It was a great day judging color guard and I made real-time audio (MP3) critiques for each team. Here they are in alphabetical order:
The Center of a Formation
Each service recognizes that the center of a color guard with two guards and an even number of color bearers is the space between the two bearers. If the team has an odd number of color bearers, the center is the center color bearer. Simple. For a platoon/flight, there is a little more too it but…
It’s Not Rocket Science
Now, you can MAKE this rocket science and confuse everyone around you with your lack of understanding if you want but you are doing a disservice to others.
Let’s get some terms defined:
Center by Service
The Army does not define Center. The Army drill and ceremonies manuals have simply stated the commander (squad leader, platoon Sgt/leader, company commander, etc.) is centered on the formation.
The Marine Corps (Navy and Coast Guard) definition: “The middle element of a formation with an odd number of elements or the left center element of a formation with an even number of elements.”
The Air Force (Space Force) definition: “The middle point of a formation. On an odd-numbered front, the center is the center person or element. On an even-numbered front, the center is the right center person or element.” (Emphasis mine.)
- When the USAF first became an independent service, it took some information for drill and ceremonies from the Army, some from the Marine Corps, and then made up some standards. This might be where the confusion lies because of the USAF’s added term, Front, we must define it because this is key to the USAF explanation as to how it completely differs from the Marine Corps definition.
Front by Service
The Army does not define Front, specifically. However, it does have a graphic that has been around for decades showing that the Front of a formation is when it is in column.
The Marine Corps definition: “The space occupied by an element or a formation, measured from one flank to the other. The front of an individual is considered to be 22 inches.”
The USAF definition: “The space occupied by a unit, measured from flank to flank [“flank to flank” is the left or right, which only applies to the formation aligned in column -DM]. The front of an individual is considered to be 22 inches.”
And just to make sure we are all on the same page, let’s go ahead and get Element out in the open.
Element by Service
The Army does not define Element, specifically. However, it does describe formations as “the elements of a unit.” (TC 3-21.5, ix, first paragraph.)
The Marine Corps definition: “An individual, squad, section, platoon, company, or other unit that is part of a larger unit.” (Emphasis mine.) “Or other unit” must then include a rank because the MCO requires the formation commander to NOT be centered on the platoon with even-numbered ranks.
The USAF definition: “The basic formation; that is, the smallest drill unit comprised of at least 3, but usually 8 to 12 individuals, one of whom is designated the element leader.”
- This definition is not exact and needs more information.
- The AF/SF do not drill at the element level and uses Army standards for element (squad) drill.
- Technically, an element is an individual, element (squad), flight, squadron, etc. that is part of a larger group. But the AF covers for not using that definition by giving us “Unit”.
- Unit
- Any portion of a given formation.
Where Some in the AF Get Confused
Above, I highlighted the word Front because you will see it does not appear in the MCO definition of Center but appears in the AFPAM definition. “On an odd-numbered front” – ODD NUMBERED FRONT. Only the FRONT. For the AF, the front is only identified when marching in column formation, element (squad) leaders leading. This has NOTHING to do with the placement of the formation commander, no matter whet direction the formation marches.
The Marine Corps Extends the Definition of Center and Front
For the MCO, and ONLY for the Marine Corps, navy, and Coast Guard, the Front switches but only when marching to the flank. I’ll explain. A platoon can march for any distance with squad leaders leading (The rectangles in the image below with the “X”) and can make small changes in direction by marching to the right or left flank so that the squad leaders are to the left or right (respectively) of the formation. For the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard (ONLY!), the commander falls in line to the left of center rank but only when marching to the flank.
Clarity is not the strong suit of the US military, regardless of branch. Still, the MCO seems to have better and more accurate descriptions- mostly but not all. Having a Front on the side of a formation isn’t necessary. Staying centered works just fine.
No School JROTC or CAP Program?
No problem!
