What is the guidon and how do I get It?
It contains both general information to help a cadet recruit become acclimated to The Citadel campus and lifestyle and the knowledge requirements fourthclass cadets must memorize. Copies of The Guidon are typically available for purchase in the Bookstore in Mark Clark Hall.
What color is the guidon in the military?
As we know it today, the guidon came to the military in 1834 with the first cavalry units called dragoons. The top half of the Hudson was red, and the bottom half was white with the letters “U.S.” stitched in white. The company letter was stitched in red.
What is the origin of the military guidon?
Today’s guidons used by our military trace their heritage to the small flags used by cavalry units in Europe during the late 1700s and early 1800s. As we know it today, the guidon came to the military in 1834 with the first cavalry units called dragoons.
What is a guidon bearer in the military?
The guidon bearer is usually the senior enlisted member or first sergeant of a unit, and that person generally stands behind three officers. At an appointed time, the guidon bearer hands the guidon to the outgoing commander who presents it to the presiding officer after saying something along the lines of, “Sir/Ma’am, I relinquish command.”
What is the top of an army guidon called?
The Army Spear, also known as guidon spade, is commonly used on guidon staffs or official indoor military flag displays for added flair.
What are the four parts of the guidon?
Marine Corps A Marine guidon is always rectangular, 22 by 28 inches (56 cm × 71 cm), with a scarlet field and gold lettering, and an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor centered.
What is a guidon pole?
Guidon Poles are most often used by military or civilian service units to display their flags outdoors. The poles are a high quality light ash finish hardwood pole complete with brass or chrome fittings – joint, pointed ferrule, army spear and are available in 7', 8.5', and 9' lengths, in 1 5/32” or 1 1/4” diameters.
Is the red of white on top of a Cav guidon?
Originally, cavalry guidons were divided horizontally, red over white, with the letters “U.S.” appearing in white on the red portion and the company letter in red on the white portion. In 1862, regulations were changed so that cavalry guidons were made like national flags, with stars and stripes.
How many parts does the guidon have?
The Guidon consists of three parts: general information that will help a cadet recruit become acclimated to The Citadel campus and lifestyle, required fourth-class knowledge, and practical “how to” tips on life as a knob and selected cadet tasks.
How do you pronounce Guidons?
Pronunciation(General American) enPR: gīʹdən, gīʹdŏn, IPA: /ˈɡaɪdn̩/, /ˈɡaɪdɑn/(Received Pronunciation) IPA: /ˈɡaɪdn̩/, /ˈɡaɪdɒn/
How tall is a guidon pole?
The standard for a guidon stick is exactly 8 ft. Just a heads up. Size: 8 ft. x 1-1/4 in.
Who holds the guidon?
The guidon bearer is usually the senior enlisted member or first sergeant of a unit, and that person generally stands behind three officers.
What is the purpose of a guidon bearer?
The guidon bearer keeps the staff in a vertical position throughout the movements and brings it to carry guidon on the preparatory command for the movement. 5.14. 2. When marching at route step or at ease, the guidon bearer may hold the guidon in either hand at the carry position.
Where do you stand for the guidon?
When the unit is formed, the guidon bearer is one step in front of and two (15-inch) left steps to the right of and facing the person forming the unit (the person forming the unit is facing the unit.) If the first sergeant forms the unit, the guidon bearer steps forward three steps on the command POST.
Who holds the flag during war?
Being a color bearer (aka carrying the flag), was a prestigious and important role in the Army. Not only were you carrying the symbol of what you were fighting for, the flag was any easy mark for soldiers to organize around. When one color-bearer fell, another immediately took his place.
Where did the word guidon come from?
The term "guidon" comes from an old French word, "guy-d'homme", which refers to the flag carried by a cavalry leader. Regimental flags of infantry are known as colours. The RCMP follows the traditions of light cavalry, whose flags are called guidons.
How many steps is the guidon from the formation?
c. When the unit is formed, the guidon bearer is one step in front of and two (15-inch) left steps to the right of and facing the person forming the unit (the person forming the unit is facing the unit.) If the first sergeant forms the unit, the guidon bearer steps forward three steps on the command POST.
Where does the guidon stand in formation?
The guidon bearer holds the guidon in a vertical position and keeps the ferrule (the bottom tip) on the ground beside the right shoe. The guidon bearer holds the staff in the right hand in the "V" formed by the thumb and by the fingers extended and joined.
