AFMAN 36-2203 Problems?

DrillMaster March 10, 2020 DrillCenter News Leave a Comment

After the USAF was created as its own uniformed service on September 18, 1947, it went from using Army Regulations to writing and using its own. When it came to drill and ceremonies, the newly created service looked at the Marine Corps and Army drill manuals and chose from what it considered the best from each (most from the MCO). One thing the USAF eventually left out (beginning in approximately the 1970s) was the manual of arms for the rifle. Why? Because the Army and Marine Corps had already accomplished that task and Airmen did not have a daily use for rifles like Soldiers and Marines. We march, have military parades, color guards, and change of command ceremonies, so the USAF creating a drill and ceremonies manual with specifics for the Element, Flight, Squadron, Group, and Wing, was logical.

The History of AFMAN 36-2203

AFM 50-14

I have Air Force’s drill and ceremonies manual hard copies from

AFM 50-14, Sept 1953 (the first version!)
AFM 50-14, Jun 1956
AFM 50-14, Jan 15, 1963
AFM 50-14, Nov 25, 1963
AFMAN 36-2203, Jun 3, 1996 with Change 1, 24 September 2007

Digital copies:

AFR 50-14, 3 Jan 1992
AFMAN 36-2203, 3 Jun 1996 (no Change 1)
20 Nov 2013
19 Jun 2018

The versions that I am aware were published but I do not have:

AFM 50-14, 4 Jan 1960
AFR 50-14, 20 Apr 1985

The copies from the 1950s have a complete manual of arms section featuring the M1 Garand using Army techniques (fingers wrapped at the small of the stock) and Marine Corps techniques (Present without going to Port and grip on the stock at Shoulder). However, both guards of a color guard were armed with sidearms because most teams were manned solely by Air Police. This is where we get the traditional pistol/web belt requirement for the guards and the colors harness without the belt for the color bearers. Look at the right arm holds the flagstaff. Notice the flag and staff size.

Not much changed in 1956 except that the guards don’t have their hands cupped for some reason. Still, the right arms are holding the flagstaffs at Carry.

In the picture from the 1956, spacing is a bit wide, in 1953, our color guard started to conform to Close Interval. However, there isn’t any guidance for the team’s spacing.

In the manuals from 1963, we see a much more elaborate description of how the color guard is formed and more information on the manual of the staff. Notice in the pictures below that the right arm is still holding the staff and we now have the horizontal right forearm. Even though the manual now states that the team will form at Close Interval, spacing is a bit mixed up depending on the position of the team (Carry, Order, etc.).

1996 and a New Title

The 1996 Version replaced AFR (Air Force Regulation) 50-14 of 1992. We now have the first AFMAN 36-2203. The team is now, wrongly, shoulder-to-shoulder even though the text states the team will form at Close Interval. In each picture, the right hand is still the only one authorized to hold the staff.

Notice the flag size in the pictures below. The 8′ staffs are only supposed to have 3’x4′ flags mounted on them according to AFI 34-1201. Historically, these teams so far have met the standards.

See the improper grip (Marine Corps Strong Grip) by the American flag bearer? This manual was the standard until it incorporated Change 1 in 2007. The version with Change 1 was then the standard until 2013.

Initially, the manual did not have guidance on spacing and then guidance was developed in the 1960s. In 2013, we throw in a huge discrepancy.

Welcome to 2013

Now we see, frankly, a ridiculous display. The staffs here are 8′ and the flags are 4’4″x5’6″. This isn’t authorized, see AFI 34-1201. The larger flag is mounted on the taller staff only.

Again, the team is not at Close Interval, which is mandated at the beginning of the colors chapter.

Now, we come to an egregious error that has caused quite a bit of contention. Out of the clear blue sky, the color bearers, for some unknown reason, are holding the staffs with the left hand while at Carry.

Let’s logically think about this. There is not reason to use the left hand-only carry technique. Nowhere in USAF, Army, or Marine Corps history can I find any color guard that ever utilized it.