There are all kinds of cadet and explorer programs attached to elementary and high schools around the country. Read more about them here. Some schools have a small program that concentrates on providing a color guard and/or a Flag Detail. But how do you start one?
I have received this question before and provided guidance and now that I have received it again, I think we should take a look at something a student might want to start.
Firs Things First, Second Things Second, and so on…
First, write up a proposal of what you want the program to do.
- You could have a color guard (presents the colors at all kinds of functions) and/or a flag detail (raises and lowers the flag daily).
- You will want to include what standards to follow (usually, Army: TC 3-21.5 and AR 840-10).
- Suggest a type of uniform, something that everyone could wear without spending an excessive amount of money (you could begin with jeans and a polo-type shirt and progress from there).
- Set up training days and times. How often? How long?
- Write up what the leadership positions will be. The Color Guard Captain carries the American flag, what are the position’s other responsibilities? What does the Flag Detail Captain do?
- Create a brief curriculum to teach each position of a color guard and/or the flag detail.
Second, get a worksheet together (I did most of the work for you at that link) on the equipment you think you will need and have an idea for fundraising to take care of purchasing the equipment.
Finally, get all of your ducks in a row and schedule some time with the principal and even the superintendent to give a briefing on the plans you have. This will enable support at the top that can begin the search for a teacher/staff member who will sponsor the program at the school.
Your club doesn’t have to be a “military club” but a small organization whose members want to serve the school and community by properly rendering honors at games and other occasions.
Zouave Cadets
While commanding officer of the Rockford Greys militia company [There have been other cadets organizations termed “Greys” -DM], Elmer Ellsworth, introduced his men to drills inspired by those used by French Zouave units. Ellsworth himself had been introduced to Zouave military customs by Charles A. DeVilliers, a French physician, immigrant, and veteran of a Zouave outfit during the Crimean War. In 1859, soldiers of the National Guard Cadets of Chicago saw the Rockford Greys performing Zouave-inspired drills and offered Ellsworth command of their unit. Ellsworth accepted the offer, transforming the National Guard Cadets of Chicago into the United States Zouave Cadets.
On July 4, 1859, the United States Zouave Cadets – now 46 members strong – first publicly appeared in their new Zouave uniforms and executed the unique Franco-Algerian Zouave drill in front of Chicago’s Tremont Hall. With a training schedule of three evenings per week, the United States Zouave Cadets established a reputation for parade ground excellence called by one observer as “unsurpassed this side of West Point”. The United States Zouave Cadets saw their biggest audience, estimated to be 70,000 in number, the following September during the seventh annual United States Agricultural Society Fair which was hosted by Chicago.
There was even a march written for the cadets, The Zouave Cadets Quick Step.
To read more about them, visit this site.
The Pathfinder Drill and Ceremonies Manual
Over the last three years I have been working with some of the great people of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church on this book. I need to give you some background as to why I wrote it and how it all began.
Get your copy of
The Pathfinder Drill and Ceremonies Manual
SDA Pathfinders
Within the church is a wonderful youth program called Pathfinders. It’s a type of scouting activity that emphasizes personal growth in many, many areas. The guidance the program provides is impressive and young Pathfinders can have a solid foundation for life by putting in the necessary hard work. That hard work can lead to becoming an adult Pathfinder with the title of Master Guide.
One area that Pathfinders concentrates on is drill and ceremonies on a grand scale in some cases. Most local churches have Pathfinder adult leaders and younger Pathfinders in leadership positions. Some churches may have only a few members who make up a squad formation, while other churches have two or more platoons making up a large company formation.
Marching has been a big part of the program to instill all the benefits of military drill and ceremonies with competitions held around the world. For American Pathfinders, they have tried to follow the Army drill and ceremonies (D&C) standards however, since the church does not support combat or the use of firearms, having Pathfinders directly use Training Circular 3-21.5 and its previous iterations (e.g., FM 22-5) for training would expose younger Pathfinders to what the church wants to avoid, firearms. This created an issue of trying to avoid the Army manual and yet still use it. A delicate balance that wasn’t working well.
