Carolyn Cole LA Times via AP

The Joint Military/First Responder Funeral

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, DrillCenter News, Honor Guard Leave a Comment

I speak with law enforcement officers and firefighters around the country on all matters of drill and ceremonies. This crops up every so often and needs to be addressed.

Three percent of Americans serve in the military. Many of those who serve get out after their initial four years, maybe another tour, or they stay for 20. After that, some go into law enforcement or become firefighters.

The Requirement

Department of Defense Form 214 is what every veteran receives upon honorable discharge. It is presented to the funeral director to verify service. That verification gets the wheels in motion to request ceremonial support.

Since the year 2000 Defense Authorization Act, all veterans and retirees receive Military Funeral Honors in one form or another. Most often, two trained honor guard members show up for the funeral, fold and present the flag and sound Taps. That’s a Veteran Honors Funeral. A Retiree Honors Funeral used to have more involvement with pallbearers, but most retirees are given VHF. There are higher levels of support depending on rank and flying status that are filled based on available personnel.

As stated above, the government provides at least two servicemembers from the appropriate branch and a large-star interment flag. The government standard is to fold and present the flag and sound Taps as the standard, but there is sometimes a twist that the honor guard members have to deal with on the fly.

The Twists – not an exhaustive list

  • The family fights over the flag as it is presented.
  • The NOK refuses to take the flag as it is presented.
  • The family has an inquisitive member or two who start asking honor guard members questions during the funeral.
  • A distraught family member jumps on the casket as the pallbearers are carrying it to the grave site.
  • The veteran is a first responder and the military honor guard will fold the flag with the department’s chief presenting to the NOK (next of kin).
  • The family wants the state or county flag on the casket (perfectly acceptable) and now the military honor guard has nothing to do except sound Taps because the military does not fold these flags. Note – National Guard may be authorized to fold the state flag.

FYI, all of the above instances have happened to me or to honor guard members I know.

Let’s look a bit closer at the last bullet point.

The Veteran is a First Responder

This is quite common and military honor guard members need to handle this situation just like they handle the others – with respect and a humble attitude. We need to always remember that, while the funeral is because of the deceased, it is for the family, friends, and colleagues. It has *nothing* to do with the honor guard members; that’s why we don’t wear nametags. I was never SSgt/TSgt John Marshall while I was on a Base Honor Guard, I was just another Airman working with my team in whatever position. We are not ourselves, we are a team and not individuals. We represent our branch of of the military.

The Choice is up to the NOK

“The military is what he did, a police officer (fire fighter, etc.) was who he was.” Whatever the NOK wants, within reason, is what will happen for the funeral. The department/office honor guard works out every aspect of the funeral and inserts the military involvement, based on the wishes of the NOK.

A word to the military out there: you getting bent out of shape just because you think “this isn’t protocol” or “this interrupts what we do” has zero basis in fact. Drop all of your preconceived expectations except that you will do your job to the best of your ability regardless of the situation. That’s all you’re supposed to do. You have a lane that you are staying in (honor guard, for the moment) and now it’s been narrowed by someone (NOK) who has the authority to do that. Deal with it, do your job, and drive on.

AF Colors

Responding To Your Own Commands

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Commanders for Parade Staff, Flag Detail, and Color Guard, do not come to Attention (from Parade Rest) to call their formation to Attention. This article is for every branch of the US military and all cadets. The commander, in all three instances, is part of the formation and does not move independently of the other members of the formation. This is for uniformity.

Parade Staff

This is a sample quote.

10-24. First bullet point. “Upon completion of the remarks, the COT [Commander of Troops- DM] commands the {parade] staff to Attention, faces about, and directs…”

TC 3-21.5

Here, the command is “Staff, ATTENTION!” with the commander and staff coming to Attention simultaneously. The COT faces about to give the formation Attention or give the unit commanders a Directive Command (e.g., Bring your units to Attention). If the COT came to Attention to give the command to the staff, he/she would just assume Attention, face about and then give the command, but that is not what happens for uniformity’s sake. The staff works as one separate unit at times (Attention and Present/Order Arms, etc.) and the parade formation works as one unit.

For the best example, watch this parade at Marine Barracks Washington. You will see the staff do exactly as I have quoted and added to, above. Plus! You will also see the Colors Sgt of the Marine Corps bring his team to Attention and respond to his own command.

Here is a parade from The Old Guard at Ft Meyer in VA, which is not Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall.

Next is the 8nd Airborne Division in a parade. A massive formation!

Color Guard

Right and Left Face, Carry Colors, Order Colors/Arms, and Parade Rest are all commands where the commander responds to each command. Why would calling the team to Attention be different? Your answer might be to quote all three service drill and ceremonies manuals that state the commander must be at attention when calling commands and that is true- when the commander is outside of the formation. All references are for squad/element, platoon/flight, and company/squadron commanders.

