<P> In the U.S., traditionally, the unit's sergeant major is responsible for the safeguarding, care, and display of the organizational colors . The sergeant major is also responsible for the selection, training, and performance of the members . The color guard consists of enlisted members and is commanded by the senior (color) Sergeant, who carries the National Color and gives the necessary commands for movements and rendering honors during drill exercises or parade ceremonies . </P> <P> Being assigned to the color guard is considered an honor due to the fact that these individuals present and carry the symbols of their unit and country . Depending on the circumstance and subject to the orders of their commander, members may wear full dress or less formal uniforms . It is mandatory for all members of the color guard to wear headgear, for example, a garrison cap, beret, or service cap . On occasion, certain color guards can be horse - mounted . </P> <P> A US color guard is made up of a "Color Sergeant" carrying the National Colors, a unit or command "Color Bearer", and two "Color Escorts". </P> <P> The color guard is formed and marched in one rank at close interval (shoulder - to - shoulder). Since the National Colors must always be in the position of honor on the right, the color guard must execute a special movement to reverse direction . It does not execute rear march, nor does it execute about face . Rather, it performs a maneuver derived from the standard countercolumn command, generally known as counter march or colors reverse march, in order to keep the precedence of flags in order . </P>

Who carries the national colors and commands the color guard