The Search
There are a few Pathfinders who have created D&C training materials for the activity over the years, but these materials, while good attempts, did not cover the necessary bases. What was needed was in-depth expertise and that when the SEC began looking.
A Pathfinder here in Florida, Leanna, worked at Florida Air Academy as a TAC officer (it is no longer a military school). She spoke to the AFJROTC instructors at the school and wondered if some of the cadets could come and teach her Pathfinders. She and the instructors spoke about her goals for the training and they suggested she contact me (I was volunteering at the school at the time). We met and I began to teach.
At first, I was working with a handful of Pathfinders who were eager to work with others and spread their newfound knowledge. We worked straight from TC 3-21.5 as I taught marching concepts and moved into flag protocols, and even some exhibition drill. The training was working well and Leanna, with the blessing of the SEC leadership, added to our mission: a training manual, one written for the SEC that is also applicable to every Pathfinder in the USA. Since I’ve already written several books, this seemed like the natural progression. It took months of research, writing, rewriting, meetings, input, more writing- you get the idea. It was a massive work.
I used a rough draft of the book and created online training through Google Classroom for most of the chapters of the book. More success! Eventually, what was supposed to be a year’s worth of work turned into three years and the culmination of a book that explains everything a Pathfinder needs at every single level of training, including “Pathfinder Standards”. I discussed these specific standards with Leanna with the goal of helping Pathfinders, both very young and old. These standards define requirements of Pathfinders with disabilities, marching tempo, step size, and a couple other things.
Four versions later, a manual is born. Not only that, but several Pathfinders are DrillMaster Certified Drill Specialists for the SEC.
What the Manual is Not
It’s not a quick fix. You won’t be able to start your Pathfinder meeting by opening to page one for the first time and begin working with others. That’s not going to work at all. You don’t need access to online videos to see how to do this or that, you need to make time (not FIND time, MAKE IT), sit down, and being reading. Instant information is not always conducive to good training and does not aid in information retention.
What the Manual is
A study text. The manual is laid out as a natural progression. As an example: General Information, that you need to know before anything else; Formations, from the small club with a squad, to larger clubs, and on to parades and more; Club Meeting Formations, gives you complete information on how to use the formation during a meeting, and The Command Voice, provides guidance on properly calling commands. Do you want guidance for a Pathfinder funeral? It’s in there. Do you want to learn how to write exhibition drill for having some fun with your club? It’s in there (and here too). Do you want to know how to judge a drill and ceremonies competition? Yes, that’s also in there too.
There’s a Pathfinder Chain of Command and a list of responsibilities from the Youth Director all the way down to the brand new young Pathfinder on his or her first day. This manual, just like anything else that is worthwhile, needs the sweat of your brow to moisten the dry parts (let’s face it, the book is all about D&C, and will not be on a best seller list like some riveting novel). As a Pathfinder leader, you have responsibilities to lead others in many different ways and one of those ways is through D&C. The manual requires work. You are to be prepared to lead and teach others and this book can help you achieve that.
A teaching guide. The book is 6′ x 9″ and can fit in a cargo pocket. There is space on almost every page to write your notes. Use the book while teaching as a guide for what to teach and use your notes for how to teach the contents.
I offer this book with humble gratitude to the SEC and the other Pathfinders of the United States of America.
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The Why of the Color Guard: Joint Armed Forces Flags
Terms
Joint Service. For short, the term is usually, “joint service” when talking about two or more military services forming a color guard. However, to be clear, Joint Armed Forces ensures we are talking about the military since there are also two other uniformed services (officers only), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Public Health.
Color. A color or colors is a flag. The term organizational colors and organizational flag mean the same thing.
