Each year around the end of February and the beginning of March, each of the service drill teams (Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force- not sure about the Coast Guard*), leave their duty station and head out to train for about 30 days to work on the upcoming season’s routine. Before the teams leave for training there is a challenge time or, …
The Meaning of the Thirteen Flag Folds
DrillMaster explains the meaning of the thirteen folds of the American flag.
All About POW/MIA Flag Protocol
The POW/MIA flag is not authorized to be carried either in a color guard. Read on to find out why.
First Responder Funeral Honors Require a Written Standard Before Tragedy Happens
A first responder funeral is not the time to invent policy. When a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMS provider, dispatcher, or agency chief dies, the department is already under emotional, operational, and public pressure.
Do Pallbearers Remove Their Cover?
No. Yes. Well… When I received this question a few months ago on my Instagram account, I went right to work answering it as I went through a typical scenario in my head. At the same time, my friend, CN Alec White, a current US Navy Ceremonial Guardsman assigned to the Casket Team, gave a different answer from a different …
Taps: “America’s National Song of Remembrance,” Information and Origin
In The News That will be what the bugle call Taps is called when a proposal that is now in the House eventually passes. Read the complete story here. See also Taps 150 and TapsBugler. What to do – During a rendition of Taps at a military funeral, memorial service or wreath ceremony, -All present not in uniform should stand …
Formal Casket Watch
For some the term casket watch, is unknown. That is unless you are on a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or EMS honor guard member. These members have known of and performed a casket watch for many years for their fallen, formally and informally.
Is it “Tall or Tap,” “Tall Tap” or What?
When first falling-in for a flight or platoon formation, after the dressing to the right, the leader of the formation (Drill or Training Instructor or even the Drill Team Commander) might use a term that some seem to be unfamiliar with, “If you are taller than the person in front of you, tap him on the shoulder and move up!” …
Replacing the Army Spade Finial
Finial = the topper/ornament of a flagstaff Flagstaff = the guidon staff carried by a color guard member Active Duty and Reserve US Navy and US Coast Guard color guards are required to have the battle-ax, also called a Battalion Lance, as their primary finial, according to NTP 13B, Flags, Pennants and Customs (download from the Resources page). The silver …
Organizing a Massing of the Colors Event
Massed Colors Massed colors, but not the type outlined in the Army and Marine drill and ceremonies manuals. These manuals specifically state to not have multiple color guards at a ceremony. One is enough. But, that’s for strictly military formations. Click here for information on a massed colors formation. Massing of the Colors is an event where multiple color guards …