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.
The “Missing” Guards of the USMC Mounted Color Guard
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.
When Emotional Backlash Is Mistaken for Critique
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.
A Leadership Problem in ROTC Training
Recently, a senior ROTC cadet reached out with a familiar situation. He was told that facing movements cannot be executed in a color guard.
Military Veteran Salute Protocol
I recently received a message and then several more asking for guidance as a veteran on when to salute. So, here is the information.
Dipping the National Flagstaff
I have posted about this situation at Texas A&M and have even received the response, “But it’s not a salute.”
A Caution For Navy Massed Flag Formations: Expressive Movement and Guards
After researching Navy doctrine, I have made several discoveries and am now beginning to answer some of the questions I have had for many years. The two questions this article answers are 1) Is the “artful pageantry” of the state and territory flag formations at Navy Boot Camp (RTC Great Lakes) appropriate and, 2) are the rifle guards that the …
When “It Doesn’t Matter” Becomes the Standard: A Leadership Problem in ROTC
Over the years, I’ve had the same conversation with cadets again and again. It usually starts with a simple question
Navy Massed State and Territory Colors Formations
At the Boot Camp training base, RTC Great Lakes, and at the Navy Ceremonial Guard in DC, Sailors carry the states and territories in one or two massed formations. Recruit Training Command Great Lakes and the Navy Ceremonial Guard both routinely display massed State and Territory flags in one or two large formations carried by Sailors. These are Flag Display …
The Flag Detail’s Job is at the Flagpole
There is a misunderstanding that keeps showing up in morning colors and evening colors ceremonies: people see a flag being raised or lowered and folded, and an immediately thought is that the Flag Detail is a color guard, the flag fold is exactly like a funeral honors team, or that the ceremony can take place at a better position for all to see.