First Step- How to Step Off

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One of the things I really did not like about Basic Training was my TI and/or DI yelling things like, “You look like trees in the wind!” “Stop be-bopping!” But, in Basic, there is not time for the “why” of what does not work. I’m going to explain the “why.”

“Stop be-bopping” is regarding vertical movement when marching and the “trees in the wind” comment has to do with beginning to march from the position of Attention when a flight or platoon leans into the first step because the Drillers know no other way.

I’ll address “be-bopping” in another article, but right now, let’s look at stopping the “trees in the wind.”

When I train others I start from the very beginning:

  1. Standing Manual
  2. First Step
  3. Marching Technique
  4. Etc.

Standing Manual: For more info on the complete honor guard (veteran, military, first responder) Standing Manual, see The Honor Guard Manual.

First Step: This is the isolated term I began using when working with Vanden High School (Fairfield, CA) Marching Band and continued to use when we moved to Germany and I was an instructor with the Spangdahlem Air Base Honor Guard.

I say “isolated” because the military drill world, as a whole, hasn’t considered this one small movement that has so much impact on a Driller, team and performance.

How to train this technique (for stepping off with the left foot- which is what we do in the military):

  1. Stand at Attention using either Method.
  2. Push down with the right heel while you- lift the left foot to bring it forward (see Force picture at right).
  3. Stop when you are on your right platform (ball of the foot across to the little toe) and left heel; your center of balance should be exactly between each foot with your body centered over it (see First Step picture above).
  4. Balance there for a moment (good balance training) to help muscle memory.
  5. Go back to Attention.
  6. Repeat as necessary and then begin this exercise: march a few steps, halt, march a few steps, halt.

Marching Technique: That’s another article!

“Open” or “Closed,” that is the Question

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There is a difference whether you and/or your team stands with the Closed Foot Method or Traditional Method and not just visually.

There are two ways of standing at Attention for the American military, drill teams and honor guards when referring to the position of the feet (the star is the center of balance):

Closed-Foot Method
Heels and toes together
Military Honor Guard Standard

Traditional Method

Which position is better?
The Closed-Foot Method creates a clean line and helps the honor guard member to balance all of their weight on the whole of both feet and bring the center of balance (the star) centered between the feet.

The Traditional Method, places more pressure on the heels and up through the spine. Subsequently, standing for longer periods can become quite difficult/painful.

When I teach, I show the difference between the two stances to each trainee from the side: stand using the Traditional Method and then, without moving your upper body, move to the Closed-Foot Method. As your center of gravity moves forward, those observing will see your upper body shift forward about two inches! Much more comfortable than an aching spine.

“Unarmed” Colors

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“Unarmed Color Team” is a term used for competitions and is due to the category: If the drill team is unarmed, then the color team is “unarmed.” If the drill team is armed then the color team is armed.

Having said that, there is no such thing as an unarmed color team. Here at Drillmaster, we differentiate terms: Color Team = Military and Color Guard = Marching Band/Winter Guard.

A color team is made up, at a minimum of four members:

  1. Right/Lead Guard
  2. National Color Bearer
  3. Service/Organizational Color Bearer
  4. Left/Trail Guard

Color Bearers, bear colors; flags. The guards are armed with a holstered handgun or they carry a rifle, ceremonial fire axe or ceremonial pike pole. They are color guards and guards are traditionally armed. There isn’t a single military drill manual that says anything about unarmed guards*. Never use swords, though. Pointy objects and flags do not mix!

*There is a tradition of certain chaplains requiring a color team to be unarmed (and subsequently the team does not wear its covers/hats) but only inside the church. Some chaplains do not mind- make sure you check with the chaplain for that specific service. Any other time, be armed!

This is not a proper color team:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZIq4CcRzbc

“Your uniform makes me uncomfortable.”

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Presenting the church’s flag on Memorial Day

I was actually told that (the title of this article) just before the 2012 Joint Service Drill Competition where I was a guest judge. I’m, fairly sure the individual who approached me was on one of the service honor guards and his comment was most likely out of fear and a bit of elitism. When he told me that, I introduced myself and explained to him who I was and what I was doing there. It appeared as though I was not able to alleviate his fears, since he just walked away from me without a reply, which is unfortunate.

I seem to be threatening to some people, for some strange reason. This question comes from a poor attitude which reflects negatively on the organization and that is a bad thing.

The Presidential Honor Guards are top-notch organizations, but they are not super-human or “The best of the best of the best, with honors” (a Men in Black movie reference). Each service’s honor guard is filled with some great people who are trained to do their best 24-7 without flinching and they are awesome at what hey do. The units also happen to be filled with human beings who are fallible. Bad stuff happens and the not-so-perfect nature of people rears its head every once in a while. Unfortunately, ego also sees the light of day. Obviously, the service honor guards are not the only units to have fallible people. Still, the honor guards are as close to perfection for the military drill world as one can get. I have great respect for anyone and everyone who is with an honor guard unit. While the Presidential units are in the limelight, there are teams who perform just as excellent a job for a fallen law enforcement officer, firefighter or the even the homeless veteran without a next of kin in a small, out-of-the-way portion of the cemetery.

As honor guard members, we are trained to do a certain job to the best of our ability with what we have to work with. Support and camaraderie are what are called for, not belittling.

