Educating the Military Drill World
A DrillMaster Research Memorandum Date: April 21, 2026 I. Purpose This memorandum evaluates the claim that the United States maintains two distinct national flags: The objective is to determine whether any such “peace flag” is supported by statutory law, executive authority, military regulation, or historical precedent, and to identify the origin of the claim. If we have such a flag, …
You are preparing for a Navy Ceremony and need to know where to look for guidance. This article is for you.
For decades, military environments have accepted foot pain as normal.
It is not.
Here’s why the appropriation of military traditions in civilian settings can be problematic and why it does not necessarily enhance patriotism.
Anyone who works to establish clear standards—especially in a field that has grown informal, inconsistent, or myth-driven—will eventually encounter hostility. Not disagreement. Not thoughtful critique. Hostility.
A recent post of the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard on Instagram showed something few may have seen before, and I received a question about it. The photo showed only the mounted color bearers carrying the national and the Marine Corps colors without guards.
In any field that involves evaluation, instruction, or standards, disagreement is inevitable—and healthy. Legitimate critique improves systems, sharpens thinking, and exposes error. Emotional backlash does none of these things, yet the two are frequently confused.
Recently, a senior ROTC cadet reached out with a familiar situation. He was told that facing movements cannot be executed in a color guard.
I recently received a message and then several more asking for guidance as a veteran on when to salute. So, here is the information.
I have posted about this situation at Texas A&M and have even received the response, “But it’s not a salute.”