Guidon (United States)

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In the United States Army, Marines, and Air Force, a guidon is a military standard that company or platoon-sized elements carry to signify their unit designation and corps affiliation. A basic guidon can be rectangular, but sometimes has a triangular portion removed from the fly (known as "swallow-tailed")

1 Components
- 1.1 Army
- 1.2 Marines
2 Significance
3 See also
4 References
- 4.1 External links

[edit] Components

[edit] Army

A United States Army guidon will, at a minimum, contain the following:

Branch insignia, such as the crossed rifle for infantry or crossed pistols for Military Police
Corps Colors, such as light blue for infantry and green for MPs.
Unit designation, with the unit abbreviation (for example, "C Co.") on the top, and the parent unit ("10th Signal Bn") on the bottom.

An optional portion of the guidon is the streamer. These streamers are attached to the top of the guidon pole to signify achievements that the company has accomplished.

Battalions, brigades, divisions and armies can also have guidons, although these more often have full sized colors instead.

[edit] Marines

guidon for Alpha company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines

A Marine guidon is always rectangular, 22 by 28 inches, with a scarlet field and gold lettering, and an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor centered. ^[1] ^[2]

Fleet Marine Forces units have "FMF" emblazoned above the EGA, non infantry and artillery reserve units display "USMCR," while all infantry, artillery, and active units carry a "USMC." The regimental level numeral will be displayed in the lower left corner, unless a higher or lower command numeral provides better identification (for example, a battalion HQ company would display the battalion's numeral instead of the regiment). The company level designation letter, abbreviated title, or number will be in the lower right corner.

No additional attachments are authorized, including streamers, bands, or the like. Some units incorporate additional mascots into unofficial guidons.

[edit] Significance

The significance of the guidon is that it represents the leader of the unit. When the commander is in, his guidon is displayed for everyone to see. When he leaves for the day, the guidon is taken down. It is an honor, although sometimes a dubious one, to be the guidon carrier for a unit. Sometimes he is simply called "guidon", because of this. He stands in front of the unit alongside of the commander (or the commander's representative, such as the first sergeant), and is the rallying point for troops to fall into formation when the order is given. In drill and ceremonies the guidon and commander are always in front of the formation.

The guidon is a great source of pride for the unit, and several military traditions have developed around it, stemming back from ancient times. Should the guidon holder drop the guidon, he must fall with it and perform punishment in the form of push-ups. Other units may attempt to steal the guidon to demoralize or antagonize the unit. Veteran soldiers know not to give up the guidon to anyone outside their unit, but new recruits may be tempted by the Sergeant Major into relinquishing it, especially during a battalion run.

Initial entry training platoons carry colored guidons to signify what phase of training they have attained. The guidon bearer normally stands with the platoon guide when stationary and marches at the head of the column. Although IET guidons may have streamers attached, they are typically undecorated.