Flag Ceremonies and Federal Flag Code
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Curiosity Untamed promotes patriotism in all of our members. Knowing how to perform a flag ceremony correctly, as well as how to properly handle a flag is one of the most important skills a member can learn as it shows respect on honor for our country. We encourage our members to volunteer their time to perform formal flag ceremonies for community events, but you must be able to do it correctly and with proper respect.
How To Perform A Simple Flag Ceremony
To hold a flag ceremony you will need the following participants:
Color (or Flag) Bearer – One per flag if more than one flag is present. Hold staff (pole) at 30°angle in front of body, or hold folded flag (with point away from body) in front of body at waist level. The Flag Bearer is responsible for putting the flag in, or taking flag from, the stand, or raising/lowering flag from flagpole.
Color Guard – The purpose of the Color Guard of Honor is to protect the flag. Because this requires full attention, the members do not participate in any part of the flag ceremony (singing, speaking, etc.), but stand silently “At Attention.” The Color Guard may consist of any number. Color Guards stand on each side of the Color Bearer and watch to see that the flag does not touch the ground. One or more members may assist the flag bearer in posting/retrieving the flag from the stand/pole. The minimum is one Color (Flag) Bearer and one Color Guard
Caller – The only member of Color Guard to speak. Gives directions to audience and commands to Color Guard.
Line Leaders – Usually part of an outdoor Color Guard. Leads the audience into/out of the desired formation
The Ceremony:
All participants should stand at attention. When you are ready, have the caller begin.
Caller: “Please stand in honor of our flag.” (audience should stand at attention and in silence, removing their hats.)
Caller: “Color Guards attention!” (Color Guards should be standing at attention, eyes on the flag and arms at their sides.)
Caller: “Color Guards advance!” (The Flag Bearer and Color Guards begin walking towards the caller. Color Guards should always be one step behind the Flag Bearer, and should keep an eye on the bottom of the flag to catch it if it looks like it may touch the ground.)
Caller: “Color Guards halt!” (The Flag Bearer and Color Guards stop a few feet in front of the Caller or at an appropriate location.)
Caller: “Color Guards honor your colors!” (The Color Guards place their right hand over their hearts and step back with their right foot and then come back to standing position.)
Caller: “Color Guards present the colors!” (If the audience is behind the color guard, the Flag Bearer and Color Guards turn around to face the audience. Make sure everyone turns to their right side to keep it looking uniform. The flag bearer should step forward so that they are in front of the color guard.)
Caller: “Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag…” (All audience members should join in the Pledge. Color Guards stand in silence at attention.)
Caller: “Color Guards post the colors!” (The Flag Bearer brings the flag to wherever the stand is located, usually in the front of the room somewhere, and then returns to position.)
Caller: “Color Guards dismissed!” (The Flag Bearer and Color Guards turn around and walk back to where they began or take their seats.)
Make sure that your caller speaks loudly and with authority, giving the audience and color guard enough time to react to each command.
Each flag that is carried should have one person who bears the flag and at least one who guards it (color guard). The American Flag is always given the place of honor and leads the color guard. If carried in a line it should be on its own right. When displaying the American flag, make sure that it is to the right of the staging area, while other flags are placed on the left. The American flag should always be at the center and at the highest point when a group of flags are displayed together. The color guard’s job is to help the flag bearer in any way needed and to make sure that the American flag does not touch the ground. The color guard and flag bearers do not talk or sing during the ceremony but stand at attention.
You may choose to enhance a flag ceremony with music, poetry, or readings. If so, do this portion of the ceremony after the flag is presented to the audience and before it is posted. A variety of sample pieces you may wish to use for your ceremonies are listed at the bottom of this page for your convenience. Many of these were taken from the internet and the author is not known. If you know the author, please notify us so that proper credit can be given.
More Advanced Flag Ceremonies
Flag Ceremonies
The Frontier Girls program promotes patriotism in all our members. Knowing how to perform a flag ceremony correctly, as well as how to properly handle a flag is one of the skills that sets Frontier Girls apart.
