Color bars represent the time the individual was served and/or the geographic area. The real medal is kept safe at home, and this is commonly a patch with a purple and white bar. The indicator bars show the soldier's designated unit or mission. Each bar is three inches high and two inches wide. The color scheme for these bars is as follows: Gold for active duty in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Silver for active duty in the reserve components of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Bronze for active duty in the inactive-duty endowment (Ivy) program in the Army and Marines. In addition, there is a bronze star for active duty in any military department during peacetime. These indicators were used to identify units and personnel on official documents such as orders, reports, letters that contained information about the person serving in the military. The colors also indicate how the person was treated by his or her superiors. Gold and silver bars indicated favorable treatment, while a bronze one meant that your career was probably over before it started. These colors are still used today by some organizations when issuing commendations or promoting soldiers.