ALERT Cadet Flag, Unit Flags, and Squad Guidons Bulletin

ALERT Cadet Flag, Unit Flags, and Squad Guidons
ALERT Cadet Flag
The purpose of the ALERT Cadet flag is to identify the fathers and sons in your unit as being
active members of the ALERT Cadet program. The ALERT Cadet flag is bold, colorful, and
attractive, and it provides an
appropriate backdrop for photographs
and presentations. It is appropriate to
be carried in local parades, posted at
book fairs or similar events, and used
in ALERT Cadet meetings. The 3 feet
by 5 feet ALERT Cadet flag is
available for purchase from ALERT
Cadet Headquarters
The pole for the ALERT Cadet flag is
made of wood or metal and measures
8 feet long and 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches in
diameter. A metal spearhead or other
appropriate symbol can be used as a
“finial” or pole ornament.
The ALERT Cadet flag should never touch the ground and should be treated with respect. It
should be replaced when it is no longer serviceable. The ALERT Cadet flag should never be
held when running. If there is ever a need for the unit to run, the ALERT Cadet flag should
be posted in a secure location.
Unit Flags
Each ALERT Cadet unit or single squad
can design, produce, and display an
ALERT Cadet unit flag. The unit flag bears
witness to the unit’s achievements and
serves to give personality to a unit. It helps
the members of the unit find each other and
stay together in a large group setting,
creating orderliness and giving a sense of
unity. It also gives the unit a rallying point
for marching and when taking part in
contests.
ALERT Cadet unit flags should be 3 feet by 5 feet in size. Unlike the ALERT Cadet flag or
squad guidons, unit flags are custom-made by each unit. The only design requirements are
that the flag be 3 feet by 5 feet in size and have the unit’s designation on it (e.g., Malaysia
1st Alpha). The rest of the design is left up to the individual unit, but it should honor God.
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The pole for unit flags is made of wood or metal and measure 8 feet long and 1 ¼ to 1 ½
inches in diameter. A metal “finial” is used to decorate the end of the pole.
An ALERT Cadet unit flag should
never touch the ground and must
always be treated with respect. As
with the ALERT Cadet flag, the unit
flag should be replaced when it is no
longer serviceable. The unit flag
should never be held when running.
If there is ever a need for the unit to
run, the unit flag should be posted in
a secure location.
Squad Guidons
ALERT Cadet squad guidons measure 18 inches by 30 inches and are constructed of forest
green nylon fabric, with a ¾ inch green border. The 8-inch white squad number is centered
on the guidon. The guidon pole should be made of wood or metal and measure 7 feet long
and 1 ¼ inches in diameter. Squad guidons normally have either no finial or a simple ball
at the end of the pole.
The squad guidon should never be allowed to touch
the ground or be treated disrespectfully in any way. It
should not be written on or modified. The guidon may
be carried diagonally across the chest with both
hands while running, if necessary. The guidon should
remain in service as long as it is in good repair.
Squad guidons, with squad numbers 1-10, are
available for purchase from ALERT Cadet
Headquarters.
Poles
Units may either manufacture poles from materials
purchased at a hardware store or purchase them in
finished format from many flag supply companies.
The ALERT Cadet flag was produced by Carrot-Top
Industries, (www.carrot-top.com), as an example.
All diameters given are approximate and are not critical to the construction of the flags.
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Guidelines to Make an ALERT Cadet Unit Flag
Step 1: Select a design for the flag
The standards for an ALERT Cadet unit flag are:
• 3 feet by 5 feet finished design
• Horizontal design
• The tasteful design should reflect the unit’s achievements, characteristics, or
geographic location.
• Letters on the flag must indicate the ALERT Cadet unit designation (e.g.,
Malaysia 1st Alpha)
You may want to hold a contest to come up with the favorite flag design for your unit.
Step 2: Plan the flag
Decide if you want it to be one-sided or two-sided.
• One-sided flags are less expensive to make, but they can only be viewed on one
side.
• Two-sided flags will double the expense of the design fabrics, most supplies, and
time. The design should be the same on both sides.
Decide what materials you want to use for the flag.
• Felt can be used to make letters and design components, but felt is not weatherresistant.
• Canvas is a sturdy flag background, but it is extremely heavy, and it is difficult to
pin and sew.
• Cotton-poly “twill” fabric is an inexpensive option for the background.
