Versión en español a continuación.

Bias

We all have certain knowledge and experiences that define how we view circumstances around us. That’s called our bias. A bias isn’t necessarily bad but if you only rely on your knowledge and experiences and are closed off to learning something new, that is the bad part.

As a judge viewing regulation, exhibition, or a ceremonial drill routine, you must leave your bias out of your comments, reactions, and scoring. Judges rely on training, experience, and study to score a performance, but adjudication is about the educational process and not meeting the expectations of a random judge.

“Gathering Laundry”

A few years ago, I trained three CAP unit competitive teams in color guard and flight drill and Flag Detail procedures. Depending on the size of the flag for the Flag Detail, it is either handed of to several flag handlers or it is gathered into the arms of the Catcher who then facilitates folding with the other team members. One judge for the Flag Detail portion of the competition made the statement that gathering the flag into the Catcher’s arms is inappropriate and tantamount to “gathering laundry” into your arms. That’s an extraordinarily ignorant comment coming from one who is supposed to have complete knowledge of all procedures for the Flag Detail.

The Marine in the Photos is the Catcher

Although you can barely see him, this Marine, from Marine Barracks Washington, is the Catcher for the Evening Colors ceremony at the Barracks. The focus is on the flag but you can just see the Marine’s white cover (hat) in the images here. Below is the link to the video where I grabbed the screenshot. The link begins at the start of Evening Colors so that you can see the Catcher gather the flag into his arms.

The required number of halyard bearers, flag handlers, and folders varies to lower the flag. Just because the flag may be relatively “large” doesn’t mean the Catcher hands of the lower corner to a handler and the same goes for a smaller flag. Either can be gathered into the Catcher’s arms and the smaller sizes are almost always gathered.

American flag sizes for flying from a flagpole

• 3’x5′
• 4’x6′
• 5’x8′
• 6’x10′
• 8’x12′
• 9.5’x5′
• 10’x15′
• 10’x19′
• 12’x18′
• 20’x38′
• 30’x50′

Preparation

Before the flag-lowering ceremony begins, several preparatory steps must be taken to ensure a smooth and respectful process:

• Assemble the Team:
  • If you are military or a cadet, read your service drill and ceremonies manual to ensure adherence to proper service procedures.
  • Typically, at least two individuals are required to lower and gather the flag. One person operates the halyard (rope) to lower the flag, while the other stands ready to gather the flag as it descends.
• Check the Environment: Ensure the area around the flagpole is clear of obstacles and distractions. This helps maintain focus and respect during the ceremony.
• Dress Appropriately:
  • Participants should wear neat and respectful attire, suitable for the solemnity of the occasion.
  • Military should be in uniform; cadets do not have to be in uniform.

Lowering the Flag

The process of lowering the flag begins with careful and deliberate actions:

• Position Your Team:
  • Catcher should stand near the base of the flagpole, ready to receive the flag as it descends.
  • Halyard Handler(s) must be at the base. After securing the halyard in one Handler’s hands, ensure the halyard is not twisted by looking up and handing off the appropriate (ascending/descending) line. This is the only time anyone looks up.
• Begin Lowering: Halyard Handlers slowly and steadily lower the flag.
• Maintain Respect:
  • Throughout the lowering process, all participants should maintain a solemn and respectful demeanor, reflecting the significance of the flag.
  • Catcher renders the hand salute.

Gathering the Flag

As the flag comes into view of the Catcher (do not look up), follow these steps:

• Catcher: drop Your salute and move to the leeward side (downwind) of the pole.
• Extend Your Arms: Ensure your hands are clean and free of any objects that could damage the flag.
• Grasp the Flag: As you reach the flag, carefully gather it into your arms, making sure it does not touch anything beneath it. Gently gather the flag as it is lowered, and keep it organized. Hold the upper grommet in your right hand and the lower grommet in the left hand.
• Avoid Dropping: Take care to avoid dropping any part of the flag. If necessary because the flag is so large, have a second person assist in gathering the flag to ensure it is handled with the utmost care.

