The Iowa State Color Guard, which carries the stars and stripes at every major sporting event, provides students with an opportunity to learn important skills and serve their country.

Eric Strasser, junior in management information systems and member of the Army ROTC, said each division of the military has a Color Guard consisting of its ROTC members. Each Color Guard attends different events at ISU, but all of the Color Guards combine forces for big events like Homecoming.

“[Members perform on] a volunteer basis,” Strasser said. “It helps out with leadership and discipline.”

He said interested persons need to be involved in one of the branches of ROTC and have time to practice and attend events.

Strasser said at least six members of the ISU Color Guard usually participate in each appearance. He said they carry the American Flag, the ROTC Leadership of Excellence Flag and the flag of the service or services represented in the Color Guard, such as Army, Navy or Air Force.

Brian Grabenbauer, junior in chemical engineering and commander of the Army ROTC Color Guard, said the guard practices at least once a week for one to two hours.

He said the members practice marching, rifle and flag drills to give their routine a professional look.

As commander, Grabenbauer runs all of the Color Guard practices and decides what skills will be covered throughout the year.

“I enjoy doing it because it teaches discipline and respect and it offers a lot of camaraderie,” Grabenbauer said.

Andrew Rowland, freshman in computer engineering and a member of the Army ROTC, said he was involved in the Junior ROTC program at Hoover High School in Des Moines before coming to ISU.

“I’ve always had a good experience with it in the past,” he said. “It was something that I knew about, and I felt like it was something that I could help out with.”

Strasser said there are many benefits with being involved in the Color Guard and the ROTC program.

“It makes you feel like you’re doing something,” he said. “You also meet a lot of friends, and it looks awesome on a resume.”