Departmental Flag (a DrillMaster term). All military flags are organizational flags. For example, the US Army flag (image at right) is an organizational flag. However, we need to ensure our terms are specific because a unit flag (shown below) to further our example, is also an Army organizational flag and would not be appropriate to carry in any joint armed forces color guard since all service personnel are supposed to be represented.
The Marine Corps has an interesting situation, all unit organizational colors look just like the departmental colors except for the wording on the bottom scroll, but unit flags, just like the Army example above, would not be authorized to be carried in a joint colors situation. Only the USMC departmental flag is authorized when carried with other service colors since the Marine carrying the flag is representing the entire service.
Battle Streamers
When one service does not have access to service battle streamers, no other service should carry their departmental with battle streamers. This should not have to be stated, but it does. battle streamers are made of silk and a full set is very expensive. Not every unit is going to have the ability to keep a set on hand.
Active Duty Joint Armed Forces
Joint active duty color guards follow guidance set forth in TC 3-21.5 or MCO 5060.20, depending on the senior service present. Guidance states that the American flag and the departmental flags are carried. Can another flag be added? No. Why not? Because we look to manuals to find out what we are authorized to do, not a list of what we cannot do, which would be endless.
DoD Directive 1005.8, Order of Precedence of US Armed Forces; TC 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies; MCO 5060.20, Drill and Ceremonies; and AFI 34-1201, Protocol, all state the order of the services and the latter three manuals tell us each service flag is carried by a service member from that service. The right rifle guard and American flag bearer are Soldiers and the left rifle guard is a Marine. Interestingly, DoD Instruction 5410.19 Vol 4 (2021), tells us that a single service can carry all service flags.
No Other Flag
Here is the reasoning. The US military serves the United States of America and that’s why the American flag is present. Each service that is represented, carries it’s departmental flag. The services are not “under” any other authority, they serve the nation. The Army Training Circular, Marine Corps Order, and Air Force Instruction all tell us joint armed forces color guard member order and that means only those colors are carried. Hold that thought as you read on.
For complete information on joint service order, read this article.
National Guard Joint Armed Forces
The Army and Air Force have National Guard units in all states and several US territories. These Soldiers and Airmen can form a color guard that represents both services (total force) and carry the departmental flags or, they can carry their respective National Guard organizational flags for each service and represent only the Army and Air National Guards. Logically taking this one step further, the National Guard-only color guard could carry the state flag and represent the Army and Air National Guard members from that state only. The state flag would be carried by either service. This would be appropriate when rendering honors in the state especially with the Governor present.
Single-service NG color guards would be the same, but without the sister service.
Reserve Joint Armed Forces
The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard all have Reserve units. Since Reserve units are at the federal level and not state, their color guards would fall under the Active Duty guidelines above.
Single-Service Bearers with Joint Flags
Yes, a single service is authorized to carry other service flags. This comes from DoDI 5410.19 Volume 4, 29 September 2021. Not all service flags must be carried. It’s a good idea, but not mandatory.
Which Flag For the Anthem?
I received such a great question this morning that I had to create an article from it.
The Question
Greetings, I am the parent of a high school varsity football player. At this seasons first game, I noticed that during the presentation of the colors by the school’s JROTC and the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, half the team/audience was looking at the flag pole at the end of the field and half at the color guard on the field. I searched the internet and could not find an answer and hope you would respond to this question. Where should the team and audience direct their attention when a color guard is presenting the colors during the playing of the national anthem?
The Answer
Sir, this is a very good question. The answer is facing either flag is “correct”. However, what the color guard is doing is called a formal presentation of the colors. It is more appropriate to face the flag that the color guard is presenting since the whole purpose of the team to be there is to present the flag.
I suggest having the announcer say something like this, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors and the Star-Spangled Banner and direct your attention to the XYZ color guard at center field/court.” XYZ would be “the Tiger Battalion” or other identifier associated with the color guard.
Who is Authorized Military Funeral Honors?
