Educating the Military Drill World
Joint military displays are governed not by location or uniform, but by service ownership of the colors and joint-service hierarchy rules. Below is the doctrinal reason, the governing principle, and the correct application for joint displays on a Navy installation or by a Navy-only color guard.
The Joint Service Exhibition Drill Competition held this past weekend brought together the service exhibition drill teams.
A recent parade performance by members of the Guardia Civil of Spain highlights a recurring issue in ceremonial presentation: the belief that increased intensity, applied continuously, improves performance.
Una reciente presentación en desfile por parte de la Guardia Civil pone en evidencia un problema recurrente en la ejecución ceremonial: la creencia de que aumentar la intensidad de forma constante mejora el resultado.
I wanted to explain the two types of doctrinal authority in the US military and use the flag spreader debate as a case study.
The Navy does not have protocol specialists assigned to units like the Army, Air Force, and Space Force do. That’s understandable since protocol is not necessary at sea a majority of the time. However, giving this responsibility to a Petty Officer aboard ship as an extra duty without the Navy providing clear guidance is a recipe for problems.
Across the country, cadet programs and organizations are facing a common restriction:uniforms cannot be worn. For many, this has created uncertainty: Let’s be clear: Yes, you can still present the Colors.No, the standard has not changed. The Misconception There is a growing assumption that without the uniform, the rules relax. They do not. The uniform is a supporting element. It …
One of the most persistent misconceptions I encounter is the statement:
“A flagstaff is just a flagstaff.”
This idea usually appears when someone is using a silver aluminum or gold telescoping pole and attempts to justify it for a military color guard.
At first glance, the logic seems simple: if it holds a flag, it should be acceptable.
That logic is incorrect.
In recent years, an increasing number of Air Force color guard performances—particularly within Technical School, the United States Air Force Academy, and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps—have shown a consistent pattern: movements that appear deliberate and “ceremonial,” yet are fundamentally incorrect within their training environment.
This article is written as a thought-leadership piece designed to bridge the gap between respect for first responders and the non-negotiable standards of military protocol. Its goal is not to diminish anyone’s service, but to defend institutional identity and restore ritual integrity in public ceremonies.
I have a story for you. It’s a true story that has a little embellishment with fictional names. The quote comes from the father of a cadet.