7.33.2. Positions of the Flag at the Carry. At the carry, the ferrule of the staff rests in the socket of the sling. The flag bearer grasps the staff with the right hand at the height of the shoulder, only using the left hand to steady the staff in a strong wind. The staff is inclined slightly to the front. (Emphasis mine)
AFMAN 36-2203 (2013)

The rifles on the outside shoulder require Airmen and cadets to use the guard techniques in the colors section of MCO 5060.20.

Here’s another problem to consider. Every picture shows the team shoulder-to-shoulder and then, BAM! you magically obtain spacing when the team executes Parade Rest.

2018 – Fixed! Not.

Whew! That was a close one! Wait a minute. That mistake with using the picture of having the color bearers use the left hand at carry is less expensive to fix if you just change the wording!

7.33.2. Positions of the Flag at the Carry. At the carry, the ferrule of the staff rests in the socket of the sling. The flag bearer grasps the staff with the left hand at the height of the shoulder, only using the right hand to steady the staff in a strong wind. The staff is inclined slightly to the front. (Emphasis mine)
AFMAN 36-2203 (2018)

Conclusion

As you can clearly see there are issues with the Air Force Drill and Ceremonies Manual that can be easily fixed. We do not gold the staff with the left hand and we definitely don’t just throw that out on a whim without serious repercussions.

Let’s fix this now. For good.

The OPR (Office of Primary Responsibility) for the AFMAN is AF/A1S and it was certified by SAF/MR. Here is an easy list of errors to fix:

All formation pictures must have the team at Close Interval.
Only the right hand holds the flagstaff.
The 8′ staffs must only have 3’x4′ flags mounted on them.
While still using USAF techniques pictured in the AFMAN:
- Explain that the MCO must be used for the guards since they have the rifles on the outside shoulder. This is not determined by the type of rifle.
Explain that an armed flight (probably only ROTC/JROTC) follows the Army’s TC.

AFMAN 36-2203 “Does not Promote Success”

DrillMaster March 3, 2020 Color Guard/Color Team, Commentary, Instructional 2 Comments

Originally posted in Novemeber of 2016, this is an update and the first of a three-part series.

While there are a couple other definitions of success, they don’t fit our purpose which is learning and effectively executing military drill. Here is my preferred definition.

Success: the accomplishment of an aim or purpose
m-w.com

Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 36-2203 is the US Air Force’s drill and ceremonies manual. The quoted text in the title is what an individual wrote to me. That individual wrote for a certain “training” organization, we can then take this statement to be the official position for that organization. Actually, the statement was, “The AFMAN simply doesn’t set one up for success by design”, but that was too long for the title of this article and is an absolute misstatement if there ever was one.

We can infer from this ignorant statement that this individual (and the organization) believes that the US Air Force purposefully wrote the AFMAN to be so vague so as to not allow for successful completion of the mission. The mission here being learning and effectively executing military drill. Of course, I do not believe that for one instant as that is a ludicrous premise! Allow me to refute this unfounded claim.

First, just for fun, let’s read the first paragraph of AFMAN 36-2203 (2013) and then we will proceed with the refutation.

1.1.1. This manual includes most Air Force needs in drill and ceremonies, but it does not cover every situation that may arise. For unusual situations, using good judgment and taking into account the purpose of the movement or procedure can often provide the solution.
1.1.2. Units or organizations required to drill under arms will use the procedures in US Army Field Manual 22-5 [DM: Training Circular 3-21.5], Drill and Ceremonies, SECNAV 5060.22 [DM: Marine Corps Order P5060.20], Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, or Air Force Academy Cadet Wing Manual 50-5. The types of weapon used will determine the appropriate manual.
AFMAN 36-2203 (2013)

It’s like the Air Force designed the manual to be used with other manuals instead of reinventing the wheel. Imagine that. The AFMAN dictates beginning and ending positions, the TC and MCO tell us how to go to and from those positions. As an example: the MCO tells us how to move the rifles to and from the outside/outboard shoulder for a color guard. Likewise, the TC tells us how to move the flagstaffs and, when necessary, we use USAF guidon techniques (uncasing and casing colors). Even though we use both of these other two manuals, we still must adhere to the hand and arm positions dictated by the AFMAN.

