“Guard, Fix the Flag”

It’s a windy day. Your JROTC color guard is up next for the competition. You move into position on the drill, colors at Carry and rifles at Right Shoulder, pad and give the order to go to Present Arms. The rifles guards execute the Present Arms position, the American flag is flying in the breeze, and the spade at the top of the staff for the state flag, while it is being pushed forward, catches the American flag at the corner and the flag wraps around the point on the spade. If you notice in time, you realize that if either of the flags move independently, the American flag, made of nylon, will have a nice rip, or at least, a run that will render the flag useless, requiring the purchase of a new flag. What should happen next?

Fix it! The color team commander, the bearer of the American flag (only, no one else is ever the commander), must give an informational command to have the right or left rifle guard proceed to fix it. If need be, bring the staffs out of the harness cup/socket, proceed with whatever needs to be fixed and then carry on with the performance like nothing happened. The impression left on the judge/audience will be much better than if a disaster is left to happen.

You have been trained to execute the sequence and, just like exhibition Drillers who must practice on how to recover from a drop or hit, your team should make sure they are prepared to handle a mishap or accident without breaking their bearing. Handle it in a professional manner and everyone will remember your stellar performance.

Judges! Do not fix anything that the cadets can handle! Let them learn. They need to be able to adapt and overcome and if they do or do not, score accordingly.