The references for this article are the National Defense Authorization Act of 2000, Public Law 106-65 section 578, and DoDI 4515.19. MFH = Military Funeral Honors.
Standards
This is an extract from DoDI 4515.19.
POLICY.
a. Support for congressional funerals will be provided, as appropriate and as authorized by law, upon request from Congressional leadership or where necessary to carry out DoD duties and responsibilities.
b. Former member of Congress (herein after referred to as “Member”) who are military veterans and meet the criteria in section 1491 of Title 10, United States Code are authorized military funeral honors pursuant to DoD Instruction 1300.15; a former member who is not a veteran is not entitled to military funeral honors. (emphasis mine)
There is no exemption, no “but in this case”. When a member of Congress dies in office and the body will lie in state, the joint service pallbearers carrying the casket into and out of the Capitol building seems quite appropriate, but that’s it. The casket is shipped back to the state he/she represented and state police can take over from there. The same goes for state elected government officials. If one is not a veteran of the US military, no MFH.
The same DoD Instruction was applied here. Senator Orrin Hatch was not authorized MFH. https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/2022/05/10/letter-orrin-hatch-was/
Standards
The following is the text of Public Law 106-65, Section 578 under Subtitle J—Other Matters. This is the Defense Authorization Act that created the requirement that all military who died on Active Duty, retirees, and veterans receive MFH. This began it all that sent base and post honor guards scrambling for a few years to try to catch up to the demand.
SEC. 578. FUNERAL HONORS DETAILS FOR FUNERALS OF VETERANS.
(a) RESPONSIBILITY OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.—(1) Subsection
(a) of section 1491 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a) AVAILABILITY OF FUNERAL HONORS DETAIL ENSURED.—
The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, upon request, a funeral honors detail is provided for the funeral of any veteran.’’.
(2) Section 1491(a) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to funerals that occur after December 31, 1999.
(b) COMPOSITION OF FUNERAL HONORS DETAILS.—(1) Subsection
(b) of such section is amended—
Applicability. Effective date. 10 USC 1491 note.
(A) by striking ‘‘HONOR GUARD DETAILS.—’’ and inserting
‘‘FUNERAL HONORS DETAILS.—(1)’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘an honor guard detail’’ and inserting ‘‘a
funeral honors detail’’; and
(C) by striking ‘‘not less than three persons’’ and all that
follows and inserting ‘‘two or more persons.’’.
(2) Subsection (c) of such section is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘(c) PERSONS FORMING HONOR GUARDS.—
An honor guard detail’’ and inserting ‘‘(2) At least two members of the funeral honors detail for a veteran’s funeral shall be members of the armed forces, at least one of whom shall be a member of the armed force of which the veteran was a member. The remainder of the detail’’; and
(B) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: ‘‘Each member of the armed forces in the detail shall wear the uniform of the member’s armed force while serving in the detail.’’.
(c) CEREMONY, SUPPORT, AND WAIVER.—Such section is further amended—
(1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsections:
‘‘(c) CEREMONY.—A funeral honors detail shall, at a minimum, perform at the funeral a ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag and presentation of the flag to the veteran’s family and the playing of Taps. Unless a bugler is a member of the detail, the funeral honors detail shall play a recorded version
of Taps using audio equipment which the detail shall provide if adequate audio equipment is not otherwise available for use at the funeral.
‘‘(d) SUPPORT.—To provide a funeral honors detail under this section, the Secretary of a military department may provide the following:
‘‘(1) Transportation, or reimbursement for transportation, and expenses for a person who participates in the funeral honors detail and is not a member of the armed forces or an employee of the United States.
‘‘(2) Materiel, equipment, and training for members of a veterans organization or other organization referred to in subsection (b)(2).
‘‘(e) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may waive any requirement provided in or pursuant to this section when the Secretary considers it necessary to do so to meet the requirements of war, national emergency, or a contingency operation or other military requirements. The authority to make such a waiver may not be delegated to an official of a military department other than the Secretary of the military department and may not be delegated within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to an official at a level below Under Secretary of Defense.