A Little History
I spent 20 years in the Air Force (85-05) and for four years before that, I was a member of my high school’s AFJROTC program. In my high school days (79-83), we had to learn AFM 50-14, Drill and Ceremonies, the contents of which has not changed much since then.

What do Airmen do for rifle information? We have copies of FM 22-5 and use the manual of arms there for any Armed Flight drill. Today, the pictures in the AFMAN include guards armed with rifles. However, the pictures only show technique for Order, Parade Rest, Right Shoulder (Carry), and Attention. What has never been a concern is how to get the rifle from one position to the other. Why? Because we use the MCO for transitional techniques, but we use the beginning and ending position techniques of the AFMAN.

Click here: Following the Army’s Drill Manual for all Services

Disparaging the AFMAN or any other service manual only shows a peculiar unawareness of the concept of military drill standards. JROTC teams need to learn, perfect, and march their service manual. Let them do so.

Cadets, start reading instead of trying to gain your knowledge from this year’s seniors who were taught by last year’s seniors, etc., etc.

DrillMaster Video Critiques

DrillMaster February 25, 2020 Color Guard/Color Team, DrillCenter News, DrillMaster Performance Critiques, Judging Leave a Comment

As a trained visual adjudicator (see my About page) I have been continuing to train in pageantry arts judging and implementing it slowly but surely into the Military Drill World. I’ve been making audio critiques for many years for drill teams, color guards, and soloists ad now I’ve moved into video.

In January 2020, I began critiquing video from drill meets that individuals began sending to me. You can see that YouTube playlist here:

In February 2020 I was invited to judge at the Oklahoma State JROTC Drill Championship. I judged Unarmed Colors (“Unarmed” is a category, but a description of the color guard) and Unarmed Exhibition. What a great day it was! I asked each team commander or their instructor if they wanted a video critique. You can imagine the blank and questioning looks and I completely understood. After a couple of explanations, I received enthusiastic responses.

To each of the JROTC instructors at the competition: Thank you so much for taking a leap of faith and letting some guy in a solid blue uniform talk about their cadets’ performance. It turns out that many instructors and cadets learned quite a bit about color guard and unarmed exhibition. You can see those videos here:

There were several performances in both categories that I judged that do not have a video. That’s because I would have a cell phone handed to me from an instructor or I would stand next to a cadet who was recording the performance. Those who did not have someone recording the colors competition, I pulled out my phone. For the Unarmed Exhibition performances, I used my phone for each.

Innovation in Education – is Key!

All About The Flag

DrillMaster February 18, 2020 Ask DrillMaster, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

This article used to be All About Flag Sizes that I wrote back in 2013 but I felt it needed expanding.

Nomenclature

The Outside Flag

Garrison: 20′ x 38′
Post flag: 8′ 11 3/8″ x 17′ (Army) and 10′ x 19′ (MC/N/CG)
Field flag: 6’8″ x 12′ (Army)
Storm flag: 5′ x 9’6″ (Army) and 5′ x 9′ (MC/N/CG)
Internment flag: 5′ x 9’6″ (use cotton only!)
boat flag: 3′ x 4′ (3′ x 5′)
Ensign: 2′ 4 7/16″ x 4’6″

The Indoor-Outdoor Flag

Indoor-Outdoor/ceremonial display (pole hem, with or without fringe): 3′ x 4′ and 4’4″ x 5’6″

Fringe

A flag does not have fringe when it is flown from a stationary (at right) or mounted pole (just below). These are outside flags and are never fringed.

A flag for a color guard has fringe and is what a color team carries and presents or posts. The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard do not have fringe on the National Ensign.

Joint Color Guard with Indoor-Outdoor Flags (pole hems)

The Army and Air Force require fringe on all flags. The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard forbid fringe on the national but require fringe on the departmental and organizational.

Now we come to the ceremonial requirement for (pictured below). Except for American-only colors formations, none of the national flags carried by the honor guards in DC have fringe because some other countries don’t allow fringe on their flags or have fringe that looks like shag carpet. International agreements dictated that, in situations like this, all national flags will not have fringe (UN & NATO). In international situations here in the US, no fringe on any national flag, regardless of the service.