We encourage our troops and members to volunteer their time to perform formal flag ceremonies for community events, but you must be able to do it correctly and with proper respect. When performing flag ceremonies in public, girls must wear the complete Flag Corps uniform: a white polo shirt (tucked in), navy pleated or “A” line skirt, uniform vest, white ankle socks and white tennis shoes (clean). White gloves and navy berets may also be worn if your troop desires a more formal look.
Carrying the American Flag when Staffed
The American flag (when staffed and carried in a sling, or hand carried) is always positioned straight upright and never dipped unless it is absolutely required to clear a low-hanging obstacle (“Angle Port”). When hand carried (“Order, Colors”) the Color Guard flag bearer(s) carry flags at the right side of the body, grasping the staff with right hand in a cupping shape with the staff resting against the right shoulder so the staff is straight, vertical, and a few inches above the ground. When the Color Guard is stationary the staff may rest on the ground on the right side of the flag bearer in a straight and vertical position with the bottom of the staff touching the toe of the right shoe. When staffed and carried in a sling (“Carry, Colors”) the flag bearer uses the right hand (or both when necessary for stability) to grasp the staff so that it maintains a position straight and vertical from the socket of the sling upwards. To return the flag from the Carry Colors position to the Order Colors position, the Color Guard Captain calls “Order, Colors.”
Presenting & Posting the Colors
The format for a proper flag ceremony is as follows:
Caller: “Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the flag of our country.”
(Audience rises, removes hats, and places their hands over their hearts)
“Color Guard, attention”
(Color Guard stands at attention, ready for the ceremony)
“Color Guard, advance”
(Color Guard advances toward the caller)
“Color Guard, halt”
(Color Guard halts when reaching the front of the room)
“Color Guard, present the colors”
(All guards and bearers should turn to their right to face the audience and the
flag bearers should take one step in front of the guards, facing the audience and
presenting the flag so it can be clearly seen.)
“Color Guard, hHonor your cColors”
(The American Flag bearers stands at attention maintaining the American flag straight
and upright; the other flag bearer(s) dip their flags 45 degrees by extending their right
arm straight out; guards place their right hand over their heart, move their left foot one
step back, and then return left foot back to the position of Attention keeping their right
hand over their heart.) and then back down at their sides.
(National anthem is performed or played. Color Guard remains silently standing at
attention during the anthem with guards maintaining hand over heart)
— or —
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance”
(Caller leads the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The American Flag bearer stands
at attention maintaining the American flag straight and upright; the other flag bearer(s)
dip their flags 45 degrees by extending their right arm straight out; guards place their
right hand over their heart, move their left foot one step back, and then return left foot
back to the position of Attention keeping their right hand over their heart.) Color
guard remains standing at attention and does not recite the pledge). Their job is to
protect the flag.)
“Color Guard, Two”
(American flag bearer remains in the position of Attention; other flag bearers return their
flags to the straight and upright position; guards drop their hand-over-heart salute and
return hands to their sides in normal position of attention)
“Color Guard, post the colors”
(Flag bearers post the flags in their stands with the and return to formation. Make sure that the American flag is posted before all others. Flag bearers look up to adjust
eagle/spade ornament to face audience, then dress the flags by grabbing edges of the
flag, extending outward, and wrapping the edges of the flags on each side behind the
staff. After dressing flags the flag bearers return to their positions in the Color Guard)
“Color Guard, rRetreat”
(Color Guard exits the stage/area) returns to where they began)
Make sure that your caller speaks loudly and with authority, giving the audience and color guard enough time to react to each command. The above script may be split between a Troop Leader or other Caller and a Color Guard Captain wherein the Caller calls all portions beginning with “Ladies and Gentlemen” and the Color Guard Captain calls all commands starting with “Color Guard.”
Each flag that is carried should have one girl who bears the American flag and at least one (ideally two) who guards it (color guard). The American Flag is always given the place of honor and leads the color guard. If carried in a line it should be on its own right. When displayed from a staff in a church, public auditorium or meeting place, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the speaker’s right as he/she faces the audience. The staffed flag should always be placed to the right of the speaker (audience’s left) without regard to a platform or floor level. Any other flag displayed should be placed on the left of the speaker (right of the audience). When displaying the American flag, make sure that it is to the right of the staging area, while other flags are placed on the left. The American flag should always be at the center and at the highest point when a group of flags are displayed together.