We don’t usually ask the question I just did above, “Why would calling the team to Attention be different?” when it comes to colors. We just assume it’s a rule and followed every time.

All I have is logic and this lone quote from the USAF D&C Sticky Note.

2.2 Rules for Commands

2.2.2. When the commander is a member of a staff {parade staff- DM] or detail [flag detail, colors] and is required to perform a movement at the same time as the formation [a color guard], the commander will maintain the same position as the formation while giving commands and will respond to his/her command.

AFPAM 34-1203

Historic USMC Commands and Marching

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In this clip from the 1962 TV show “I’ve Got a Secret”, Jonathan Winters marches a small platoon of Marines around the stage before the game show commences. We can learn a little bit from this:

  1. “Harch” was used by every service at least during the WWII era and for a few years after.
  2. “Oblique” was pronounced properly at one time. Read here for more.
  3. Commands were called when marching in just about any direction and eventually the each service created restrictions.

While this short performance isn’t presented as the whole truth and nothing but, it is an example of what I have posted about for several years now on social media using the tag, #DrillandCeremoniesHistory.

Fl Public Service Assoc. Cadet Honor Guard Competition

DrillMasterDrillMaster Performance Critiques, Honor Guard, Judging Leave a Comment

What a great day! Too bad other schools don’t join in on the learning!

Atlantic Community High School

LEO High School

Pinellas High School

San Volusia High School

San Volusia High School (I pressed stop instead of pause, this is the rest)

West FL High School

AJROTC Armed Platoon Nixa School District

When Does the Commander Move to Port From Sling and Back?

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Instructional, Regulation Drill Leave a Comment

Recently, I received a question that deserves to be an article. This happens constantly and is part of what I have called Filling in the Gaps. While I have been made fun of for using that term, there will always be someone with a question. They have a gap in their knowledge and are seeking to fill it.

The Question

[edited- DM] DrillMaster, during the Armed Squad sequence, the team marches at Quick Time, must go to Double Time March, back to Quick Time, and then Rear March (some sequences require Column Left). In that sequence the commander should be at Port Arms and NOT Sling Arms correct? Now, if that is true when does the commander go to Port Arms and then back to Sling Arms?

The Answer

Note- The JROTC commander for Army, Air Force, and Space Force must assume Sling Arms before beginning this phase of the competition. The JROTC commander for the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard must assume Right Shoulder (which doesn’t make sense, Sling Arms is better). By the way, “Facing movements by commanders of armed troops may be executed while at right shoulder arms.” MCO 5060.20, 6. General Rules for Drill, f. (3).

  • Paragraph 4-26 of TC 3-21.5 (addressing only marching) has several bullet points that explain Double Time. The second bullet has this parenthetical guidance: “When armed, Soldiers will come to Port Arms on receiving the preparatory command of Double Time.” And then we read the Note, which tells us that troops must be at Port before the command is called. That leaves the commander position up in the air. Both of these together don’t make sense.
  • Paragraphs 5-2 (M4) and B-1 (M16 Appendix) have bullet points that state “The command Port, ARMS must be given before the command for Double Time.”
  • Paragraph 5-17 (M4) has a bullet that states “All individual and unit drill movements can be executed at Sling Arms except Double Time, Stack Arms, and Fix and Unfix Bayonets, which are executed from Order Arms.”
  • Paragraph E-18 (Sword/Saber Manual Appendix) states “E-18. Port Arms (see figure E-10) is executed on the preparatory command Double Time of the command Double Time, MARCH.”

Only those in charge of a formation are armed with a sword/saber. Movement to Port with the sword is an indication to me that the commander of the formation who is at Sling, should then bring the rifle to Port on the preparatory command.

Nothing indicates when to return to Sling or even Carry for the commander carrying a sword. So, that decision is left up to you and that means a judge cannot complain about your decision. My suggestion is to move to Sling as soon as the team as back at Quick Time just before the Rear March/Column Left, which come very quickly.

“Cultured” Honor

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“Cultured” means produced under artificial conditions.

Pearls are expensive and fairly rare. That’s why cultured pearls came about. A pearl is made by an oyster that has sand creep into its shell. The sand is rough and uncomfortable, so the oyster mixes the sand with secretions that create a smooth ball that can be tolerated. When people discovered the process, sand was then purposefully inserted into as many oysters as possible to force them to create pearls. “Forced pearls” just doesn’t sound all that great so, “cultured” was the name given them.

In a similar way, “honor” is constantly forced.

Honor (Guard) Defined

There are a few words that are abused in the English language and in the military drill world, the word honor is one.

Honor:

  • A showing of usually merited respect.
  • A ceremonial rite (buried with full honors).
  • A ceremonial observance (joint honors arrival ceremony).