Joint Cordon Arrival Ceremony (No fringe on the national flags)

Color Guard Flag Sizes

US flags: 3’ x 4’, 3’ x 5’, 4’4” x 5’6”
Departmental flags: 3’ x 5’ and 4’4″ x 5’6″
Military organizational flags: 3’ x 4’
General/Admiral flags: 3’ x 4’ and 3’ x 5’
JROTC organizational flags: 3’ x 4’
Civil Air Patrol flags: 3′ x 4′ or 3′ x 5′ 8 3/8″ (CAPR900-2 Section B)
Young marines: 3′ x 4′ or 4’4” x 5’6” (MCO 10520.3)
Sea Cadets: 3′ x 4′ or 4’4” x 5’6” (NTP 13 B)

State flags

US Army Regulation 840-10, Section 7-11 states that state flags shall be 3′ x 4′ or 4’4″ x 5’6″. However, one question that DeVaughn Simper of Colonial Flag receives from National Guard is: which guidance do they follow? the AR or the State statute?” He refers them to their chain of command since that decision is usually handled by the state Adjutant General.

Each state has a different statute as to the legal size of the flag.
Utah: 3 ‘x 5’
New York: 3′ x 6′ (1:2 ratio)
Rhode Island: 3′ x 3.5′ (1:1.3 ratio)
Connecticut: 3′ x 3.8′ (1:1.3 ratio)

Mount and carry the smaller flags on eight-foot flagstaffs and the larger flags sizes on nine-foot six-inch flagstaffs. These are the only two sizes used by a military or military-type color teams, except the Air Force.

The USAF had the 10′ staff as the taller one, but a recent change in AFI 34-1201 has 9′ for the taller size. When posting colors, the AF recommends the 7′ staff (this size of staff is not authorized for any other colors situation).

Note: The US Army does not have a size restriction for staffs and flags. You will often see an Army color guard carrying the 9.5′ staff with 3′ x 4′ flags mounted. I think it looks a bit odd, but the flag material stays out of the team’s faces.

Now read up on All About the Color Guard Nomenclature of the American Flag, All About the Flagstaff, Flagstaff Ornaments, The Only Time the Spread Eagle is Used, How to Properly Mount a Flag on a Flagstaff, To Fringe or not to Fringe, that is the Question

A BIG thank you to DeVaughn Simper of Colonial Flag for helping with the flag size information!

The Arena/Rink Colors Presentation

DrillMaster February 11, 2020 Color Guard/Color Team Leave a Comment

The colors have been presented at rodeo and other horse riding events for decades with riders on horseback making a circuit around the arena and circling back to come to the center. The whole time keeping the colors in the proper order. Sometimes the the two color bearer riders are accompanied by unarmed guards on horseback. Other times it’s just the two color bearers. Either is fine.

The same thing goes for other unique colors presentations like a color guard on skates at a hockey game. This time, however, guards must accompany the colors per your service drill and ceremonies manual or, in the case of first responders, The Honor Guard Manual.

Carrying the colors out of order is inappropriate. As a guide, I created the above diagram to ensure proper carriage of the colors. The diagram below shows the color bearers turning on their respective initial sides and that puts the colors in the wrong position and must be avoided.

The Pallbearer Deck

DrillMaster February 4, 2020 Honor Guard Leave a Comment

Trussville Police and Fire Department
Certified United States Ceremonial Guardsmen

Firefighters use an apparatus (fire truck) as a caisson to transport the casketed remains of a fallen fellow firefighter. The hose bed is where the casket rests, but the hose bed, depending on the type of apparatus, can be quite high making it difficult to load and remove the casket. That’s where the Pallbearer Deck comes in.

Download the PDF directions by clicking here. If there is anything in the directions that I missed or should be added/changed, please let me know.

