Honor guards and color guards represent the military’s highest standards of precision, discipline, and respect during ceremonies, funerals, official events, and public appearances.
These specialized units perform flag presentations, rifle drills, saber arches, casket watches, and color team movements, symbolizing service, sacrifice, and national pride.
While often used interchangeably, honor guards focus on ceremonial duties like funerals and dignitary welcomes, while color guards specifically handle presenting and retiring the national and service colors.
Members come from active duty, reserves, or veterans organizations, undergoing rigorous training in drill, etiquette, uniform standards, and weapon handling.
Participation requires exceptional bearing, attention to detail, and commitment to upholding tradition in high-visibility settings.
In this updated guide for 2026, we explain the roles of honor and color guard units, branch differences, selection and training processes, typical ceremonies, and how these duties contribute to military heritage and public perception.
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Table of Contents
#1. Army Honor / Military Color Guard
The unit responsible for the military honor guard for the Army is The Old Guard, which is the 3rd U.S Infantry.
The Old Guard dates to 1784, and it continues to work to escort the president and handle some security in Washington DC.
Also, the Old Guard is the official ceremonial unit for the Army.
The Old Guard has several platoons.
- Caisson Platoon
- Continental Color Guard
- Fore and Drum Corps
- Presidential Salute Battery
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- S. Army Drill team
Each platoon in the Old Guard has its responsibilities, honors, and traditions. However, they frequently work together during ceremonies.
Army Honor / Color Guard Requirements
If you wish to join The Old Guard, you must meet some requirements.
For instance, males must be between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 4 inches.
Also, the height range for females is 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet 2 inches.
Furthermore, the weight restrictions are the same as other soldiers in the Army.
A candidate must not have any restrictions in place and must on regular active duty and a citizen of the United States.
Also, a Ranger Qualification is desirable in applicants.
If you meet the requirements mentioned above, you can submit your packet to the unit.
The packet includes your request for assignment to The Old Guard, a signature from your chain of command, a statement expressing your understanding that this is a two-year assignment, and several other necessary items.
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#2. Navy Honor / Military Color Guard
The Navy Ceremonial Guard was established in 1931 to represent the navy during public, Navy, Presidential, and Joint Armed Services ceremonies.
The Guard has 200 enlisted members that are handpicked based on high standards.
Those selected attend a 10-week training program.
Also, during this training, members learn to stay motionless, stoic, and maintain military bearing through long ceremonies.
Also, they receive marching and drill training and stay in great physical shape.
After the training, the graduates join a platoon to specialize in the Navy Ceremonial Guard.
Choices include:
- Casket Bearer
- Firing Party
- Color Guard
- Ceremonial Drill Team
Navy Honor / Color Guard Requirements
The process for being a member of the Naval Ceremonial Guard is a long one, and potential members should begin the process of applying up to 15 months in advance of the next guard rotation.
Requirements include males having a height of at least six feet and females at least 5 foot 10 inches.
Also, while contact lenses are fine, glasses are not.
Potential Naval Ceremonial Guard members should be fit enough to handle strenuous marching and standing.
Furthermore, the expectations are having a good military bearing and physical features that show no tattoos, scarring, or acne.
After reviewing past evaluations, an interview and a nomination are necessary to continue with the process.
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#3. Air Force Honor / Military Color Guard
The Air Force Honor Guard represents the Air Force, and it has since the beginning of the Air Force.
There are different flights within the Air Force Honor Guard.
The Colors Flight will have four people, with two being rifle guards and the others protect the colors.
Also, the Body Bearers Flight works with state funerals and carrying the remains of service members and their dependents.
Next, the Firing Party flight performs the firing of the three volleys during funerals.
There is a Training Flight dedicated to training, supporting, and standardizing all Air Force Honor Guards.
Finally, the Drill Team flight shows drills and performs publicly. Also, the Honor Guard Drill Team is well-known throughout the world for its performances.
Air Force Honor / Color Guard Requirements
If you are a brand-new recruit and wish for consideration for the Air Force Honor Guard, talk to your recruiter about applying.
However, if you are already in the Air Force, you can apply if you fulfilled your time-on-station requirement and talk to your commanding officer.
The Air Force Honor Guard looks for candidates with an excellent moral character without posture or other physical issues.
Also, perfect eyesight is ideal, but you can wear contact lenses.
Furthermore, you must not have a fear of firearms or have anxiety issues.
