How long is the call to the color?

• A. Sixty Seconds
• B. Forty Seconds
• C. Twenty Seconds
• D. Thirty Seconds

Answer: (B)

The call to colors is a ceremonial cue that sets the pace for bringing in and posting the flag. It’s timed so the color guard can march in, take their positions, and the colors can be posted smoothly while the unit stands at attention. The standard duration for this call is forty seconds, so that timing best fits the typical sequence of movements and pauses in a color ceremony. Longer or shorter times would throw off the cadence and disrupt the orderly routine, which is why forty seconds is the correct choice.