JROTC units across the country send drill teams and colors guards to drill competitions for many of the school year’s Saturdays. Whether your team is competitive in World Class events or can only afford a couple of hours of practice each week, everyone can benefit from this course. Download the flyer from my Downloads page under the DrillMaster University heading. …
The DrillMaster DrillUp! Clinic
I’ve been teaching in various official capacities since 1986 and since 2009, I’ve been teaching various elements of what I have developed into a formal clinic for cadets, mainly, and JROTC instructors. The best news is that the clinic is free! I teach it to JROTC units as I travel the country instructing first responder ceremonial units. The text of the …
The “Savard” & “Gilly” Manuals
A short time ago, Leslie Savard Hamud sent a question to me through my Facebook page, The Honor Guard Manual. To me, the question was a little cryptic and out of left field- but I really enjoy left field questions!
The Color Guard for the Disabled
Many disabled and paralyzed veterans across the country want to take part in Veterans Day, Memorial Day parades and other celebrations even taking part in honor guard duties at funerals. The picture above is an example of two members taking part in a color guard. While the picture below is another example, this time of a full color guard. What …
What a JROTC Drill Team Commander Should Know
Being a Leader Question 1: I was thinking about my weaknesses & strengths and a problem appeared to me. I want to be drill team commander, but I’m going to be a second-year cadet. Some of the other cadets are 3rd year, and it would appear to me that they would say, “why wasn’t I chosen?” This is going to …
Is it Time for a Break?
I constantly receive questions about all kinds of issues that relate to the military drill world and one that crops up about once a year is regarding what some call a “drought”. No, this will not be a history lesson of the American Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1920s. This is about hitting the performance wall. Runners …
Service Core Values and You
Each Service several years ago began codifying what the service stands for and what standards the service members needed to uphold. Even if you are a first-year JROTC cadet, you need to take on these standards and make them your own. It will be so beneficial for you right away and in the long term. Don’t follow the ways of …
The Youth Trumpet and Taps Corps
From The Taps Bugler, Jari Villanueva On Tuesday, September 15th, the White House will honor eleven young women as “Champions of Change” who are empowering their communities. In addition to honoring these young people for their courage and contributions, the goal of the event is to inspire girls and young women to recognize their potential for leadership– as educators, advocates, …
How to Create a Tetrad, a 4-Man Exhibition Team
Drill teams come in all sizes for different reasons. Teams can range in size from nine to twenty five members with or without a commander marching outside of the formation. A tetrad, the shorter name for a four- or five-man exhibition drill team, creates a performance for small areas like a ballroom dance floor or on a stage.
The Army Donations Program for a Firing Party
How to obtain rifles for your firing party.