Guidon

[Masterone]

Hey guys, im not going to bother with the reasons, ill just go straight to the question. As a Guidon Bearer, how am i to move with the squadron while in drill, for the flanking movements? The manual tells about columns and turns( also if someone could clarify if there is a major difference between Turns and Columns) and even with that if someone could give a little more clear definition on how i am to move with those too.

[coudano]

technically, as a guidon bearer, you should be marching with a squadron in mass formation.

that said, a lot of CAP encampments (and indeed USAF BMT) implement the guidon bearer in flights.
when implemented this way, the guide becomes the guidon bearer,
but 36-2203 doesn't really specify rules as to how to march.  one would use common sense though I would think.


That said, the GUIDE (which should /always/ form up with every "flight" whether they are carrying a guidon or not) has some specific rules
They are outlined in AFMAN 36-2203 Section 4.2
(answer to your question is bolded)

4.2. Rules for the Guide:

4.2.1. The guide sets the direction and cadence of the march. The guide of the leading flight of a
squadron marching in column sets the direction and cadence of march for the squadron.

4.2.2. When a flight in line is commanded to face to the right, the guide executes right face with the flight. The guide then performs a face in marching to the right, marches to a position in front of the right file, halts, and executes a left face.

4.2.3. When a flight marching in column is commanded to flank to the left or right or march to the rear,
the guide executes the movement. The relative position of the guide does not change within the flight
except when the flight is halted in line in such a manner that the guide is not abreast of the front rank.
The guide then moves to a position abreast of the front rank.

4.2.4. Unless otherwise announced, the position of the guide within a flight, in line or in column,
marching or halted, is right. When it is desired to change the base for a movement, the new position of
the guide is assigned preceding the preparatory command for the movement. The dress is always to the
base element.

4.2.5. When the flight is in  column and it is desired to position the guide to the left, the command
GUIDE LEFT is given. On this command, the guide and flight commander exchange positions by
passing right shoulder to right shoulder. To return the guide to the normal position, GUIDE RIGHT is
given. The guide and flight commander return to their normal positions by again passing right shoulder
to right shoulder. The movement can be made either at a halt or while marching.

4.2.6. Normally, the flight is marched with the element leaders and the guide at the head of the column.

So basically you flank with them,
and retain your position relative to the 4th (last) element.

Until you halt in line formation, at which time you move back up to beside the 1st element leader.

[coudano]

The interesting point about what the guide does, when a flight does a column right/left is here:

4.11.1.5. The guide performs the pivots and steps exactly as the fourth element leader. Following
completion of the pivots, the guide continues in a 24-inch step until he or she is ahead of the fourth
element leader. The guide pivots 45 degrees to a position in front of the fourth element leader; then he or
she pivots 45 degrees again toward the front and begins half stepping.

So that's fairly explanatory,
but essentially you do exactly what the 4th (or right-most) element leader does, at the same time that they do it (this throws you, the guide, out of alignment temporarily)

Then when the element leader takes up the half step (you will probably be beside the element leader at this point if you did a 90 degree column)

you keep going at full steps (which will shoot you out past the element leader because he is at halfsteps)
and do a 45, and another 45 to get back in front of the element leader.


It sort of looks like close or extend march, while marching.


However, one trick you have to remember is to stay at full steps while everyone else is at half steps,
your CADENCE doesn't change.  You are still marching at quick time, and need to still stay in step with everyone else.   A common mistake for the guide to make is to basically "run" into position, and unfortunately winds up getting out of step in the process.


Another oddity, is that on a column left, dress is to the LEFT until forward march is given...
so if the guide misses his target and doesn't make it directly in front of the element leader,
then things get kind of jacked up.

In BMT (in practice) they tell the element leader to whisper a guidance to the guide to help them line up.
That's technically wrong, but if you ask an MTI, they'll probably tell you that it's done.

Once forward march is called, dress shifts back to the right, and everyone should establish DCID off the guide again (this is the 'correct' answer)




Same thing applies to a column half right/left, but the guide will wind up a step to the side and a step forward of the element leader.  So he just needs to do the 45/45 to get over, taking full steps while the element leaders are still at half steps before they step off at full steps again (it all happens much faster, and more confusing)

4.12.2. The flight commander and guide pivot 45 degrees in the direction of the movement. Then they
pivot 45 degrees back to their original positions in front of the column

Of course if you really /are/ talking about squadrons in mass, then everything truly changes.
But you (probably) aren't.   So