Firefighter Jesse Clifton of Trussville (AL) Fire Department and I talked about this in passing when I was there in 2019 training and certifying both the police and fire honor guard units. I finished teaching there, went to Missouri to teach for another week, visited Whiteman AFB Honor Guard and by the time I was headed back to Trussville, Jesse had bought the materials, created the plan in his head, and built the whole thing! The only information I provided was, “I think the deck should be ‘this’ big” after we had some of the trainees stand together. The only requirement for the deck was that I needed to be able to collapse it and fit it into my trailer.

Posting Other Organization’s Colors

DrillMaster January 21, 2020 Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

You may have come across this situation: You receive a call from a local organization asking for your color guard to post the colors at an event. What throws a bit of a wrench into the request is that the event coordinator wants you to post their colors. They have flags and stands and have dreamed up a big production with your team bringing in their colors.

Don’t.

Possible Scenarios

Your team arrives, goes to practice with the organization’s flags and you find that besides the American and state flags, there is a unique flag of the organization and maybe even a religious flag.
You find flags that have lived in the corners of an auditorium and the last time they were touched was June 29th, 1973. They are full of dust and have permanent creases from hanging there so long.
The flags won’t come out of the stands.
There are eight flags displayed in stands, but you are asked to post two or three. Plus, you don’t have the manpower to post all of them anyway.

Avoid Those Scenarios!

US military and cadet color guards cannot carry ANY OTHER FLAGS except what is outlined in your regs. In general that means only the US, (state, city, county – Army and USAF only), and military departmental and organizational flags. The purple heart group’s flag or the POW flag, anything like that, you cannot carry. These flags are not authorized in a military color guard.

For First responder color guards, I would use the exact same restrictions. You wear a uniform, represent that civil service, and nothing else.

But How?

The “Show-N-Go”.

Arrive at least one hour before the ceremony in travel/fall out uniform.
Leave the organization’s flags posted where they are.
Bring your set of colors.
Practice several times and ensure event organizer knows exactly what you are doing.
1. Event Organizers: the color guard will do their best to accommodate you, but they have strict guidelines and they will not deviate from them. As far as the event is concerned, the color guard commander is your color guard protocol expert and his decision is final.
Break from practice with enough time to change into your appropriate uniform.
At ten minutes prior to the event, setup at Stand at Ease/Parade Rest out of the way of the audience.
At the appointed time the MC says something like, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors.”
The color team enters at Right Shoulder/Carry, centers on and turns to the audience.
1. Entering from stage right: Every Left On.
2. Entering from stage left or executing the snake-in from the center aisle: Colors Turn On or Left Face.
Formally present the colors for the National Anthem (military colors do not dip for the Pledge).
1. Event Organizers: Either the Anthem or the Pledge, not both.
2. Play/sing the Anthem or recite the Pledge only after the color guard commander has given the command of Present Arms.
Go to the Port position to depart (do not leave at Right Shoulder/Carry as your flags are not longer the focus).
1. If exiting to stage right: Colors Turn Off or Right Face.
2. If exiting to stage left or up the center aisle: Every Left Off.
Pack up and change into travel/fall out uniform.
Receive accolades.
Depart for home.

Posting colors should be reserved for very special occasions. Retrieving the colors should be for extremely formal occasions only. Once you post the colors for a volleyball game, posting has lost its significance even though there’s nothing wrong with a volleyball game. Just present the colors, don’t post.

Formally presenting a second set of colors should be your team’s standard for the majority of colors details requests you receive.

How Many?

We will use two categories for posting the colors. Above, we fully developed External Posting except for the number of colors to post. External would be for an organization outside of yours.

Army and Air Force can post up to four flags: US, state/city/county, and departmental.
Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard can post two flags only: National ensign and departmental/organizational.
First Responders usually post US, state, and city/county.

Internal Posting would be for your organization with few, if any, outsiders.

Army and Air Force can post up to four flags: US, state/city/county, departmental, and organizational.
Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard can post two flags only: National ensign and departmental/organizational.
First Responders usually post US, state, city/county, and the department’s flag.

A note on posting: Bringing in two flags (for example) with other flags already posted is not the best situation. It’s not unheard of, but not the best thing to do. However, there is one caveat to this: Personal colors, General’s/Admiral’s and Senior Executive Office flags, are not carried and posted.