What side should the guidon be on?
At order guidon (position of attention), keep the ferrule on the marching surface and touching the outside of the right foot, opposite the ball of the right foot. Hold the staff in the right hand in the "U" formed by the fingers (extended and joined pointing downward) and thumb.
What is the history of the guidon?
The word Guidon traces its origin back to the Italian "guidone" meaning 'guide' or 'marker'. The guidon was often endorsed by the religious practice of blessing a banner before it was carried into combat.
What was the first guidon?
The first aviation guidon was authorized in 1916 for use by the 1st Aero Squadron while in service on the Mexican border. Since aviation was part of the Signal Corps, the first Air Force guidon was orange with the Signal Corps crossed flags stitched above an outstretched eagle. These two elements were used for early military aviator badges, and the design was officially announced in a special regulation change to the wartime uniform of WWI. A recommendation in 1919 was to make the Air Force guidon green piped in black with a wing propeller and the letters/numbers of the unit stitched in white. That change was rejected because it was feared the black flag might be associated with “piracy.” As we know it, the yellow eagle in use on Air Force guidons came into being in 1962 and has remained unchanged since.
What is the Marine Corps guidon?
Marine Corps guidons are always rectangular with a scarlet field and gold lettering with an eagle, globe, and anchor centered in the middle. Recruit training units don’t have any branch of service indicated on their guidons. Boot camp platoons only display the platoon number. Fleet Marine Forces units have “FMF” about the Marine Corps emblem.
How many people are in a guidon bearer?
Four people stand in formation, with a guidon bearer at the front. The guidon bearer is usually the senior enlisted member or first sergeant of a unit, and that person generally stands behind three officers. At an appointed time, the guidon bearer hands the guidon to the outgoing commander who presents it to the presiding officer after saying something along the lines of, “Sir/Ma’am, I relinquish command.”
Why are guidons important to the military?
Guidons are an integral part of the military culture, not just because they represent the commander’s presence or were once used as a sight-point on the field. They represent the shared history of our military and our culture.
When did the guidon change?
The shape of the cavalry guidon didn’t change, but the colors were altered to a stars and stripes pattern. This change stayed in place until 1885 when the guidon was changed back to the red over white design.
Who hands the guidon back to the incoming commander?
Then there’s a quick hustle and change of positions and the presiding officer passes the guidon to the incoming commander, who hands it back to the guidon bearer and says something like, “Sir/Ma’am, I accept command.”
When were guidons allowed in the army?
Just one year later, artillery companies were authorized use of guidons. Engineer units were allowed to carry guidons in 1904. Also, in 1904, the Army standardized the design and use of colors and branch insignia. For example, the scarlet background and yellow crossed cannons came to represent artillery, just like the semaphore flags on orange backgrounds represent Signal Corps.
What is a guidon flag?
The guidon is a company/platoon identification flag. It is carried on an 8 foot staff at ceremonies and at other times prescribed by the SNSI/NSI.
Where is the ferrule in order guidon?
at order guidon, the ferrule rests on the deck touching the outside edge of the right shoe close to the little toe. The staff is grasped in the "V" grip with the right elbow close to the side so that the forearm helps to 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 rest of the body is at attention.
What is the difference between a guidon and a heavy cavalry?
As the visitor will see, Guidons (as they are called for Light Cavalry – Hussars and Lancers) are swallow-tailed rather than rectangular (Heavy Cavalry – Dragoon Guards, Dragoons and Household Cavalry – carry a rectangular “Standard”), but like the Infantry Colour, carry Battle Honours and regimental insignia.
Why are there no guidons in the Cavalry?
In 1834 it was decided that Light Cavalry, due to their role as scouts and skirmishers, which led to the regiments operating in detached groups, would not have Guidons, so the Battle Honours were emblazoned on banners mounted on the large kettle drums of the band (the museum has examples of these banners). Rifle regiments, undertaking the same role on foot, also carried no Colours for the same reason and this tradition carries on to the present day.
When were the Guidons granted again?
However, in 1956 this decision was reversed and Guidons were granted again. The museum has those of both the 10th and the 11th Hussars and visitors will see that the insignia and devices of both regiments are incorporated into the Guidon of the amalgamated regiment, The Royal Hussars.
Is the Guidon still in service?
But nothing changes: the Guidon is still the living history of the regiment and still receives the recognition and respect of serving soldiers and those who preceded them.
