimentof a Regiment

A Company, 1st Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment; White on Dark Blue


Guidon – Cavalry Troop of a Guidon – Cavalry Troop of a RegimentRegiment

A Troop, 1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment; Countercharged on Red over White


Resources / BibliographyResources / Bibliography

All colored flag images from Flags of the World , artist Tom Gregg.

Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile and Aircraft Plates; AR 840-10

http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r840_10.pdf




Documents

Flags and Guidons