The term “Joint Civic/Armed Forces Color Guard” sounds official. It sounds inclusive, cooperative, and appropriate for a major public event.
It is none of those things.
The 8.5lb Elephant in the Room: Armed Exhibition, Teenage Bodies, and Long-Term Damage
Armed exhibition drill has been part of military drill for decades. It is exciting, demanding, and when performed well, it shows timing, confidence, coordination, control, and strength. But we need to address the health aspect of an 8.5-pound rifle repeatedly slamming into a teenage body because that is what the activity often rewards. That is the problem. The M1903 rifle, …
One Casket, One Flag: Do Not Combine Flags
I recently saw an image of a casket with the U.S. flag and the Texas flag folded in half and laid on top together. That is not a minor mistake. It’s a complete breakdown of ceremonial understanding.
Examination of the “Civil Peace Flag”
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, …
Navy Protocol – What Side Boys Need to Know
You are preparing for a Navy Ceremony and need to know where to look for guidance. This article is for you.
Footwear and Lacing: The Overlooked Source of Preventable Injury in Military Training
For decades, military environments have accepted foot pain as normal.
It is not.
The Misuse of Military Customs in Civilian Settings
Here’s why the appropriation of military traditions in civilian settings can be problematic and why it does not necessarily enhance patriotism.
Why Standards Attract Hostility
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.
Army and Marine Corps Mounted Ceremony Is Not Dismounted Doctrine on Horses
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.