‘‘(2) Before or promptly after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit a notification of the waiver to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.’’.
(d) REGULATIONS.—Subsection (f) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1), is amended to read as follows:
Notification.
‘‘(f) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Those regulations shall include the following:
‘‘(1) A system for selection of units of the armed forces and other organizations to provide funeral honors details.
‘‘(2) Procedures for responding and coordinating responses to requests for funeral honors details.
‘‘(3) Procedures for establishing standards and protocol.
‘‘(4) Procedures for providing training and ensuring quality of performance.’’.
(e) INCLUSION OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE IN PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNERAL HONORS.—Subsection (h) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1), is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(h) VETERAN DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘veteran’ means a decedent who—
‘‘(1) served in the active military, naval, or air service (as defined in section 101(24) of title 38) and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable; or
‘‘(2) was a member or former member of the Selected Reserve described in section 2301(f) of title 38.’’.
(f) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT VOLUNTARY SERVICES.—Section 1588(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(4) Voluntary services as a member of a funeral honors detail under section 1491 of this title.’’.
(g) DUTY STATUS OF RESERVES IN FUNERAL HONORS DETAILS.—
(1) Section 114 of title 32, United States Code, is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘honor guard functions’’ both places it appears and inserting ‘‘funeral honors functions’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘drill or training otherwise required’’ and inserting ‘‘drill or training, but may be performed as funeral honors duty under section 115 of this title’’.
(2) Chapter 1 of such title is amended by adding at the end
the following new section: ‘‘§ 115. Funeral honors duty performed as a Federal function ‘‘(a) ORDER TO DUTY.—A member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States may be ordered to funeral honors duty, with the consent of the member, to prepare for or perform funeral honors functions at the funeral of a veteran under section 1491 of title 10. However, a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States may not be ordered to perform funeral honors functions under this section without the consent of the Governor or other appropriate authority of the State concerned.
‘‘(b) SERVICE CREDIT.—A member ordered to funeral honors duty under this section shall be required to perform a minimum of two hours of such duty in order to receive—
‘‘(1) service credit under section 12732(a)(2)(E) of title 10; and
‘‘(2) if authorized by the Secretary concerned, the allowance under section 435 of title 37.
‘‘(c) REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES.—A member who performs funeral honors duty under this section may be reimbursed for travel and transportation expenses incurred in conjunction with such duty as authorized under chapter 7 of title 37 if such duty is performed at a location 50 miles or more from the member’s residence.
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS.—The exercise of authority under subsection
(a) is subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.’’.
(3) Chapter 1213 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
‘‘§ 12503. Ready Reserve: funeral honors duty ‘‘(a) ORDER TO DUTY.—A member of the Ready Reserve may be ordered to funeral honors duty, with the consent of the member, in preparation for or to perform funeral honors functions at the funeral of a veteran as defined in section 1491 of this title.
‘‘(b) SERVICE CREDIT.—A member ordered to funeral honors duty under this section shall be required to perform a minimum of two hours of such duty in order to receive— ‘‘(1) service credit under section 12732(a)(2)(E) of this title; and ‘‘(2) if authorized by the Secretary concerned, the allowance under section 435 of title 37.
‘‘(c) REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES.—A member who performs funeral honors duty under this section may be reimbursed for travel and transportation expenses incurred in conjunction with such duty as authorized under chapter 7 of title 37 if such duty is performed at a location 50 miles or more from the member’s residence.
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS.—The exercise of authority under subsection
(a) is subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
‘‘(e) MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.—This section does not apply to members of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States. The performance of funeral honors duty by those members is provided for in section 115 of title 32.’’.
(4) Section 12552 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 12552. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans ‘‘Performance by a Reserve of funeral honors functions at the funeral of a veteran (as defined in section 1491(h) of this title) may not be considered to be a period of drill or training, but may be performed as funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title’’.