The DrillMaster Uniform
I created my uniform in 2010. I call it my DrillMaster Ceremonial Uniform. I served twenty years in the US Air Force, fourteen of which I spent in the Base Honor Guard system in the US, Okinawa, Japan and in Europe and an additional three years after retiring on the Spangdahlem Air Base Honor Guard while my wife was active duty. I have a DD214 to back up my USAF awards. I will never wear rank.

I wear my USAF accouterments and my one Army marksmanship badge that I earned at what used to be called Basic Camp, that was for first-year college cadets at Ft. Knox, Kentucky when I was attending New Mexico Military Institute.

The uniform itself is a firefighter’s (or police officer’s) single-breasted uniform which I obtained through Steve Cohen, the president of the Lighthouse Uniform Company. The buttons are gold-colored, my cover is made for first responders with gold-colored buttons (from paradestore.com). Added to the uniform sleeves and trousers are gold stripes (from Lighthouse) which are the same type and location as the AF Honor Guard uniform stripes, and a gold aiguillette (shoulder cord with single cord and shaker knot) from Glendale (paradestore.com).

My shoes are patent leather (Corfam) with leather soles (the best for drilling) and with an layer added to the soles. I used to wear three sets of taps: horseshoe on the heel, number 10 on the toe and side heel taps or “cheaters”/”clickers” on the inside heel and now just have the cheaters.

Why a Special Uniform?
Because I cannot and will not wear my Air Force uniform since that may be construed as an endorsement and since The DrillMaster is a business, that would not be ethical. I needed a uniform for the unique job that I do: the ceremonial, class B and utility uniforms are for those occasions requiring such uniforms: formal training sessions and ceremonies.

Let’s work together and stop the “us’ and “them” thinking.

The Makeup of a Color Team

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Color Team =  Military
Color Guard = Marching Band/Winter Guard

How many members are supposed to be on a color team?

Four, minimum. Why? Because each color team represents a military service and the service’s flag is always carried with it to the marching left of of the American flag. Below, is the Marine Color Team at 8th and I, the HQ for the Marine Corps’ Presidential Honor Guard. A four-man team is the standard.

 

What about this picture below?

This picture is of former President Ronald Reagan’s funeral. Since the President and others who serve in high offices in American government are not part of a military service, they receive a three-man color team.

Can there be more than four members?

Yes, see the top picture? That is the US Joint Service Color Team representing all of the American military’s five services (in joint service order): Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

I do not recommend having more than eight members since movement can get a bit tricky. If you have more members of your color team, adding (in order of appearance) police, fire, and EMS, for example, I suggest you have two teams.

The History of the Challenge Coin

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Challenge coins surfaced during the WWII era. The practice of carrying a coin designed specifically for a military unit was popular with the Army Special Forces. Carrying the coin at all times and presenting it when “challenged” to prove affiliation with that unit resulted in a number of consequences for those who could not produce a coin; the most popular consequence required the coin-less soldier to buy a round of drinks. That practice continues to be popular today. (Courtesy of Symbol Arts)

As a matter of fact, today, if someone accidentally drops their coin while in the club, if everyone shows their coin, the one who dropped or initially challenged has to buy the drinks.

My coin rack with my New Mexico Military Institute Regimental photo- I’m the Regimental Drum Major.

The French Dukes!

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Together again, after 30 years!

The Dukes never lost a competition. They performed in front of President Richard Nixon — twice. They were invited to perform on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” And they performed in parades and in front of countless crowds across the country. Read more here. And this video is a must see! This story is so cool!

 

The Best Rifle with which to Start Drilling

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Seriously, the best rifle to start drilling with at home would be the one that is the least expensive and would help you learn how to drill. You could then progress from there.

What rifle is best to start out?
The DrillMaster iDrill M1 or M1903 Rifle. Why? Because it costs less than $10 to make. Go to the Downloads page to download the patterns.

But it’s only about 2lbs.
If you like drilling and prefer the rifle your school uses, then save your money and buy a Daisy M1903 Drill Rifle, or Glendale DrillAmerica M1 or M1903. In the end, you experimented with a rifle that cost you your time to make it and a few bucks.

There are some great choices out there and you can start small and work up to a fully-weighted replica or even a demil’d (demilitarized) rifle.

See these links for more info: Psst, Hey Buddy, Armed Driller Alternatives

The American Flag and the 2012 Olympics

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The last time the Olympics were held in London, England an international issue arose because the American flag was not dipped to the Queen. You can read about it here.

Before this incident, national flags were practically laid on the ground due to a certain individual. Since the incident, the American flag code was changed to read that the American flag will not dip to anyone. Period.

This search term landed on my web site overnight, “America show respect to queen at Olympics dip flag.” As a matter of fact I’ve received several search terms wondering if the American flag will be dipped in 2012. The country of origin for the search was Great Britain. I really am holding back as I write this article, I do not want to turn this into a political rant or be overtly offensive to anyone, but trust me, it’s difficult.

Dear Britain and other countries who practically wipe the ground with their national color when a “royal” is near, by all means go right ahead and do whatever it is you do. As Ricky Bobby might say, ‘This is Amurica.’ And the American way, since the early 1900s, according to Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 § 8, has been “No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.”

Why is this a big deal? For 100 years or so, the answer has been, no, the flag will not be dipped in any Olympics, 2012 or other. May all athletes have a super time during the 2012 Olympic Games because that’s what it’s all about; the games on the field, not the games in the stands and back rooms.