The American flag should never be marched by the flag bearer in backwards motion. The color guard’s job is to help the flag bearer in any way needed and to make sure that the American flag does not touch the ground or get caught up in obstacles. The color guard and flag bearers do not talk or sing during the ceremony but stand at attention.
You may choose to enhance a flag ceremony with music, poetry, or readings. If so, do this portion of the ceremony after the flag is presented to the audience and before it is posted. A variety of sample pieces you may wish to use for your ceremonies are listed for your convenience. Many of these were taken from the internet and the author is not known. If you know the author, please notify us so that proper credit can be given
Hoisting and Lowering the Flag
When practical, a Color Guard consisting of an experienced Frontier Girl (Color Guard Captain) and two other Frontier Girls guards hoist the flag. A fourth Frontier Girl may be used if desired. The fourth girl will assist in unraveling and attaching the flag to the lanyard.
The Color Guard formation is formed in line with the Captain carrying the flag in the center.
The formation marches to the flagstaff, halts, and attaches the flag to the halyards. The flag is always raised and lowered from the leeward side of the flagstaff. The two guards attend the halyards, taking a position facing the staff to hoist the flag without entangling the halyards. The Captain continues to hold the flag until it is hoisted clear of the grasp, taking particular care that no portion of the flag touches the ground. When the flag is clear of the grasp, the Captain comes to attention and renders the ceremonial hand-over-heart salute while the national anthem or “To the Colors” is played and/or while the flag is being raised.
On the last note of the National Anthem or “To the Colors”, or after the flag has been
hoisted to the staff head, all members of the Color Guard drop their hand-over-hear salute when the Captain calls “Two.” The halyards are then secured to the cleat of the staff or, if appropriate, the flag is lowered to half-staff and the halyard secured. The Color Guard is formed again and marches to the dismissal area.
When practical, a Color Guard consisting of an experienced Frontier Girl (Color Guard Captain) and three other Frontier Girl guards lower the flag. The Color Guard forms and marches to the flagstaff, and the halyards are detached and attended from the leeward side.
On the first note of the national anthem or, if no band is present, To the Colors, the
Color Guard girls not lowering the flag execute hand-over-heart salute. The lowering of the flag is coordinated with the playing of the music so the two are completed at the same time. The Color Guard Captain calls “Two” when the flag is low enough to be received.
If at half-staff, the flag is hoisted briskly to the staff head while retreat is sounded, and then it is lowered on the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors.
The flag is detached from the halyards and folded. The halyards are secured to the staff. The Color Guard is formed again and marches to the dismissal area.
Frontier Girl Salute
The Frontier Girl salute for use during ceremonies involving the American flag is the right hand placed over the heart. When in uniform Frontier Girls are required to always render the hand-over-heart salute during the national anthem, pledge of allegiance, during the hoisting, lowering, and passing of the American flag, and when “Taps” is played. It may also be used in other ceremonies such as a POW-MIA table ceremony or a veteran’s wreath laying ceremony.
During the national anthem, the Frontier Girl faces the American flag (if visible) and renders the hand-over-heart salute from the first note until the last note of the music. If the American flag is not visible during the national anthem, the Frontier Girl faces the direction that the music of the national anthem is coming from and renders the hand-over-heart salute in that direction.
During the pledge of allegiance Frontier Girls shall render the hand-over-heart salute once commencing recitation of the pledge and maintain the salute until finished reciting.
When the American flag is being hoisted or lowered, Frontier Girls shall render the hand-over-heart salute at the first and last notes of the national anthem or “To the Colors” songs, and/or when commanded in a Troop, Color Guard, or other formation.
Upon hearing the song “Taps” being played Frontier Girls shall render the hand-over-heart salute.
When the American flag passes by a Frontier Girl (such as a Color Guard carrying the American flag passing by in a parade) she shall come to the position of Attention and render the hand-over-heart salute when the American flag arrives within six paces of her, and then drop the salute after the Color Guard has passed six paces beyond her position.
When Frontier Girls are part of a Troop, Color Guard, or other formation and when given the command “Honor Your Colors” the Frontier Girls shall render the hand-over-heart salute while moving their left foot one step back and then immediately returning the left foot back to the position of Attention maintaining the hand-over-heart until given the command “Two.” After receiving the command “Two” the Frontier Girls drop their right hand back to their right side to return to the normal position of attention.
