Our company has been in business for 17 years; during this
time we have encountered numerous situations that at times have made the
production process a great ordeal. In our experience a customer needs a guidon
because someone took the old one maybe the outgoing commander wants to take the
guidon for sentimental reasons or the most common reason is that the Battalion,
Brigade or Division is having a very important ceremony and they want every
single company to have a new guidon. We have to deal with many issues from our
customers but I would like to concentrate on the two main problems. First we
get the order for the guidon or flag days sometimes hours before a critical
deadline that our customer wants to meet. In this situation we understand that
sometimes the last person to know is the credit card holder, supply sgt or S4
clerk and we do everything in our power to meet the customer needs. The other
common problem is that when the customer received the guidon or flag, they call
us and tell us “The Guidon (Flag) doesn’t look anything like the one we have.
We take great pride in making our guidons and flags and we strive to make sure
that everything is done in accordance with AR 840-10 for the Army, AFI 84-105
for the Air Force and MCO P10520.3B for the USMC.
I have to honestly say that the guidon or flag you have in
your possession right know might not be correct or in accordance to the
regulations. Let me state some examples.
Army
In AR840-10
6-3 Prohibitions (e) The only authorized abbreviation to
denote the Headquarters element on guidons is “HQ”. All other abbreviations
such as “HHC” or “HQS” are unauthorized. This includes HHD or HHB
We would venture to say that most guidons out there have
HHC, HHB or HHD.
6-4 Description Letters and numerals will READ FROM LEFT TO
RIGHT ON EACH SIDE OF THE GUIDON.
According to the regulation it should look like this.
With most Customers their guidons look like this
The Battalion number on the same side as the pole sleeve.
6-4 The letters and numbers on guidons are 3 ½ inches high
unless otherwise indicated.
6-12 The battalion/squadron numerals are 2 5/8 inches high.
A very common question we have is also why our guidon/flag
is a different in color than the one we received, please take in consideration
color fading due to the sun and time. We will do all guidons in their
respective branch color.
There is a Difference between ORDANCE and Maintenance. For a
guidon ORDNACE (EOD) Guidon is Crimson with Gold Letters and Numerals.
Maintenance Company Guidon is Crimson with Light blue Letters and Numerals
(AR840-10 Table 6-2).