• Nylon and “flag fabric” is available in many colors, is fairly weather-resistant, and
is easy to sew, but it may be translucent. If you decide to make a two-sided flag
constructed of nylon or “flag fabric”, you will probably need to add an inner layer
of white nylon cloth to prevent the designs from showing through on the other
side.
• Any fabric other than felt will probably require finished edges for each letter and
design component to prevent fraying of the fabric.
• Avoid stretchy or knit fabrics, as these will not maintain their shape.
• Be aware that dark or bright colors could, and probably will, “bleed” or fade onto
surrounding colors. Wash these fabrics well to “set the color” before you cut
them.
Plan the layout of the flag.
• Consider the size of the main design.
• Plan how you will overlap or layer design components.
• Determine how many letters you will use, their size, and placement.
• Determine how you will affix the design components to the flag background
(sewing or gluing).
• You may want to design the flag using a software program such as “Photo Shop”
or “Publisher.” This will make edits easier to perform and then share the
suggested design for approval with the unit.
• Plan how you want to attach the flag to the pole. Two methods are:
• Side “pole pocket” – on the left side of the flag, approx. 2 inches in diameter
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• Using metal grommets on the flag and hooks on the pole.
Decide what you will use for a border or edge binding, if desired.
Decide if you will add fringe to the edge of the flag. The ALERT Cadet flag does
not have fringe, but you may add fringe to your unit flag.
Step 3: Enlarge, copy, and color the design.
Take a copy of your unit’s design to a local copy shop and enlarge the design. Repeat the
enlargement until you get it to the actual size you want it to be on your flag. You may have
to produce the design in pieces and then tape the pieces together to form a full-size flag
“pattern.”
Make 3 black and white copies of the design at the enlarged size.
Color one copy of the black and white design and use it as the “master pattern” for
reference.
Step 4: Buy the fabric and supplies.
You will need background fabric (or fabrics), fabric for the components of the design, and for
the lettering. The completed flag must be 3 feet by 5 feet, so choose fabric wide enough to
allow seamless construction of the background. Many fabrics come in a 60 inches (5 feet) in
width, so you could buy a 3 feet section and end up with an approximately 3 feet by 5 feet
flag. Don’t forget to make the background slightly larger than the desired finished size so
you have fabric for the edge seam!
If you are making a two-sided flag, remember that you will need two sets of everything:
background, design components, and letters.
Select fabric for the components of the design and for the letters. Consider using felt if you
are not making a flag for outdoor use.
Purchase thread to match the background fabric, the letters, and any design components
you will sew. Sewing each element of the flag together will create a long-lasting flag, but it
will take more time and skill.
Purchase fabric glue or other adhesive if you are not planning to sew the design on the
background.
Purchase iron-on adhesive backing with plastic that can be peeled-off, if desired. You can
also purchase adhesive sprays for fabric to make temporary bonds. Apply these according
to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Purchase sewing machine needles appropriate for the fabric you chose. Heavy cloth will
require stiffer and larger needles.
Purchase sewing pins if you plan to pin the design components and letters on the
background.
Purchase grommets and a grommet tool, if desired, to mount your flag on the pole.
Step 5: Cut out the pieces.
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Take one of the paper “patterns” and cut the design and letters into the component pieces.
Refer to the colored paper “master” for the design.
If you are making a two-sided flag, remember that you will need two sets of everything:
background, design components, and letters.
If you use felt or any non-woven fabric, you will not need to allow any seam allowance to
finish the edges of the letters or design components. If, however, you have selected fabric
that frays, you will need to turn the exposed raw edges under and zigzag, serge, or apply
“Fray-Check” to each cut edge.
Pin the paper pattern pieces on the various fabrics.
Cut out the individual pieces and store them in plastic bags or file folders for easy use.
Step 6: Apply adhesive backing to the individual fabric pieces, if desired.
Follow each manufacturer’s instructions for iron-on or spray adhesive.
Step 7: Position the design on the background.
Iron the flag background so you have a flat, even surface to work with. Lay the fabric design
components on the flag background. Move them around until you are pleased with the final
“look” of the design. Remember to plan for the “pole pocket” or edge binding.
Pin the fabric pieces to the background or remove the backing from the adhesive and affix
them to the background.
Step 8: Affix the design components to the background.
Sew or glue each design component to the flag background. For overlapping components,
sew or glue each part individually.
Step 9: Finish the flag.
For a one-sided flag:
• Sew a binding or border on all four sides of the flag.
