Educating the Military Drill World
The ‘Good Idea Fairy,’ the destroyer of motivation and crusher of souls, is back, and this time it’s haunting the drill field. As I detail in my previous work, ‘The Magic White Glove Effect,’ this phenomenon is all due to unrealistic expectations. Recently, I received a message detailing a ceremony rehearsal where a prepared junior NCO and his Color Guard …
This article examines a recent colors presentation conducted by the California Military Institute in support of the California State Guard. As always, the intent here is not criticism for its own sake, but education. By unpacking both strengths and deficiencies, we can clarify standards, improve training outcomes, and reinforce the non-negotiable principles that govern military color guard operations. See the …
“A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.”Napoleon Bonapart Napoleon’s observation remains relevant because it identifies a fundamental truth of military culture: recognition matters. Ribbons, medals, badges, cords, and other uniform distinctions are not superficial. They are visible acknowledgments of effort, competence, and commitment. They communicate, without explanation, that an individual or group has earned …
Over the past year (2025), I have shared several photos of JROTC units presenting all of the service colors at patriotic events and then wrote my thinking of the situation: “is this authorized?” and I went on to invite my readers to comment. I need to be clear: This creates a “why” behind the rules that backs up both positions: …
It’s not short for “professor”, a proffer is one who stands by with awards or certificates and hands them to the presenter. In the U.S. Air Force and other branches that follow similar protocol the term for the individual who assists the presenter during a formal military award or retirement ceremony is called the Proffer. Their role. The following is …
In the somber process of bringing home our fallen servicemembers, every detail matters. The sight of a flag-draped casket signifies part of the highest honors a nation can bestow. However, a modern logistical trend is starting to undermine that dignity: the practice of draping the interment flag over the shipping container holding the casket, rather than the casket itself.
This article is a continuation of Part 1, The Rhythm of Movement. Here, we go over what physically happens when taking that first step. The Gate Cycle When we talk about the gait cycle, we’re essentially describing a full rhythmic cycle of walking. Marching is a highly disciplined and stylized form of walking, so when marching, the gait cycle is …
If you are a cadet seeking mastery, or an adult instructor dedicated to absolute correctness, you already know the name The DrillMaster. For years, you have relied on my hundreds of articles, thousands of social media posts, and authoritative books to set the standard for military drill. Now, that standard evolves. The DrillMaster Podcast is your new, essential audio channel …
The first three installments established the analytical imperative (Cipolla), the ethical guardrails (Scripture/Stoicism), and the strategic mandate (Negentropy). This final article completes the foundation, demonstrating that the need to guard standards and warn against irrationality is not new—it is a central, continuous theme across military, philosophical, and wisdom traditions spanning millennia.
I asked AI and we created a further explanation in this series. I posited the question, “Does entropy have a role in Cipolla’s model?” The answer was: While there is no recognized physical or statistical quantity called “social entropy,” the concept of entropy provides a near-perfect metaphor for the destructive, corrosive force that Carlo M. Cipolla assigned to “stupid people.” …