My critiques for each of the female performances (squad and platoon, RD and XD) at the first annual Astronaut High School Drill Meet. Click the titles for each school and the audio file should begin to download for you. Congratulations to all of the schools that participated! And a big thank you to all of the judges: local Army recruiters, …
How to Switch from Regualtion Drill to Exhibition Drill
A short time ago a student friend of mine sent me a video of his armed solo performance asking for feedback (I give real-time audio feedback on performances of Drillers and teams in the WDA Adjudication System: Overall Effect, Composition Analysis, Marching & Equipment- usually a combined critique of a little from each caption). To preface the video, he told …
Regarding Ambidexterity
The definition according to dictionary.com am·bi·dex·trous [am-bi-dek-struhs] 1. able to use both hands equally well: an ambidextrous surgeon. 2. unusually skillful; facile: an ambidextrous painter, familiar with all media. For the military drill world, having ambidexterity means 1. being able to use both hands/arms to manipulate your piece of equipment for armed exhibition drill and, 2. being able to use …
Point Spreads and What They Mean
Currently, military drill competition scores are not associated with a standard so the point spreads (the amount of numbers between scores given to teams) do not have any meaning- but they should. I’ll explain. Current scoring methods look like this (or are very similar): several categories with a score range of 1 – 10. The total points for that score …
It’s Natural to be Negative
“Negative” judging was the first kind and in the military drill world is still quite prevalent. What is “Negative” Judging? In the drum corps and marching band world, this judging is called the “tick system.” The score starts with 100 points and each “tick” being a tenth of a point that is deducted for “mistakes.” This is what the military …
What is “Derived Achievement”?
A friend of mine (“R”) and I (“DM”) were having a discussion, sending messages back and forth a short time ago. The questions he asked have been asked me before and I had to take the opportunity to share the information with you. R: I have a couple questions, I have heard that in high school exhibition it is illegal …
The DrillMaster’s Creed
Originally written by a Soldier friend of mine, it is an adaptation of the Army’s Soldier’s Creed. The DrillMaster’s Creed I am a DrillMaster. I am an expert in all forms of drill: Regulation and Exhibition. I am or was a senior member of a team and one of the best therein. I am a leader and a teacher. I …
The Essence of Judging Military Drill
DrillMaster explains how to judge military drill.