Firefighter Uniform for the Funeral Procession

DrillMasterHonor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

I constantly receive questions on here my website and on my social media accounts. I also belong to a couple of Facebook first responder groups where drill and ceremonies and honor guard questions are posted from time-to-time. For some questions, I just read the responses and learn; for others, I am able to share my knowledge. This one was a …

The “Flake Monster” at Obama’s Farewell

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard/Color Team, Commentary, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

It happens to the best. It’s called “Flaking” in the Ceremonial World. You hydrate, eat well, exercise and you don’t lock your knees, but all of the sudden, after standing for two-and-a-half hours, your vision pinpoints, you feel light headed and BAM! you are out cold on the ground. It’s physical, it’s mental, and it’s physiological. It is quite possible …

The Obstacles of a Parade

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

When I was in AFJROTC (’79-’83), we didn’t have scoopers right behind horse entries in a parade. They were the unsung heroes who brought up the very rear, just in front of the police car with the flashing lights signaling the end of the parade. This meant that everyone in the parade had to dodge, duck, dip, dive and… dodge …

Communication and Respect

DrillMasterCommentary Leave a Comment

In the movie, Ghost Busters, Egon Spengler says, “Print is dead.” To some extent, I agree, but words on the screen are alive and well. In the military, we know how to communicate and how to show respect in all forms of communication. After all, the military relies heavily on communication and it must be done the right way the …

Firing Party: Stop Taking Aim!

DrillMasterHonor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 2 Comments

A Firing Party fires a ceremonial Three-Volley salute using modern or traditional rifles (military), shotguns, or pistols (law enforcement). It is not the 21-Gun Salute, that is fired by guns (canons) and only in the Army and Navy. The Numbers: Anywhere from three to seven members firing with a commander. The smaller amount of members on the team does not …

The “Savard Manual” or “Savards”

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Drill Teams, DrillCenter News, Honor Guard Leave a Comment

A short time ago, Leslie Savard Hamud sent a question to me through my facebook page, The Honor Guard Manual. To me, the question a little cryptic and out of left field- but I really enjoy left field questions! Here is how the conversation went: Leslie: Hello, I am the daughter of Al Savard and my dad is a proud …

Don’t Break Vertical

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

When executing facing movements while armed with a rifle, do not break vertical. But, what does that mean? In Regulation Drill, drill that is based on the drill and ceremonies manual for each military service, without any added movements whatsoever, Drillers must execute the movements exactly as described. The preparatory commands for facing movements are Right, Left and About. Do not …

How to Execute Change Step

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

Give the command, Change Step, MARCH! on the right foot. In the image at right, you can see the foot placements just before, during and right after giving the command. The following is what each service manual says on the specific execution of the command. A non-military explanation of the steps:The tempo range is 116-124 SPM (steps per minute) for the …

“Military Neck”

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Drill Teams, DrillFit, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

Military schools across the nation are notorious for telling their new cadets to pull back/tuck their chin. It’s difficult to tuck your chin, pull in your stomach while it’s up against the edge of the table, and look straight ahead while eating your three squares a day. Eating at the position of Attention. Three Squares (a meal): take a scoop …

Color Guard Flag Stand Problems Resolved

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

Many of us have been in the situation of posting the colors in a low-profile flag stand and have tried all kinds of things to stop the flag from looking like can’t stand up straight. At right, is one method of trying to fix the problem, stuffing cardboard or paper towels around the inside of the hole of the stand. It …