Essay about the Guidon
The significance of the guidon is that it represents the leader of the unit. When the 1SG is in, his guidon is displayed for everyone to see. When he leaves for the day, the guidon is taken down. It supposed to be an honor, although sometimes a dubious one, to be the guidon carrier for a unit. Sometimes he is simply called "guidon", because of this. He stands in front of the unit alongside of the 1SG and is the rallying point for the company to fall into formation when the order is given. In drill and ceremonies the guidon and 1SG are always in front of the formation. The guidon is a great source of pride for the unit, and several military traditions have developed around it, stemming back from ancient times. Should the guidon holder drop the guidon, he must fall with it and perform punishment in the form of push-ups. Other units may attempt to steal the guidon to demoralize or antagonize the unit. A guidon bearer, the soldier within the company who carries the flag, is responsible for bringing it to all formations and executing a number of commands connected to the guidon. Order guidon is the position of attention where the guidon bearer places the ferrule part of the flag, the metal cap at the bottom of the flag, on the marching surface, touching the outside of her right foot across from the ball of that foot. The hand holding the staff is made into the shape of a U, and the staff rests in the hollow of the soldier's shoulder while the right arm rests behind the staff. When the soldier receives the parade command, he moves the forearm of his right arm to a horizontal position while grasping the staff. At the rest command, he thrusts the staff forward as he keeps the ferrule on the marching surface and fully extends his arm. The parade rest command is the combination of both of these actions. The stand at ease command is performed with the same actions as parade rest, except the head and eyes of the soldier is turned in the direction of...