Sunglasses in Uniform

DrillMaster January 16, 2020 DrillCenter News Leave a Comment

When you have to carry an urn for a funeral but you have to look cool at the same time.

The usual, every-day wear is authorized in the US military, just not in formation, unless prescribed by a doctor.

No sunglasses for pallbearers or, for that matter, color guard, firing party, and even the bugler – sunglasses cut off your communication from those you are supposed to be serving.

There is a very good reason behind this. It’s not personal preference, it looks bad, putting up a wall of sorts between you and everyone else, the exact opposite of why you are there.

What about the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? They have special sunglasses made for them for safety. That style of sunglasses isn’t even available to the public.

Whether you are on a US military or first responder honor guard, in this article are reasons why you would wear sunglasses – prescription or you are a Sentinel. And then there are reasons why you should not wear sunglasses – not authorized in formation and they cut you off from the next of kin. That’s enough to have you and your team not wear shades for any ceremony.

How to Avoid a Color Guard Disaster

DrillMaster January 14, 2020 Color Guard/Color Team Leave a Comment

Flag Slipping Down Staff — National ensign sliding down staff with wrong USN flag

For honor guard units, drill teams and color guards. I could make this article very short and just write: Check your equipment before every use. It’s that simple. The best thing to do is constant maintenance on your equipment and using two methods to secure the flag to the flagstaff. It really is that simple, but you should also do a little more, just in case.

In the pictures you can see that the American flag slid down the flagstaff during a performance. A big mistake from which the cadets (pictured at top) recovered, thankfully. On the right, they had a more difficult time.

If you have an instance where there is an issue with the flag that can fixed by having one of the rifle guards take care of it, do so. Better to ensure the safety of the colors and team, than to hope the problem goes away. For more on this situation, read the article, “Guard, Fix the Flag”.

Prepare and Maintain

If you have not properly initially prepared your equipment and are not maintaining that equipment, you are begging for problems during a performance.

See also this article about creating Drill Buddies for your team.

And Just to be Sure

For every performance, take along a box of supplies. A tackle box is a good choice since it has all kinds of small compartments and a couple of large ones as well. Here is what to keep in it (not an exhaustive list, you decide what goes in yours to be best prepared).

Uniform buttons, a couple of each size
Safety pins, several of different sizes
Bobby pins, at least 10
Uniform and cover (hat) brass/insignia
Lint rollers
Several different uniform ribbons (it is probably not necessary to bring different devices)
One each size of gloves
Rifle sling
Sling hardware
Heel and sole dressing
Uniform trouser belt
Ceremonial belt
Black uniform socks
Small screw drivers
Jeweler’s screw driver set for glasses
Scissors
Fast-drying strong glue
A roll of duct tape
Portable sewing kit
Extra name tags
What else???

Make a list of items contained in the box and keep the list in the box. When anything is used, replace it immediately upon return to your unit. That way, you will never be without!

Semper Paratus

The motto of the Coast Guard. It means, always prepared.

See semper paratus
Know semper paratus
Be semper paratus

DrillMaster Instagram Hash Tags

DrillMaster January 7, 2020 Announcements, DrillCenter News, Instructional 2 Comments

Instagram is a great place to learn. I use to post my Micro Training Moments as I call them. Searching on Instagram or even the internet using these tags will open up all kinds of great information Below is a list of DrillMaster-specific tags and below those, some generic tags.