• Make sure you have enough border to accommodate the grommets.
• Attach the grommets on the left side of the flag, near the top and bottom.
For a one-sided flag with “pole pocket”:
• Measure approximately 6 inches from the left side seam for the “pole pocket” and
pin this in place.
• Try sliding the flagpole in the pole pocket; it should slide easily. Adjust the width
of the pole pocket as necessary to get a snug fit over the pole.
• Topstitch the turned-under seam allowance on the front and back of the pole
pocket only.
• Stitch the flag by hand or machine from the bottom of the flag to the top, making
sure you leave the pole pocket open.
For a two-sided flag:
• Align the two faces of the flag, wrong sides facing each other.
• Sew on three sides (the two sides and the top of the flag).
• Back-tack the beginning and the end of the seam.
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Trim the corners, turn the flag right side out, and press the seams in place.
For a two-sided flag with “pole pocket”:
• Fold the fabric under (5/8”, or whatever seam allowance you used) along the
bottoms of the two flag part.
• Measure approximately 6 inches from the left side seam for the “pole pocket” and
pin this in place.
• Try sliding the flagpole in the pole pocket; it should slide easily. Adjust the width
of the pole pocket as necessary to get a snug fit over the pole.
• Topstitch the turned-under seam allowance on the front and back of the pole
pocket only.
• Pin the flag faces together on the bottom from the pole pocket to the other side
seam.
• Stitch by hand or machine around the entire flag, making sure you leave the pole
pocket open.
For a two-sided flag with grommets:
• Fold the fabric under (5/8”, or whatever seam allowance you used) along the
bottoms of the two flag parts.
• Pin the flag faces together, making seam allowances.
• Stitch by hand or machine.
• Apply two grommets on the left side of the flag, near the upper and lower
corners.
Step 10: Attach the unit flag to the flagpole.
For a flag with grommets:
• Insert a small cup hook or eye screw to the flagpole where the upper grommet
should attach.
• Turn the cup hook or eye screw horizontally and place the grommet over the
hook.
• Use a plastic tie through the lower grommet and around the flagpole to secure
the bottom of the flag to the flagpole.
For a flag with pole pocket:
• Insert the top end of the flagpole in the lower end of the pole pocket.
• Slide the flagpole into the pocket.
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Flagpoles, Finials, and Stands
Purchased:
Standard flagpoles for indoor use are made of wood and are 8 feet long and 1 ¼ to 1 ½
inches in diameter. They come in two pieces with a metal screw fastener in the middle. This
feature allows for easier storage of the pole. Each flagpole is topped with a metal ornament,
called a “finial”. This type of flagpole can cost between $50 and $150. The price for metal
finials ranges from $20 to $50 each. Metal flagpole stands cost approximately $45.
Home built:
Less expensive alternatives for poles include:
• Cedar closet poles
• Aluminum television antennas, cut to 8 feet lengths
• Aluminum tubing
• PVC pipes
Less expensive alternatives for finials include:
• Wooden balls, stained or painted to match the pole
Less expensive alternatives for stands are described below.
How to Make a Flag Stand
Wooden:
• Cut one 4 inch x 4 inch square, one 6 inch x 6 inch square, and one 10 inch x 10
inch square of wood from ¾ to 1 inch thick board.
• Cut an 8-inch length of 1 ½ inch inside diameter PVC pipe. The inside diameter of
the pipe should closely match the diameter of your flagpole.
• Make a round hole in the center of each square of sufficient diameter to accept the
PVC pipe.
• Screw the 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 squares on top of each other, aligning the center holes.
• Screw the 6 x 6 square on top of the 10 x 10 square, keeping the center holes
aligned.
• Sand, stain, varnish, or paint the pieces.
• Insert the PVC pipe through the hole in the wooden squares until the bottom edges
are even.
• Insert the lower end of the flagpole in the PVC pipe to hold the flag.
PVC Pipe In a Can/Bucket:
• Cut the top off an empty can, 8-12 inches in diameter and 8-12 inches in height.
• Cut a 12 inch length of 1 ½ inch inside diameter PVC pipe. Make sure your flagpole
will fit inside this pipe.
• Mix Plaster of Paris according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Hold the PVC pipe vertically in the can flush against the bottom.
• Pour the plaster into the can holding the pipe upright in the center; keep the plaster
from getting into the pipe.
• Let the plaster set according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• Decorate the can or hide it with silk plants.
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