Service Drill Teams Attend Annual Training Camps

DrillMasterCommentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard 6 Comments

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, …

What does the Drill Team Commander do?

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional Leave a Comment

What does the Drill Team Commander do? Excellent question! Here is the answer: Regulation Drill Feeling a little Canadian? The team commander stands in one spot and calls commands. The only movements the commander makes is facing the team as they move around the drill area. This may seem strange to Americans, but it is understandable (judging the team as …

Drill Team Technique

Regarding Competition

DrillMasterCommentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

Some, over the years, have said competition is a bad thing because little Johnny or Suzy get their feelings hurt. The instance given is the game Musical Chairs; all of the kids are running around then one doesn’t make it to a chair and “loses,” there is only one “winner.” What a sad way to look at such a fun …

The “Silver Brass” of the Silent Drill Platoon

DrillMasterDrill Teams, DrillCenter News Leave a Comment

In the late 1970’s, the number one rifle inspector with the Marine Corps Silent Drill platoon passed on his brass, or the buttons and emblems from his uniform, to his successor. The brass continued to be passed on, and over time, the cleaning and polishing turned the once gold-colored brass silver. “Being able to wear the silver brass and to …

How to Halt from Right/Left Step

DrillMasterDrillCenter News Leave a Comment

With me spending 27 years associated with Air Force drill and ceremonies, the Marine Corps style of D&C has always been unusual to me. Having said that, I’ve studied the MCO several times and have worked with a couple of Marines who have been a great help for me. Not long ago, A Navy Master Chief NJROTC instructor had a …

First Night Jitters

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, DrillMaster Certification, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

One’s first performance can be a little stressful. Here are some words of wisdom to remember for just that situation. I’ve been associated with many performance ensembles over the years and one of the best pieces of advice has been: for that first performance in front of an audience, when you first go out, you will feel adrenaline coursing through …

Tuck Your Gloves! But, In Your Epaulet?

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

Some may find this innocuous, but (first responder) ceremonial guardsmen need to maintain a professional image when in uniform before, during and after a ceremony. Any other time that we are out of uniform, dress is most likely not an issue. For us in the military, it’s a big no-no to tuck gloves into an epaulet. That’s not where they belong …

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 …