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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

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

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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Resources / Bibliography
All colored flag images from Flags of the World , artist Tom Gregg.
Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile and Aircraft Plates; AR
Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc
4/17/2019