The ability to speak clearly and lift 40 pounds is necessary.
If you are a male, your height should be at least 5 feet 10 inches.
However, if you are a woman, your height should be at least 5 feet and 6 inches tall.
Related Article – Air Force Height & Weight Requirements
#4. Marine Corps Honor / Military Color Guard
The Marine Corps Color Guard has a mission to present the Marine Corps Battle Colors during ceremonies and the National Flag.
There are three different platoons in the Marine Corps Color Guard.
First, there is the Battle Color of the Marine Corps.
This platoon is the only group within the Marine Corps Color Guard to carry the Marine’s Battle Colors.
The Battle Colors include 54 different streamers representing all Marine Corps missions and campaigns.
Next, the Marine Corps Color Guard Platoon does military honors ceremonies all over the United States. Also, this platoon further divides into the Commandant’s Four and three infantry squads.
The Commandant’s Four is the official Color Guard, while the Infantry Marines are keepers of the colors.
Finally, the Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps, established in 1965, carries the National Flag during ceremonies.
While the Marine Corps Color Guard is its own entity, the Marine Corps has two other Corps that fall under the Honor Guard.
The United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps is “The Commandants Own” and is made up of several Marines from marching bands within the Marines.
Also, the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is a 24 person rifle platoon, and it is part of the Honor Guard.
Marine Corps Honor / Color Guard Requirements
The Marine Corps Honor Guard actively recruits Marines in Active Duty.
Also, the Silent Drill Platoon Marines select potential members from the School of Infantry.
Furthermore, the Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps is an appointed position.
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#5. Coast Guard Honor / Military Color Guard
The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard is a unit that performs funerals and other ceremonies in Washington DC and all over the world.
1962 marked the establishment of the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard.
There are 80 members in the Honor Guard, and they perform around 20 ceremonies each week.
Coast Guard Honor / Color Guard Requirements
Like the other military branches, considerable training goes into being a Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard member.
Before training begins, there are some requirements.
Males should be at least 6 feet tall, while females should be 5 feet 8 inches at a minimum.
Members must have a security clearance, as well.
New members are hand-selected from the Training Center, and the current Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard members travel to the training center to help recruit new members.
You can express your desire to be a member of the Honor Guard during training.
The training is rigorous and takes about four weeks to complete.
Related Article – Coast Guard Basic Training Guide
What People Get Wrong About Military Honor & Color Guard Units
Many assume honor guards and color guards are the same thing or that any soldier can volunteer for them casually.
In reality, while color guards focus specifically on flag/ensign handling and presentation, honor guards encompass broader ceremonial roles including pallbearers, sentinels, and escort duties; selection is highly competitive and requires demonstrated excellence in drill, physical fitness, and military bearing.
Another misconception is that these units perform only at funerals or parades.
They support a wide range of events such as change-of-command ceremonies, retirements, official visits by dignitaries, POW/MIA remembrances, wreath-layings at memorials, and public events like sports openings or civic functions, often representing the military to civilians.
People often think participation is easy or low-effort once selected.
Members undergo intensive training in precision drill, manual of arms with rifles or sabers, silent commands, uniform inspection standards, and protocol etiquette; practice can involve hours daily to achieve flawless synchronization, especially for joint-service or 3-5 man color teams.
Some believe only elite units like the Old Guard (3rd Infantry Regiment) perform these duties.
While the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) handles many high-profile Arlington National Cemetery and D.C. ceremonies, every branch maintains base-level, wing, ship, or battalion honor/color guards, and veterans groups like VFW and American Legion also field active color teams for community events.
Finally, a common view is that these assignments carry no additional benefits or impact career progression.
Honor/color guard duty often earns special recognition, coins, certificates, and favorable evaluations that enhance promotion packages; it builds leadership, discipline, and public-facing skills valued in future roles.
Understanding these distinctions highlights the professionalism, tradition, and dedication behind every flawless ceremony.
Conclusion
Before modern warfare, battles happened with soldiers trying to stay in formation and find their units.
Therefore, the color guard carried flats so soldiers could find their place and know where to go.
These days, the military color guard’s existence is traditional and largely ceremonial.
Every branch of the military has its color/honor guard to perform specific duties.
In all cases, joining the honor guard means being of good character and being of the right height.
Also, some branches recruit and hand-select their members while other branches have active-duty members apply for a two-year rotation.
References:
Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.
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