If the Frontier Girl is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States of American or is a veteran of the Armed Forces, she may replace the hand-over-heart salute during the national anthem and pledge of allegiance with the military hand salute bringing the right hand to the edge of the right eyebrow.
Basic Drill
Frontier Girls should be familiar and proficient in basic drill techniques so they may function in an organized, respectful, and professional manner while functioning in Troop, Color Guard, or other Frontier Girl formations. The below guidelines are basic drill techniques that are commonly used in routine Troop and Color Guard situations. Each position or movement is listed by the verbal command that is called by the Frontier Girl leader in charge of the formation:
“Attention”: The position of “Attention” is the base from which all other drill movements and courtesies are derived. Very simply, it is the act of standing attentively, respectfully and quietly while being completely focused on the activity or person around which the Frontier Girl(s) is/are standing. When called to a formation or during a ceremony the attention position is the default until instructed otherwise:
Stand straight, without moving, but slightly bend knees (do not lock the knees)
Feet should have heels together with toes pointing out at a 45-degree angle
Arms hang naturally at the girl’s sides with the thumb and forefinger touching the sides of the skirt or side-seam of the trouser
Hands should be in a gentle fist with thumbs exposed and facing down to the floor
Head should be facing straight forward, eyes looking straight forward
No talking unless Troop Leader, Drill Captain, or other leader calls upon you
“At Ease”: The position of “At Ease” is a less formal rest position. While At Ease, members may relax their posture, make uniform adjustments, etc. While At Ease, girls may not move their right foot (this keeps your place in formation aligned) or speak (many times instructions are given at this time). If the command “At Rest” is given, the girls maintain the position of At Ease but may also talk.
“Left Face” or “Right Face”: Formations will sometimes be in a situation that requires facing movements. Performing a “Left Face” involves two steps:
Count 1; Pivot on the heel of the left foot and the ball of the right foot
Count 2; Move the right foot forward so the heels are together and the feet are at a 45 degree angle.
“Right Face” is the opposite. Pivot on the heel of the right foot and the ball of the left foot and bring the feet together
“About Face”:
Count 1; Place the right toe approximately 4 to 6 inches behind and slightly to the outside of the left heel.
Count 2; Pivot to the right on the left heel and right toe. If properly executed you should face 180 degrees with your heels together and feet at an angle of 45 degrees.
“Honor Your Colors”: Render the hand-over-heart salute while moving the left foot one step back and then immediately returning the left foot back to the position of Attention maintaining the hand-over-heart until given the command “Two.” After receiving the command “Two” the Frontier Girls drop their right hand back to their right side to return to the normal position of attention.
“Advance”: This is the command to commence forward movement of the Troop, Color Guard, or other formation. Girls step straight ahead with their left foot first to begin marching forward. The girls maintain step with each other by following the cadence set by the Frontier Girl leading the formation. The formation leader may verbally call “Left… Left… Left-Right-Left” on occasion to help the girls stay in step during longer marches such as during a parade. Girls shall maintain their dress-and-cover (alignment) in the formation at all times during the march. The leader calling commands first issues a preparatory command to address the formation (“Troop” or “Color Guard”, etc), and then issues the command of execution “Advance.” For example, “Troop, Advance.”
“Halt”: This is the command used to stop the forward movement of the formation and return to a stationary state. While marching, the formation leader, when ready to halt the formation, calls the preparatory command (“Troop” or “Color Guard”, etc) at a moment either of the feet strikes the ground, and then calls the command of execution “Halt” the next time the same foot strikes the ground. On the command “Halt” the Frontier Girls will take one more step, then move the trailing foot smartly alongside the front foot immediately transitioning to the position of Attention.
“Dismissed”: This command is used to dismiss the formation. It is followed by the preparatory command (“Troop” or “Color Guard”, etc) and then the command of execution “Dismissed” is called (ex: “Troop, Dismissed”). Upon the command “Dismissed”, the Frontier Girls are free to break ranks from the formation and go about their own business.
