Who is primarily responsible for the actions of the Color Guard?

The Officer of the Deck plays a crucial role in maintaining order and discipline on the ship or at the command. They are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, including the actions of the Color Guard. This means that any protocols and procedures followed by the Color Guard, such as the precision of movements and the correct handling of the colors (flags), fall under the direct supervision of the Officer of the Deck. The Officer of the Deck ensures that the Color Guard performs its duties in accordance with established standards and while adhering to the command's expectations.

In contrast, while the Chief Petty Officer, the messenger of the watch, and the Commanding Officer all have significant responsibilities within the command structure, they do not carry the same level of direct oversight for the specific actions and performance of the Color Guard. The Chief Petty Officer may provide guidance and training, the messenger of the watch has a different role related to communication and information transfer, and the Commanding Officer ultimately holds broad responsibility for the mission and welfare of the unit but is not involved in the day-to-day operational oversight of specific teams like the Color Guard.