The First Certified Pathfinder Drill Specialists!

DrillMasterAnnouncements, Drill Teams Leave a Comment

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church has a wonderful youth program called Pathfinders to instill discipline, hard work, teamwork, and a whole host of other positive attributes, all while honoring our Lord and Savior. There are three marching parts of the Pathfinder program: Drill Team, Honor Guard (includes color guard), and Drum Corps (a percussion section). In early 2017, Leanna …

When Calling Commands, where does the commander face?

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional Leave a Comment

When Calling Commands, where does the commander face? (ROTC, JROTC) Those of us who have worked with Army units have had it drilled into our heads that you MUST face your platoon when giving commands during regulation drill. This necessitates a face-in-march or even marching backwards at times. Here is the excerpt from T.C. 3-21.5: 3-1 “a. When at the …

What does the Drill Team Commander do?

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional Leave a Comment

What does the Drill Team Commander do? Excellent question! Here is the answer: Regulation Drill Feeling a little Canadian? The team commander stands in one spot and calls commands. The only movements the commander makes is facing the team as they move around the drill area. This may seem strange to Americans, but it is understandable (judging the team as …

#drillface

“As I was!”

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

“As I was”? Stop talking to yourself, talk to your platoon/flight. What does “as I was” mean? Nothing. The term is “As you were.” Here is some info for you from AFM 36-2203, Drill and Ceremonies, which you can download here: Use the command AS YOU WERE to revoke a preparatory command. After the command of execution has been given …

Routine Mapping Tool Sample

How to Write Drill

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Instructional 1 Comment

Drill is not boring, unless you do the same thing over and over or you execute very simple moves with “dead” time in between. How can drill be “exciting”? Variation. Variation of: Hand, arm, leg and head movements Body movement Step style Tempo You can get a sample of some drill movements in Exhibition Drill For The Military Drill Team. …

DrillMaster Offers Certifications

DrillMasterAnnouncements, Color Guard/Color Team, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional, Judging 5 Comments

The DrillMaster offers the only trainer, instructor, coach and adjudicator certification program for the Military Drill World. With each certification you then have the knowledge necessary to start creating a foundation of education for those you train. You can build on my knowledge and experience and go further! This is an overview, please contact me to find out complete details. …

Honor Guard Gloves

All About Uniform Gloves

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 3 Comments

White Gloves I constantly see pictures of cadets, Active Duty, Reserve and Guard, and first responder teams wearing gloves that look terrible. Whether its the “Flag Bearer Gloves” (at right) or the dress gloves with a snap or no snap, they all are either (loose) or a bad idea (look almost “industrial”). The picture at right is a bit misleading …

“Military Flavor”

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Instructional 2 Comments

‘Our drill team does a Stomp routine for our program this year.’ ‘Our drill team does cheer-like movements and we sing/chant throughout our routine.’ What is “Military Flavor” This is a term that we cannot define so that it is crystal clear. We can define it, but it is more of a subjective term. Military flavor is a “uniform.” Why …

How to Shape and Fold a Beret

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

How do you shape a beret? First: Cut out the lining. Second: Cut the cardboard so that it is just a small arch about 2 or 3 inches across the bottom so that whatever device you wear fits nicely. Third: Put on your beret and make sure it (the leather band around the bottom) is as parallel to the ground …

To Fringe or Not to Fringe, That is the Question

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional 7 Comments

I originally wrote this in December of 2017. This update, December of 2023, includes links to other articles to help fully explain the issues. Please read about the difference between a flag and a color. According to the US Army, fringe is an honorable enrichment only, not an integral part of the color. As it is attached on the edge, …