Flags and Guidons J. Wheeler Hammontree Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Agenda Organizational Color Distinguishing Flag Guidon Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Organizational Colors Only units under the Regimental System are authorized Organizational Colors Exception: United States Military Academy Corps of Cadets The lowest numbered battalion maintains custody of the Regimental Color. Battle Streamers are attached to the staff of the color below the finial. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Organizational Colors – 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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Organizational Colors – 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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Organizational Color – Corps of Cadets Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Organizational Color – Regiment 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Organizational Color – Battalions of Regiments 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flags Those units not authorized an Organizational Color bear a Distinguishing Flag. Battle Streamers may be displayed with the Distinguishing Flag. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Major Command MACOM 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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Major Command Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Numbered Armies The flag is: per fess white and red, fringed yellow, the SSI of the Numbered Army centered proper and piped countercharged Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Corps Corps Flag: per fess blue and white, fringed yellow, the SSI of the corps centered proper and piped countercharged Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Division The division flag is: per fess red and blue or yellow (yellow for cavalry and armor), fringed yellow, the SSI centered proper Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Armies, Corps, Divisions 82nd Airborne Division Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Brigades of Divisions Brigade 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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Brigades of Divisions Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Separate Brigades Separate Brigade Flags are: per pale in colors prescribed for branch (table 5-2 AR 840-10), the SSI centered proper, fringe yellow Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing Flag – Separate Brigades 130th Engineer Brigade 30th Field Artillery Brigade 18th Aviation Brigade 7th Signal Brigade 103rd Support Brigade Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Distinguishing flags -- other There 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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidons Authorized 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. Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidons (Cont) In general the design of the guidon follows that of the organizational flag Unit 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 Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidon – HQ of an Army, Corps or Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 18th Airborne Corps Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidon – HQ of Brigade Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidon – Company of Regiment or Separate Battalion A Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion; White on Scarlet background Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidon – Company of a Battalion of a Regiment A Company, 1st Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment; White on Dark Blue Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Guidon – Cavalry Troop of a Regiment A Troop, 1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment; Countercharged on Red over White Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019

Resources / 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 Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4/17/2019