Presentation of the National Colors

Presentation of the National Colors

by a Boy Scout Troop

MC – Black

Color Sergeant – Blue (the Senior member, who is also the Bearer of the National Colors)

Color Sergeant – Soto voice or softly, for the members of the Color Guard only

Instructions - Red

Use the Troop Colors or BSA Colors, as appropriate. Do not mix Military colors and non-military (Boy Scout, Church) colors. Form the guard separately. Example: - Form a color guard for the Church flag and one for the National ensign and military colors. The Church color guard (three abreast), the Christian flag would proceed and the Boy Scout flag would follow the National Ensign with a military unit color guard, as an example.

Note: The color guard is formed and marches in one rank at close interval with the color bearers in the center. While marching, members of the color guard do not swing their free arms. The color guard does not execute to the rear march, about face, flanking movements or fix bayonets. The color bearers are unarmed, but the color guards carry either pistols or rifles (except when inside a chapel). Only color guards mounted on horseback carry the noncommissioned officer’s sword vice a rifle or pistol. When participating in a ceremony inside a chapel, the color guard will be unarmed and uncovered. The color guard will form in column of twos when there is insufficient room to form in a rank abreast

Please join me in the presentation of the Colors. Please remember to salute the National Colors as it passes your position. You may drop your salute when the U.S. flag has advanced three steps past your position. Please rise.

Color Guard, Attention! (The Color Guard is formed with the flags in front; the U.S. flag on its right; the Troop’s flag on the left (these are the Color Bearers) and the Color Guards ( with or without arms) on either side or immediately behind each flag, if there is not enough space.)

Order, Colors! (The right arms of the Color Bearers are wrapped around the flag, holding the staff, with the base touching the ground by the right shoe. This prevents the Colors from flapping.) Note: At order colors, the lower ferrule rests on the deck touching the outside edge of the right shoe. The staff is gripped in a strong grip with the thumb wrapped around the front of the staff with the fingers wrapped to the rear. The right elbow is held close to the side so the forearm will help support the staff. The upper staff rests in the hollow of the right shoulder. The staff is vertical with the flat side of the spearhead facing front. The color bearer is at attention.

Ready, Cut. (This order is given by the Color Sergeant, means the Color Bearers hands move to their sides, prepared to hoist the Colors and march.)

Carry, Colors! (when this order is executed, the Colors are raised for marching, the U.S. Flag is held vertically aloft, the Troop flag is held approximately 75-80 in degrees vertically or slightly lower than the U.S. Flag.) Note: CARRY COLORS FROM ORDER COLORS

1. When changing from order colors to carry colors, the command is “Carry, COLORS.”

2. At the Command “Carry,” change the grip on the staff to the “V” grip so as to grip it from the rear between the thumb and fingers of the right hand with the fingers around the staff.

3. At the command “COLORS,” raise the staff smartly with the right hand to a point where the lower ferrule is just above the sling socket. While raising it, keep the staff vertical. Grasp the staff at the lower ferrule with the left hand to steady it and align it with the sling socket. Do not look down.

NOTE: All organizational colors will be raised to the carry with the national colors.

4. Seat the lower ferrule in the sling socket. As the ferrule is seated, permit the right hand to slide down the staff to a position directly in front of the color bearer's chin.

5. Color guards armed with rifles execute right and left shoulder arms at the command “COLORS” so that the rifles are on the outboard shoulders as described.

6. All members of the color guard will halt their movements before executing the last count. On the senior color bearer’s command “Ready, CUT,” all members will move their free hands smartly to their sides. If the color staffs need additional support due to high winds, the color bearers will grip the staff with their left hands just below their right.

Forward, March! (in one rank at close interval, or if space does not permit, in column of twos. On reaching an area for the presentation, the colors will half-step while the color guard forms alongside, at which point all members will half-step and the Color Sergeant will order By the right or By the Left, Wheel About, and the formation will wheel about on its axis to face the audience.

When the formation is facing the audience, the MC will announce “Mr. , Would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance” or “Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance;” the Color Sergeant will order, Present, Arms, all flags except the National Ensign will dip, the Color Guards will hand salute and the audience members will render the appropriate salute.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Then the MC will ask someone to lead in the Boy Scout Oath or Law or both “Please join me in the Boy Scout Oath” at which point the Scout flag will be raised to it carry height, approximately 75 – 80 degrees, the U.S. Flag will remain at 90 degrees.

On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

“Post the Colors” (The Color Bearers take one step back and turn appropriately, then take their flag to the appropriate stand (U.S. Flag goes on the speakers right), which will be by the first columns in the sanctuary or as designated in the lunchroom. The color guard will return and fall in, at which point the Color Sergeant will order the Color Guard to fall out.

Color Guard, fall out. (The Color Guard takes their places in the audience as previously reserved.)

Program and Ceremony

Just prior to dismissal from the ceremony, the Colors are retired.

Color Guard, Fall IN.

Color Guard, Attention! (The Color Guard is formed AS with the flags in front; facing the audience, the U.S. flag bearer on its right; the Troop’s flag bearer on the left (these are the Color Bearers) and the Color Guards ( with or without arms) on either side or immediately behind each flag, if there is not enough space.)

Retrieve the Colors (The Color Bearers take one step back and turn appropriately to retrieve their respective flags, then return and fall in)

Ready, Cut. (This order is given by the Color Sergeant, means the Color Bearers hands move to their sides, prepared to hoist the Colors and march.)

Color Guard, Retire the Colors

1. When changing from order colors to carry colors, the command is “Carry, COLORS.”

2. At the Command “Carry,” change the grip on the staff to the “V” grip so as to grip it from the rear between the thumb and fingers of the right hand with the fingers around the staff.

NOTE: All organizational colors will be raised to the carry with the national colors.

4. Seat the lower ferrule in the sling socket. As the ferrule is seated, permit the right hand to slide down the staff to a position directly in front of the color bearer's chin.

5. Color guards armed with rifles execute right and left shoulder arms at the command “COLORS” so that the rifles are on the outboard shoulders as described.

Forward, March (The Colors are marched out of the sanctuary by column of twos, the flags foremost, followed by the color guards.)

When the Color Guard has departed, tell the audience:

Thank you, you are dismissed.