Honor Guard:

  • A guard assigned to a ceremonial duty.
    • [DM- this is the common explanation. An individual is an “honor guard”, but that’s not necessarily the full explanation.]

We need to go a bit further for our needs:

  • An Honor Guard is a military unit that has any one or all of the three ceremonial elements.
    • Color Guard.
    • Pallbearers.
    • Firing Party.
    • Other sub-elements based on ceremonial requirement.
      • Honor/sword cordon/side boys.
      • Car/building door openers.
      • Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Guard of Honor.

Forced Honor

Throwing “honor” in front of anything doesn’t make the thing “honorabler”, except in the eyes of the one who created it.

Example 1. Veterans have been dying in hospitals since the the beginning of our country. Lately, having the veterans remains brought out of his or her room still on the hospital bed covered with a flag (a violation of the Flag Code and military standards- the flag only drapes a casket or military transfer case) while the bugle call Taps is sounded (a violation of military standards – no one moves during the sounding of Taps and Taps is only sounded at the veteran’s funeral).

Example 2. All American flags are equal. One is not more “specialer” than another no matter how excessively flamboyant a ceremony you give it. Historic American flags through the ages and flags that have certain significance (also historic), are nationally or personally special. That’s why they are in special frames in museums.

Example 3. We can see the “bigger, better, more” thought process that comes with yearly ceremonies. Suddenly, what we did in ceremonies around the country isn’t good enough. Rendering honors the “old”, established, standardized way isn’t good enough. More flags, bigger flag, more wreaths, larger wreaths. That’s small thinking. What happens now is salutes for every fold of the flag, agonizingly slow salutes at random times, made up movements to create a “ceremonialer” ceremony. The list is endless.

Summary

This is a sampling. I’m sure there is more that could be added here. Honor has been well established and we need to stop redefining and endlessly adding to it.

“Honor.” and “Honor guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor%20guard. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.

“Cherry Picking”

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Commentary Leave a Comment

I’ve been told twice in two days that I “cherry pick” information. In one instance it was purely an insult, but it came from an adult who doesn’t like accuracy or the truth.

The second time came from a college level cadet who thought the two USAF D&C standards and who is authorized to follow them, doesn’t make sense.

Let’s break this down.

Accuracy

There are three drill and ceremonies manuals for regulation drill, three for ceremonial drill, protocol manuals, flag manuals, instructions and regulations from each service and the DoD that I keep up with to give out information that is as accurate as possible. Of course I’m going to be succinct in my articles and social media posts. That’s called being accurate. “Cherry picking” is using information that only supports your agenda. My agenda is to educate.

Just because you don’t like what I write or say, or the methods with which I choose to communicate, doesn’t make what I write or say picking and choosing or “cherry picking” that information. Call it whatever you want. Obviously, you do not want to listen and understand the concepts about which I’ve written (Don’t Form a Color Guard, for example). The information I provide is based on standards, some of which need a broader understanding of certain protocols. I’m willing to research that. You don’t have to read what I write, but I know you do.

The Two USAF Standards

AFPAM 34-1203 governs drill and ceremonies for all Airmen and Guardians. Its reach extends to SROTC and JROTC cadets. This is regulation drill.

AFMAN 34-515 and the AF Base Honor Guard Manual detail drill and ceremonies for the USAF Honor Guard and Base Honor Guard members. This is ceremonial drill.

All formations manned by Airmen and/or Guardians for a ceremonial nature (which is odd, because a ceremony is a ceremony right?), that is all who are assigned to the Honor Guard, perform all movements per 515/BHG manual. This includes parades/passes-in-review, color guards, etc.

All formations manned by Airmen and/or Guardians for a ceremony that is not governed by ceremonial drill is run by the AFPAM. This includes parades/passes-in-review, color guards, etc.

For example. The color guard in the photo below is made up of new 2nd Lieutenants for their graduation from USAF Officer Candidate School. Course members march a pass-in-review in flight formations with a color guard. In this case, only AFPAM 34-1203 applies and that means the team cannot march shoulder-to-shoulder and the right forearms of the bearers must be horizontal when at Carry (notice the US bearer’s arm).

What about SROTC or USAF Academy?

College cadets have taken it upon themselves to use some ceremonial standards for color guards. This seems to be an extension of AFJROTC/SFJROTC units being allowed to for a “special team” that can wear certain uniform items authorized only for Airmen and Guardians who are Ceremonial Guardsmen. While it is not necessarily authorized, many have turned an ignorant eye to cadets using these standards. That’s not a “blind eye”, as that would indicate that people are aware of both standards and who is authorized to perform them. Unfortunately, most senior AFROTC color guards perform rather poorly since most everyone relies on senior cadets to teach junior cadets with no one ever reading the appropriate manual.

