The Old Guard
CONTINENTAL COLOR GUARD, HONOR GUARD
MISSION
The United States Army Continental Color Guard’s mission is to showcase the U.S. army’s precision nationally and internationally. With a heritage tracing back to the early days of our nation, the continental Color Guard is the 3d Infantry tradition. Regimental records show that the color sergeants and the drum major of the 3d Infantry Band wore Revolutionary War-style uniforms at Fort Snelling, Minn., in 1922. A contemporary description states that the purpose of the unit was to recall the mind of every member of the 3d Infantry, the long and honorable history of the regiment from a period which followed closely upon the Revolutionary War.
The Continental Color Guard Team serves the same function today. The five-man unit is comprised of two armed Guards and three color ensigns, who carry the National Color, the U.S. Army Color, and the Color of their parent unit, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.”
The uniforms worn by the Color Team are replicas of the 1784-style infantry uniforms worn by The Old Guard’s predecessor, the First American Regiment. The pattern of the uniform for wear by all Continental Army infantry units was approved by General George Washington in 1782. It consisted of a blue coat faced with a red collar, cuffs and lapels, white buttons and lining, long-fitting overalls, and a black cocked hat with cockade.
The Continental Color Guard displays the Colors in numerous parades and ceremonies throughout the years.
A solemn part of any civic of military function, the presentation of the National Color assumes a special patriotic and historic significance when borne by this “The Nation’s Foremost Color Team.”