“Retreat”: This command is used to dismiss a Color Guard formation from the area of the ceremony. First the preparatory command “Color Guard” is called and then the command of execution “Retreat” is called (ex: “Color Guard, Retreat”). Upon the command “Retreat”, the Color Guard will march in formation away from the ceremonial area and then halt and dismiss at the command of the Color Guard Captain.
“Fall In”: This command is used to bring Frontier Girls into an orderly formation standing in neat lines. First the preparatory command is given (“Troop”, “Color Guard”, “Team”, etc) and then the command of execution “Fall In” is called (ex: “Team, Fall In” or “Troop, Fall In”, etc).
The Frontier Girls then form a row (or multiple rows), lined up side-by-side next to one another facing their formation leader (ex: a Troop Leader, Team Leader, Patrol Leader, etc). The first girl to fall in positions herself approximately three paces from the formation leader, facing the formation leader, and offsets to the right to ensure the entire formation will be centered on the formation leader. The next girl will fall in next to that girl positioned in an even line horizontally at about an arm’s length to the left of the first girl that formed up. Then the next girl will fall in to the left of that one at arms’ length, and so forth. If there are enough girls to form multiple rows then another girl will fall in directly behind the first girl that formed up and other girls will fill in another row, and so forth.
In larger Troops these rows could be complete Patrols with the Patrol Leader standing in the right- most position of her Patrol’s row. Or a Team within the Troop could comprise a row in the formation. In summer camps or other multi-troop activities multiple Troop formations may line up so their formation leaders and formation rows are all lined up evenly. On a smaller scale a single Patrol Leader may wish to have her Patrol members fall in for drill instruction or uniform inspection, or a Color Guard Captain dually functioning as the American flag bearer may wish to have her Color Guard fall into formation with her, at which time the “Fall In” command is given.
The above drill, ceremonies, and flag honoring guidelines are basic starting points for accomplishing the most commonly-encountered situations in a Frontier Girls Troop. Active Troops and Color Guards are encouraged to go into more depth after mastering these basics by referencing drill and ceremonies regulations and color guard manual of arms that can be found from various military, law enforcement, Color Guard teams, and scouting organizations. Troops that are chartered by American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other veterans organizations are also encouraged to consult with their chartering organization representative for additional assistance in finding training and resources that can help with drill, ceremonies, and honoring the flag.
The following is a list of helpful resources from US Flag Code, veteran’s organizations, youth cadet programs, and military services for going beyond the basic drill and ceremonies procedures that are useful and adaptable for a Frontier Girls Troop or Color Guard:
Federal Flag Code: The display of the American Flag is governed by law to ensure that it will be treated with the respect due the flag of a great nation. This is known as the Flag Code: http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html
Resources on the American Flag from American Legion: https://www.legion.org/flag/
Civil Air Patrol (cadet) Drill and Ceremonies Manual: Great resource that includes many explanations, pictures, and diagrams showing drill and ceremony procedures that are a bit easier to follow than the Air Force and Army drill regulations they are based upon: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/CAPM_362203_A720814DCFDCA.pdf
U.S. Army Drill and Ceremony Training Circular 3-21.5: https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN32297-TC_3-21.5-000-WEB-1.pdf
U.S. Air Force Drill and Ceremonies Pamphlet 34-1203:
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafpam34-1203/dafpam34-1203.pdf
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Inter-Service Cross-Index Drill Manual: an excellent starting point for digging deeper into drill and color guard that also highlights differences across the military services’ techniques. Techniques can be adapted for Frontier Girls use:
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Honor Guard Pamphlet 52-8: Good resource from a youth cadet program that presents basic Color Guard / Honor Guard techniques that can be adapted for Frontier Girls Color Guard use: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/P052_008_B38750453C56C.pdf
Poems and Readings for Customized Flag Ceremony:
https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/patriotic-poems/
Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton: http://www.usflag.org/skeltonspledge.html
Patriotic Songs: https://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/patriotic-songs.html
Federal Flag Code
The display of the American Flag is governed by law to ensure that it will be treated with the respect due the flag of a great nation. This is known as the Flag Code.
US Flag Code http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html
Poems and Readings for Customized Flag Ceremony
Discover Poetry: https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/patriotic-poems/
Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton
http://www.usflag.org/skeltonspledge.html0
Patriotic Songs
Scout Songs: https://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/patriotic-songs.html
