page_title: Colour guard
section_title: Composition of the US colour guard
hierarchical_section_title: Colour guard / Current use / United States / Composition of the US colour guard
caption_attribution_description: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Original caption: CBP Officers [blue uniforms] and Border Patrol Agents [green uniforms] pay tribute to fellow fallen officers during a Law Enforcement memorial service in Washington D.C.
context_page_description: In military organizations, a colour guard is a detachment of soldiers assigned to the protection of regimental colours. This duty is so prestigious that the colour is generally carried by a young officer, while experienced non-commissioned officers are assigned to the protection of the flag. These NCOs, accompanied sometimes by warrant officers, can be ceremonially armed with either sabres or rifles to protect the colour. Colour guards are generally dismounted, but there are also mounted colour guard formations as well.
context_section_description: In the U.S., traditionally, the unit's sergeant major is responsible for the safeguarding, care, and display of the organizational colours. The sergeant major is also responsible for the selection, training, and performance of the members. The colour guard consists of enlisted members and is commanded by the senior (color) Sergeant, who carries the National Colors and gives the necessary commands for movements and rendering honors during drill exercises or parade ceremonies.
  Being assigned to the colour guard is considered an honor due to the fact that these individuals present and carry the symbols of their unit and country. Depending on the circumstance and subject to the orders of their commander, members may wear full dress or less formal uniforms. It is mandatory for all members of the colour guard to wear headgear, for example, a garrison cap, beret, or service cap. On occasion, certain colour guards can be horse-mounted.
  A US colour guard is made up of a "Color Sergeant" carrying the National Colors and serves as the unit commander, a unit or command colour bearer, and two colour escorts carrying rifles and/or sabres. If multiple colours are carried, multiple colour bearers may be needed.
caption: U.S. Customs and Border Protection colour guard
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