A Drill Master (DM) is not just an expert in drill and ceremonies (D&C)—he is the guardian of precision, discipline, and military tradition. Historically, the DM has always been the one member of a unit most accomplished in understanding and teaching drill, ensuring both correctness and consistency across the unit. This role is essential, not ceremonial. The Drill Master is the foundation upon which military bearing is built.
Tomato-Tomato
A Drill Master is an individual with a title in a military or cadet unit. A DrillMaster is my version of the title and the certifications I provide.
The First Drill Master: Baron von Steuben
The role of Drill Master in the United States dates back to the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington sought help instilling discipline and cohesion among his ragtag force of citizen-soldiers. He brought over Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a seasoned officer from Prussia—my own ancestral homeland, Fulda, Germany. What von Steuben brought with him wasn’t just experience; he brought a system—a methodical and disciplined approach to training troops through drill.
His resulting work, Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States (1779), known as the Blue Book, became the first drill manual for the U.S. military. It didn’t just teach movements—it laid the cultural and functional foundation of our military. That makes von Steuben not only the first drill instructor—but our first Drill Master.
Let’s explore some of von Steuben’s own words from the Blue Book and see how his philosophy remains just as relevant today as it was in 1779.
On the Purpose of Drill
“The object of all military manoeuvres is to bring the troops to act together with the greatest order and promptitude; and that object can only be attained by practice and discipline.”
— Baron von Steuben, Blue Book, 1779
Why it mattered then: Von Steuben was shaping an army from scratch. Without uniformity in maneuver, battlefield success would be impossible. Drill unified movement and developed response time under stress.
Why it matters now: While battlefield tactics have evolved, the purpose of drill remains the same: to instill discipline, develop unity, and create a foundation of excellence. The Drill Master ensures this is not watered down.
On the Role of the Instructor
“The first object of a commander should be to establish discipline and order among his men; without these, no army can be good, or even respectable.”
— Baron von Steuben, Blue Book, 1779
Why it mattered then: Discipline wasn’t automatic in the Continental Army. Von Steuben knew that military professionalism had to be taught, not assumed.
Why it matters now: Today’s Drill Master is a direct extension of that commander’s intent. Whether training cadets, Active Duty (Guard, Reserve) military, or ceremonial teams of any kind, the DM sets and sustains discipline through standards-based instruction.
On Formations and Alignment
“The officers must be attentive to keep their men in the most exact order, and to see that they dress to the right with the utmost precision; for on the exactness of the line depends the whole appearance and regularity of the maneuver.”
— Baron von Steuben, Blue Book, 1779
Why it mattered then: In an era where battlefield formations mattered for survival, alignment wasn’t cosmetic—it was critical to function.
Why it matters now: Today, this precision speaks to ceremonial excellence and professional pride. The Drill Master ensures formations are taught, corrected, and executed to exacting standards.
On the Manual of Arms
“The manual exercise being the first thing taught a recruit, too much care cannot be taken to make him perform it with the greatest exactness and uniformity; it should be shown him step by step, and he should not be suffered to proceed to a second motion till he has perfectly learned the first.”
— Baron von Steuben, Blue Book, 1779
Why it mattered then: Von Steuben knew that proper weapons handling and uniformity in the manual of arms not only looked professional—it ensured safety, confidence, and control under stress.
Why it matters now: That same deliberate, sequential approach is essential in teaching today’s drill movements. A Drill Master ensures no one rushes the process and that excellence is built step-by-step.
On Cadence
“In all marches, the step is to be 75 steps in a minute; each step 2 feet; and the officers are to take care that the soldiers keep their heads and bodies erect, without moving the arms, and preserve the step and distance with the greatest exactness.”
— Baron von Steuben, Blue Book, 1779
Why it mattered then: Uniform step and cadence ensured battlefield coherence and unit cohesion during movement, whether advancing or retreating.
Why it matters now: Cadence maintains formation integrity and builds confidence and synchronization. The Drill Master enforces this discipline in every phase—parade, competition, or ceremony.
On Marching and Spacing
“The greatest attention must be paid to the regularity of the march, the dressing of the ranks, and the preservation of distances; without which a battalion will never appear like a military body.”
— Baron von Steuben, Blue Book, 1779
Why it mattered then: A unit that couldn’t march in step was a liability in combat and a disgrace in the eyes of allies and enemies alike.
Why it matters now: Marching isn’t just about movement—it’s about demonstrating cohesion. The Drill Master ensures every detail is understood and executed, preserving the image and effectiveness of the unit.
Why Every Unit Still Needs a Drill Master
Over time, the title of “Drill Master” has faded from widespread use in the U.S. military, with the Marine Corps remaining the only service that officially maintains this title today—particularly within their recruit depots and ceremonial detachments.
But that doesn’t mean the need has vanished.
Every military unit, cadet program, and honor guard team needs someone who:
- Knows the standards cold.
- Trains others with accuracy.
- Corrects errors before they become habits.
- Preserves tradition while ensuring relevance.
Drill and ceremonies are not optional—they are foundational. They form the spine of discipline, unity, and public trust. Whether preparing for a funeral, a parade, a competition, or the next generation of leaders, having a competent Drill Master in place ensures that what is passed down is worthy of the uniform.
In a world where shortcuts are common and misinformation spreads quickly, the Drill Master stands as a bulwark of precision and excellence.