772. In line the color guard is in the interval between the inner guides of the right and left center companies.
In line of columns or in close line, the color guard is midway between the right and left center companies and on line with the captains.
In column of companies or platoons the color guard is midway between the color company and the company in rear of the color company and equidistant from the flanks of the column.
In close column the color guard is on the flank of the color company.
In column of squads the color guard is in the column between the color company and the company originally on its left.
When the regiment is formed in line of masses for ceremonies, the color forms on the left of the leading company of the center (right center) battalion. It rejoins the color company when the regiment changes from line of masses. (_C.I.D.R., No. 2._)
773. The color guard when with a battalion that takes the battle formation, joins the regimental reserve, whose commander directs the color guard to join a certain company of the reserve. (_C.I.D.R., No. 2._)
774. The color guard executes neither loadings nor firings; in rendering honors, it executes all movements in the manual; in drill, all movements unless specially excused.
775. The color guard, by command of the senior color sergeant, presents arms on receiving and parting with the color. After parting with the color, the color guard is brought to order arms by command of the senior member who is placed as the right man of the guard.
776. At drills and ceremonies, excepting _escort of the color_, the color, if present, is received by the color company after its formation.
The formation of the color company completed, the captain faces to the front; the color guard, conducted by the senior sergeant, approaches from the front and halts at a distance of 10 paces from the captain, who then faces about, brings the company to the present, faces to the front, salutes, again faces about and brings the company to the order. The color guard comes to the present and order at the command of the captain, and is then marched by the color sergeant directly to its post on the left of the color company.
777. When the battalion is dismissed the color guard escorts the color to the office or quarters of the colonel.