Having said that, ceremonial techniques, especially for a color guard, are much more complete. In any case, rifle guards for AF/SF color guards follow the techniques for the guards MCO 5060.20 because they are on the outside shoulder and the team uses TC 3-21.5 for movement in general. See The Argument From AFPAM 34-1203 for more on this.

Proper Technique For the Platoon Commander

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Here is the situation: The regulation drill sequence for a platoon. The commander, three steps away from and centered on the platoon in Line Formation, gives the following commands:

CommandThe Commander
Left StepRight Step
Left FaceStands Fast
Right StepMarches Backward at Half Step
About FaceStands Fast
Forward MarchSteps off with a Face-In-March to the left

The team performs the commands as appropriate. Watch this performance.

But

No, not “buts”. The technique used in the video is correct. Here’s why.

The Left Face in the sequence above seems to be a sticking point for some. There is the thought that the commander must face to the right with the platoon (facing to the left) and then give the next command. Why would Left Face change what the commander does? It doesn’t.

Giving Right or Left Face and then Forward March requires the commander to perform a Face-in-March to that direction. So, giving a Right or Left Face and then anything other marching command is actioned from Attention facing the platoon.

Marching Commands

From Line Formation, the command Backwards March requires the commander to march forward at Half Step. Any sidestep command requires the commander to perform the opposite movement to remain centered and three steps away from the formation. Numbered steps or Forward March, from Line Formation, would require the commander to execute About Face first to be able to step off with the platoon and maintain alignment and distance. That is the key to every move.

The commander must be able to step off with the platoon and maintain alignment and distance.

*The three-step distance is due to a lack of room on the regulation drill area.

Standing Commands

Any “standing manual” command (e.g., facing movements, Hand Salute/Present, and Parade Rest) requires the commander to remain at Attention, centered on and facing the formation. The commander does not perform any of these movements because the commander is giving the commands for the platoon and not a platoon member.

What the D&C Manuals Say

3-2. When at the Halt, the commander faces the troops when giving commands. On commands that set the unit in motion (marching from one point to another), the commander moves simultaneously with the unit to maintain correct position within the formation. (See chapter 4, paragraphs 4-7 and 4-27, for more information on facing in marching.)

TC 3-21.5

7-7. On the command Open Ranks, MARCH; Backward, MARCH; Right (Left) Step, MARCH; Forward, MARCH and on commands that cause the platoon to change interval in line, they [the commander- DM] move at the same time (with the appropriate step) so as to maintain proper position.

TC 3-21.5

b. When giving commands, commanders face their troops.

MCO 5060.20 Chap 4, para 3

3. e. Except when marching at the head of a platoon column, the platoon commander must maintain proper distance (six paces) from the platoon and remain centered on the platoon during all drill movements.

(1) If the platoon was executing a right step, the platoon commander, who is facing the platoon, would execute a left step in cadence with the platoon in order to maintain proper position. For a left step, the platoon commander would execute a right step.
(2) If the platoon were executing a back step, the platoon commander would execute a half step, in cadence with the platoon in order to maintain proper position.
(3) Movements of the platoon commander during other platoon movements are explained in the paragraph describing the movement.

MCO 5060.20 Chap 9

2.2.2. The commander faces the formation when giving commands except when the element is part of a larger drill element or when the commander is relaying or echoing commands in a ceremony. When the commander is a member of a staff or detail and is required to perform a movement at the same time as the formation, the commander will maintain the same position as the formation while giving commands and will respond to his/her command.

AFPAM 34-1203

The USAF has never gotten into the small details with explanations. Airmen and now Guardians have relied on the TC and MCO.

Conclusion

The cadet platoon commander in the video did an excellent job calling the commands, maintaining alignment, and using proper technique of facing the platoon. There are some other slight issues, but that’s a topic for another day.

Maestro de Ejercicios

DrillMasterEn Espanol Leave a Comment

That is “DrillMaster” in Spanish (Master of Training/Drill/Practice). I will be writing for Spanish-only speakers since I have been asked for more articles and social media posts in Spanish over the years. Not every one of my articles here or social media posts will be translated, but what I feel as relevant to just about anyone, I will post in Spanish as well as English.

My books will be available in Spanish as well. It will take a bit of time, but this is my plan to help educate my Spanish speaking brothers and sisters.

Español

Escribiré para hablantes exclusivos de español ya que a lo largo de los años me han pedido más artículos y publicaciones en las redes sociales en español. No todos mis artículos aquí o publicaciones en las redes sociales serán traducidos, pero lo que considero relevante para casi todos, lo publicaré tanto en español como en inglés.

Mis libros también estarán disponibles en español. Tomará un poco de tiempo, pero este es mi plan para ayudar a educar a mis hermanos y hermanas hispanohablantes.