We can put, dance, color guard, music, skateboarding, surfing, skiing, wrestling, etc. in the place of “DRILL”, below. All of the words that are in bold all capitals, are a fairly standard saying or at least thought process. I DRILL In different ways, thousands of people “drill”: honor guard units, JROTC cadets, etc. and for many, it is an activity that …
Grammar Rules and Exhibition Drill “Rule” Equivalents
A routine is like a document that contains words, sentences, paragraphs and, finally, a “story.” We communicate through writing and we communicate through our actions as well. One aspect of exhibition drill is clear communication. Here we take a look at how to effectively communicate. Grammar Rules and Exhibition Drill “Rule” Equivalents Above, the word, “Rule” is in quotes because, …
Do Standards even Matter?
The picture at right was sent to me by a Facebook friend who is an Army JROTC instructor in Texas. He sent it with the note that, at this particular drill meet, the SOP stated that only authorized service uniforms were to be worn. He told me the reason for the strict uniform requirements: One year I saw a color guard …
Drill Team Drama
DrillMaster, My JROTC unit recently formed a drill team but there is so much drama, no one is happy with anything. Is there any advice you could give me so that I can end the drama and continue drill without having to leave upset? The commanders are busy with color guard the cadet in charge is as childish as all …
So, you want to be a drill team Instructor?
If you are like me, you love to work with students and teach them everything you know so that they can go off and maybe do the same while building on the foundation you’ve given them. There is another side to working with children/young adults: protecting them and even yourself against evil. I’ve never thought about this kind of danger …
Flag Drill Teams: Making Lemonade out of Lemons
The reason some of the drill teams in San Fransisco and other areas of California use swing flags instead of rifles is due to anti-gun sentiments for many years. According to their website, “The Flag Team, or FT (formerly Boys Drill Team, or BDT) descended from the Rifle [Armed Drill] Team, which was discontinued in 1994 by the San Francisco Unified …
US Military Service Drill and Ceremonies Manuals
US Military Service Drill and Ceremonies Manuals These are the manuals you need to know front-to-back, back-to-front, inside and out. While some may think this information boring, as someone affiliated with a marching program (cadet, military member, first responder, etc.), these manuals are the foundation of what you do and it is a MUST that you read your service’s …
The Cadet Series: American Military Cadets
A little-known program, but quickly gaining more and more exposure, is the American Military Cadet Corps (AMCC). It is just like US Navy Sea Cadets or Civil Air Patrol, but for the Army and like Sea Cadets, USAC offers hands-on real-world training just like Soldiers get. Pardon the expression but, USAC is Army JROTC on steroids. Strength and Honor! This motto …
How to Hold the Rifle While at Either Shoulder
This is directly from TC 3-21.5 (count 2 of Right Shoulder). On count two, move the right hand from the barrel and grasp the heel of the butt between the first two fingers with the thumb and forefinger touching at the first joint. If you are Army (JROTC, ROTC,Army Cadets, Reserve, National Guard or Active Duty), then you must follow …
Learning by “Word of Mouth”
This year’s seniors were taught by last year’s seniors who were taught by the previous year’s seniors, etc., etc., etc. This is common in high schools across the country- unfortunately. No one reads the manual and the idea creeps in that we do it this way, meaning that at our school, we do “XYZ” like this. Where “XYZ” could be …