(h) CREDITING FOR RESERVE RETIREMENT PURPOSES.—(1) Section 12732(a)(2) of such title is amended—
(A) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph:
‘‘(E) One point for each day on which funeral honors duty is performed for at least two hours under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32, unless the duty is performed while in a status for which credit is provided under another subparagraph of this paragraph.’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘, and (D)’’ in the last sentence and inserting ‘‘, (D), and (E)’’.
(2) Section 12733 of such title is amended—
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
113 STAT. 629
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph (4):
‘‘(4) One day for each point credited to the person under subparagraph (E) of section 12732(a)(2) of this title.’’.
(i) BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS IN FUNERAL HONORS DUTY
STATUS.—(1) Section 1074a(a) of such title is amended—
(A) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2)—
(i) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (A);
(ii) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph
(B) and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(C) service on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32.’’; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(4) Each member of the armed forces who incurs or aggravates an injury, illness, or disease in the line of duty while remaining overnight immediately before serving on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32 at or in the vicinity of the place at which the member was to so serve, if the place is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member’s residence.’’.
(2) Section 1076(a)(2) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘‘(E) A member who died from an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while the member—
‘‘(i) was serving on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32;
‘‘(ii) was traveling to or from the place at which the member was to so serve; or
‘‘(iii) remained overnight at or in the vicinity of that place immediately before so serving, if the place is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member’s residence.’’.
(3) Section 1204(2) of such title is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (A);
(B) by inserting ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (B); and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘‘(C) is a result of an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated in line of duty—
‘‘(i) while the member was serving on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32;
‘‘(ii) while the member was traveling to or from the place at which the member was to so serve; or
‘‘(iii) while the member remained overnight at or in the vicinity of that place immediately before so serving, if the place is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member’s residence;’’.
(4) Paragraph (2) of section 1206 of such title is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(2) the disability is a result of an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated in line of duty—
‘‘(A) while—
‘‘(i) performing active duty or inactive-duty training;
‘‘(ii) traveling directly to or from the place at which such duty is performed; or
‘‘(iii) remaining overnight immediately before the commencement of inactive-duty training, or while remaining overnight between successive periods of inactive-duty training, at or in the vicinity of the site of the inactive-duty training, if the site is outside reasonable commuting distance of the member’s residence; or
‘‘(B) while the member—
‘‘(i) was serving on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32;
‘‘(ii) was traveling to or from the place at which the member was to so serve; or
‘‘(iii) remained overnight at or in the vicinity of that place immediately before so serving, if the place is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member’s residence;’’.
(5) Section 1481(a)(2) of such title is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (D);
(B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph
(E) and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘‘(F) either—
‘‘(i) serving on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32;
‘‘(ii) traveling directly to or from the place at which the member is to so serve; or
‘‘(iii) remaining overnight at or in the vicinity of that place before so serving, if the place is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member’s residence.’’.
(j) FUNERAL HONORS DUTY ALLOWANCE.—Chapter 4 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
‘‘§ 435. Funeral honors duty: allowance
‘‘(a) ALLOWANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary concerned may authorize payment of an allowance to a member of the Ready Reserve for any day on which the member performs at least two hours of funeral honors duty pursuant to section 12503 of title 10 or section 115 of title 32.
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The daily rate of an allowance under this section is $50.
‘‘(c) FULL COMPENSATION.—Except for expenses reimbursed under subsection (c) of section 12503 of title 10 or subsection (c) of section 115 of title 32, the allowance paid under this section is the only monetary compensation authorized to be paid a member for the performance of funeral honors duty pursuant to such section, regardless of the grade in which the member is serving, and shall constitute payment in full to the member.’’.
(k) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—(1) The heading for section 1491 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 1491. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans’’.
(2)(A) The item relating to section 1491 in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 75 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘1491. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans.’’.