DrillMaster Tags

#DrillMasterMetronome – Information that helps you understand the importance of training and practicing with e metronome (app on your phone) and how to accomplish it.
#MakePathfindersGreatAgain – Specifically for Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders.
Drill
- #MovementPhasing – Information on synchronous movement.
- #MarchingWithSuspendedArmSwing – A technique that can be tough to master.
- #FootPrepFacingMovement – A helpful tool created by the DrillMaster when teaching facing movements.
- #BodyPrepFacingMovement – A helpful tool created by the DrillMaster when teaching facing movements that includes a look at the whole body.
- #MakeRegulationDrillGreatAgain
- #MakeCommandsGreatAgain – Specifics related to calling commands.
- #MakeMarchingGreatAgain – Specifics related to marching techniques.
#DrillMasterArticle #DrillMasterPodCast #DrillCenter
#DrillMaster_BeAccountable – A DrillMaster education program.
Outside Flagpole Display
- #MakeFlagDisplayGreatAgain – This is regarding outside flagpole displays.
- #MakeReveilleAndRetreatGreatAgain – Flag raising and lowering have standards. Really.
- #MourningRibbon
Color Guard
- #ColorsTurnOn and #ColorsTurnOff – color guard movement techniques.
- #AmericanFlagHigher – A myth. Yes, a myth. It is not always supposed to be higher.
- #FlagstaffFinials – The flagstaff toppers or ornaments.
- #FishPoling – When the lower ferrule of the flagstaff pushes forward.
- #ExhibitionColorGuard – No, it’s not a “thing”. This tag has pictures and video of colors presentations that use unauthorized moves and positions.
- #HarnessSocketCrotchSyndrome – For some reason many color bearers feel it necerssary to adjust their colors harness so that the socket/cup rests on or even below the crotch when it is supposed to be around a couple of inches below the waist.
- #PresentingTheColors #MakeColorGuardGreatAgain #MakeFlagProtocolGreatAgain #PostingTheColors #ColorGuardEquipment #ColorsEquipmentMaintenance #FlagstaffNomenclature
- #AuthorizedCAPFlag – There are only two authorized Civil Air Patrol Flags.
Weapons
- #MakeRifleManualGreatAgain
- #StackingSwivel – Educating everyone about the difference in the upper sling swivel and the stacking swivel of the M1 and M1903 rifles and where the sling really goes.
- #MakeTheManualOfArmsGreatAgain – Specific to rifles.
- #MakeCeremonialAxeManualGreatAgain – For firefighters on color guard.
- #MakeSwordManualGreatAgain – This covers all of saber and sword techniques, including the sword Arch/Arch of Steel for an honor cordon.
#honorcordon – Cadets call this an honor guard, saber/sword team, and probably other names. It’s where two lines of people face each other while dignitaries walk through. This can be with rifles, swords, sabers, or unarmed.
#MakeUniformWearGreatAgain – Specifics on uniforms.
#MakeYoungMarinesGreatAgain
Flag Related
- #MakeFoldedFlagCarryGreatAgain – There are certain techniques used to carry a folded American flag. Applies here and also to honor guard pallbearers.
- #MakeFlagFoldingGreatAgain
- #KnowYourFlagCode
#HonorGuard
- #MakeItMoreCeremonialer #Ceremonialer – This came about because standards don’t seem to be enough for some, there must be a bigger, better, faster way to present the colors or another ceremonial element.
- #MakeHonorGuardGreatAgain #MakeBaseHonorGuardGreatAgain #MakeCeremonialDrillGreatAgain
- #CasketProtocol
- #JointServiceColors #JointServiceColorGuard
#EverythingIsWrongStartOver – Exactly what it says.
#ThEyREjusTchILdreN – this tag is about untrained cadets who have presented the colors without understanding standards. Someone associated with the image then cries out that standards don’t matter because they are only children!
#MakePOWFlagProtocolGreatAgain #MakeThePOWTableGreatAgain
#MakeFlakingGreatAgain – A tongue-in-cheek look at WHY people fall out when in formation.
#TheDrillMaster
#DrillMasterInQatar – A few posts from when I taught American exhibition drill in Qatar.
#TheDrillMasterExplains
#InstructorMisconduct – It happens on a relatively consistent basis.

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The History of AFMAN 36-2203

AFM 50-14

1996 and a New Title

Welcome to 2013

2018 – Fixed! Not.

Conclusion

Let’s fix this now. For good.

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Nomenclature

The Outside Flag

The Indoor-Outdoor Flag

Fringe

Color Guard Flag Sizes

State flags

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Possible Scenarios

Avoid Those Scenarios!

But How?

How Many?

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Prepare and Maintain

And Just to be Sure

Semper Paratus

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DrillMaster Tags

Generic Military Drill-Related Tags

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