Color Guard

Citizens and community organizations can request ceremonial support- such as a color guard, marching units, drill teams, casket teams, firing details, or salute batteries- from the Marine Corps for participation in your event.

The Color Guard is a four-person formation of Color Guard Marines in appropriate military uniform.  They act as a Color Guard, posting and retiring the flag and rendering to it the proper customs and courtesies.  This honored traditional detail adds dignity to any military-related activity while showing respect to our Nation and those who have served it.  During ceremonies, the Color Guard presents the flags of the United States and that of the Marine Corps, and is flanked by two rifle-bearers.  A salute is rendered by dipping the Marine Corps flag while holding the National Ensign high.

Marine Corps Color Guard

Department of Defense policies require that Armed Forces participation in public events will be provided at no additional cost to the Government. The sponsor is required to pay, when necessary, the standard Military Services allowance for quarters and meals for all Armed Forces participants and for other services which have been determined in advance by the Military Services and agreed to by the sponsor. Transportation and meal costs are not usually incurred when support is provided from a local military installation. However, circumstances may dictate that reimbursement for any or all of these costs may be necessary. All costs are binding after a unit, personnel, or exhibit has arrived at an event site, even though weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances force the event to be canceled.

Color Guard Request Procedure

The request for a color guard should be submitted to no less than 30 nor more than 90 days in advance of a scheduled program. Please realize that all Armed Forces units have specific military missions and training requirements. Participation in public programs will only be authorized when such support is in the best interests of the Department of Defense and the Military Services and does not interfere with mission or training programs. In all cases, operational commitments must take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled.

If you would like to support your event with a Marine Corps ceremonial asset, please submit here