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1213 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
‘‘12503. Ready Reserve: funeral honors duty.’’.
(C) The item relating to section 12552 in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1215 of such title is amended to read as follows:
‘‘12552. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans.’’.
(3)(A) The heading for section 114 of title 32, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘§ 114. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans’’.
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 114 and inserting the following new items:
‘‘114. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans.
‘‘115. Funeral honors duty performed as a Federal function.’’.
(4) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 4 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
‘‘435. Funeral honors duty: allowance.’’
Standards
We need to stop working from emotion and trying to make things “ceremonialer” just because. Protocol and standards are slipping away, even being ignored in some cases. We have laws, regulations, and instructions in place for a reason. Let’s follow them.
Modifying a Harness Socket
Some of my Certified US Ceremonial Guardsmen in Pennsylvania decided to get to work and modify their sockets. This modification is necessary, in my view, if you cannot obtain a better (metal cup) socket.
Why this Type of Socket Was Created
Law enforcement officers wear a duty belt usually made of leather, it’s part of their duty and dress uniforms. Even when taking part in ceremonies where one might think a weapon is not needed, they wear their duty belt. Many officers have two belts, one for daily wear and one for ceremonial-type wear often made of Clarino, a type of shiny patent leather.
On the belt are the necessary things required for the job including one or two pair of handcuffs in pouches, a radio pouch, their sidearm holster, magazine holster, and possibly other things. It’s heavy to say the least. Add to this a shoulder strap (used in the military to support wearing a sword, for LEOs, it can support the sidearm) that some departments include and there is not much room for a standard color bearer harness.
Now, after all that, add a color bearer harness as pictured above. In some ways it’s just not going to work very well and that is why this adaptation to a popular (because it’s cheaper) harness was made.
At left is the harness and an adaptation with a belt. The top image is the double harness. “Double” because of the straps. Having the bottom of each strap attach to the socket frame is not good at all for balance. The bottom image is an adaptation putting the socket on a belt.
The socket frame looks like a badge and I can see the attractiveness here. But these sockets are poor. The floor of the socket is flat plastic and the ferrule of a guidon flagstaff slides around. There’s no solid placement for the ferrule (and they look cheap) and that’s why I absolutely do not like them. I much prefer the sockets you see in the collage of the Better Colors Harnesses above.
The Adjustable Belt Socket
Now we come to the version that helps unclutter the LEO who has a duty belt with a shoulder strap. This socket attaches onto the front of the belt with the leather loops that have snaps and is adjustable, but just a tiny amount.
It’s this type of socket that created the need for the adjustable length (telescopic) aluminum flagstaff (yet another thing I do not appreciate in the least, again, it looks cheap, and is).
This is the socket that was modified. The team that uses them, Pennsylvania State Troopers (my awesome trainees), is experimenting with wearing the Clarino harness, but in the interim, they have modified these sockets and the modification is outstanding.
How to Modify
Below is the test of the process that Trooper Greg Brown developed.
The washer is absolutely secured as the glue cured very well.
- Used a 3/4″ drill bit to make the hole.
- Cleaned up the rough rough edges.
- Cleaned the inside of cup and the 5/8″ washer w/ alcohol
- Applied painters tape under the hole to prevent glue from running out
- Applied Loctite Super Glue to the inside bottom of the socket & bottom side of washer, then also around outside edge of washer to seal against the inside wall of the socket.
- Flipped the socket upside down & applied glue to the joint where cup & washer meet.
- Cured for at least 24 hrs.
From the front, you cannot tell a hole was drilled. Only “issue” is that the washer is not beveled downward towards the hole like that of the harness we like, thus you don’t get any assistance with seating the ferrule. You need to make sure it’s properly seated. It can be done but will just take practice to develop the muscle memory…otherwise I feel its a great alternative for people who 1) can’t afford the higher-end harnesses or 2) have issues with proper harness wear (like we do with our rigs).