Recently, Virginia elected a new Governor. The image at the top of the page was shared on the VA State Defense Force Facebook page. There are many things wrong and here is what I noted on social media based on this image
Ceremonial Mourning, Authority, and the Proper Use of Bunting
When a public official or community leader dies, the desire to honor them is immediate and sincere. For first responder agencies in particular, this instinct often manifests through visible symbols of mourning—flags, apparatus positioning, uniforms, and, increasingly, bunting.
For Drill Meet Judges: Why Accent Is Not Excellence in Regulation Drill
Judging regulation drill requires a fundamentally different evaluative lens than judging exhibition or performance-based disciplines. When that distinction is not explicitly defined, even experienced judges can unintentionally reward behaviors that fall outside regulation doctrine. This article clarifies what regulation drill is asking you to evaluate, what it is not, and how to avoid common visual traps that distort scoring. Regulation …
When Standing Out Breaks the Standard: Accent vs. Authority in Regulation Drill
In regulation drill, excellence is not demonstrated by visibility—it is demonstrated by compliance. Yet in competitive environments, a recurring behavior has emerged: teams introduce subtle pauses before flanking movements, exaggerate foot sweeps on facing movements, or add slight timing accents that are not prescribed by doctrine. These additions are often intentional, designed to “stand out” to judges when technical execution …
The Pathfinder Drill and Ceremonies Manual: 6 Surprising Takeaways
Introduction: More Than Just Camping and Crafts When you picture a youth group, you probably think of camping trips, community service, and crafts. You might not picture a 318-page technical manual detailing the precise angle of a foot or the specific cadence for a funeral procession. But that’s exactly what I found when I analyzed the Pathfinder Drill & Ceremonies …
The Three-Man Color Guard: Authorization vs. Application
The USAF drill and ceremonies manual recognizes this configuration as an acceptable color guard formation. Its inclusion establishes that the formation is doctrinally valid. The other services do use this team set up, but it is relegated to formal visits on the international stage.
Should a Color Guard Bow Their Heads During Prayer?
This question arises frequently at ceremonies, particularly when a chaplain invites those present to bow their heads. The answer depends on a critical distinction: who is acting as an individual—and who is acting as a representative.
“Praise in Public”: The Case for Public Correction
Not long ago, I received a private message from a high-ranking officer (O-6). See my “Stupid People” article. While I’ve received variations of this question before, his direct inquiry provided the perfect opportunity to address a recurring issue. The image above was generated for me by Gemini. It’s supposed to be of a disappointed senior leader. Notice the fringe on …
Can a Flight Commander Switch Sides During Regulation Drill?
In JROTC drill competitions—during the regulation drill sequence—questions occasionally arise regarding the authorized positioning of the flight. One recurring practice, observed most frequently in the west, but slowly creeping to other areas, involves the commander switching from the prescribed left side of the formation to the right side and eventually switching back through column movements. This article examines whether that practice is doctrinally supported.
Why a TSA Color Guard Is Not Authorized—and What Works Instead
The Transportation Security Administration is a civilian federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security.