The most visible arm of the Knights of Columbus is the
Color Corps of the Fourth Degree.
Our formal dress is:
Navy Blue Blazer with Fourth Degree Emblem Blazer Crest
Knights of Columbus Emblem of the Order buttons
Official Fourth Degree Gray trousers (no cuffs)
Official Fourth Degree Necktie
Official Fourth Degree Black Beret with Fourth Degree
metal badge over appropriate colored patch of the office, as described in Section 38(c)
Plain White Dress Shirt – Button cuff (no French cuffs – no button down collar shirts)
Black Socks and Plain Black Shoes
Official Fourth Degree Lapel Pin (#PG-113)
Incumbent Medal of Office
Past and Former Miniature Medals above left pocket
Many have seen Color Corps at liturgical affairs, civic affairs,
and Knights of Columbus affairs, indicating the importance of
the event or the principal attendee.
The video below describes the good works of being part of
the Knights of Columbus.
Each Fourth Degree Assembly forms a Color Corps under the
direction of the Assembly’s Color Corps Commander and provides
Honor Guards for Wakes for members, First Holy Communions,
Confirmations, and the installations of Council and Assembly
officers.
For major events within a Fourth Degree District, the
Assembly Color Corps unite under the direction of the
District Marshal.
The Corps basically follows a naval theme with ranks and
insignia. Note that the chapeaux, which are never called hats,
are similar to the old naval uniforms.
Cape colors are an indication of rank as follows:
Supreme Master, wears a barret with a
Dark Blue patch.
Vice Supreme Master, in charge of a Province, wears a barret with a
Light Blue patch.
Master, in charge of a District, wears a barret with a
Gold patch.
District Marshal (District level Color Corps Commander) wears a barret with a
Green patch.
Faithful Navigator, in charge of an Assembly, wears a barret with a
White patch.
Color Corps Commander wears a barret with a
Purple patch.
Other Color Corps Members wears a barret with no patch.
Former Vice Supreme Masters, Former Masters, and Past
Faithful Navigators are all permitted to wear their
respective capes and chapeaux when they finish
their term of office. Marshals and Commanders wear
the distinctive colors only while serving in that Function.
All Fourth Degree Sir Knights of Columbus are encouraged
to join their Assembly’s Color Corps. Joining is easy
and no prior military experience is required, and it
is not expensive. If you are presently a member of
the Fourth Degree and would be interested in joining
the Color Corps contact our Faithful Navigator or
our Color Corps Commander.