Final Steps

Once the flag is fully gathered in your arms, follow these concluding steps to complete the process:

• Fold the Flag: Properly fold the flag into a triangle, with only the blue field and stars visible.
• March Off: March with the flag in Catcher’s arms to where it will be stored.
• Store the Flag: Place the folded flag in a clean and secure location, such as a flag case or designated storage area. Ensure it is kept in a dry and safe environment to preserve its condition.
• Reflect: Take a moment to reflect on the significance of the flag and the values it represents. This helps reinforce the respect and honor bestowed upon the flag during the ceremony.

This ceremony is an act of respect and patriotism. By following these steps with care and reverence, you ensure that the flag is treated with the dignity it deserves. Whether performed at a public event, military ceremony, or private occasion, this process honors the flag and the principles it symbolizes.

Conclusion

You need to know as much as you possibly can about whatever you are going to judge. Just having experience is NOT enough. Training on how to judge the What and the How of a visual performance should be a priority for you as well.

Lastly, I visit the Barracks relatively often, I’ll let the Drill Master and Assistant Drill Master know about this “laundry” problem.

Versión en Español

Inclinación

Todos tenemos ciertos conocimientos y experiencias que definen cómo vemos las circunstancias que nos rodean. Eso se llama nuestro sesgo. Un sesgo no es necesariamente malo, pero si sólo confías en tus conocimientos y experiencias y estás cerrado a aprender algo nuevo, esa es la parte mala.

Como juez que ve un reglamento, una exhibición o una rutina de ejercicios ceremoniales, debe dejar de lado sus prejuicios en sus comentarios, reacciones y puntuaciones. Los jueces dependen de la capacitación, la experiencia y el estudio para calificar una actuación, pero la adjudicación se trata del proceso educativo y no de cumplir con las expectativas de un juez aleatorio.

“Recolectando ropa sucia”

Hace unos años, entrené a tres equipos competitivos de unidades CAP en escoltas, ejercicios de vuelo y procedimientos de Detalle de Bandera. Dependiendo del tamaño de la bandera para el Detalle de la Bandera, se entrega a varios encargados de la bandera o se recoge en los brazos del Receptor, quien luego facilita el plegado con los otros miembros del equipo. Un juez de la parte de la competencia sobre el Detalle de la Bandera hizo la declaración de que juntar la bandera en los brazos del receptor es inapropiado y equivale a “recoger ropa sucia” en los brazos. Ese es un comentario extraordinariamente ignorante viniendo de alguien que se supone tiene conocimiento completo de todos los procedimientos para el Detalle de Bandera.

Aunque apenas puedes verlo, este infante de marina, de Marine Barracks Washington, es el receptor de la ceremonia de los colores de la tarde en el cuartel. La atención se centra en la bandera, pero en las imágenes aquí se puede ver la cubierta (sombrero) blanca del Marine. A continuación se muestra el enlace al vídeo donde tomé la captura de pantalla. El enlace comienza al comienzo de Evening Colors para que puedas ver al Catcher recoger la bandera en sus brazos.

El número requerido de portadores de driza, manejadores de bandera y plegadores varía para arriar la bandera. El hecho de que la bandera pueda ser relativamente “grande” no significa que el receptor entregue la esquina inferior a un manejador y lo mismo ocurre con una bandera más pequeña. Cualquiera de los dos se puede juntar en los brazos del Catcher y los tamaños más pequeños casi siempre se juntan.

Tamaños de bandera estadounidense para volar desde un asta de bandera

• 3’x5′
• 4’x6′
• 5’x8′
• 6’x10′
• 8’x12′
• 9.5’x5′
• 10’x15′
• 10’x19′
• 12’x18′
• 20’x38′
• 30’x50′

Conclusión

Necesita saber todo lo que pueda sobre lo que vaya a juzgar. Tener experiencia NO es suficiente. La formación sobre cómo juzgar el qué y el cómo de una actuación visual también debería ser una prioridad para usted.

Por último, visito el Cuartel con relativa frecuencia, le informaré al Drill Master y al Assistant Drill Master sobre este problema de “lavandería”.