Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Ask DrillMaster”
You’ve heard the message: Dismissiveness hurts. When you bring a real problem or an idea to an adult leader and their response is a dismissive comment—or worse, “I don’t care”—it’s frustrating, unfair, and makes you question why you should even try. First, know this: You are heard, and your concerns are valid. Your initiative is vital to our program. You …
“A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.”Napoleon Bonapart Napoleon’s observation remains relevant because it identifies a fundamental truth of military culture: recognition matters. Ribbons, medals, badges, cords, and other uniform distinctions are not superficial. They are visible acknowledgments of effort, competence, and commitment. They communicate, without explanation, that an individual or group has earned …
Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day. Powerful, solemn days. People feel it in their bones — the sense of loss, the weight of sacrifice, the pride in service. And as coordinators, presenters, and participants, we want to make the moment meaningful. We want the ceremony to leave an impact. But sometimes, that desire turns into something else.
I have coined this new term, a new fallacy of logic. It is a manifestation of grief and wanting to do something above and beyond for the deceased or, in many cases, doing bigger and better than last year’s (Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.) ceremony. The image at the top of the page was generated by artificial intelligence at my …
Not too long ago I was encouraged to find a JROTC team, take them from their current state and bring them to state, regional, and national competitions and win at all three levels. But the last sentence was an insulting, “Or you could write another book.” Behind the Scenes I’ve had winning teams in multiple states for multiple years. I …
The phrase “To all who shall see these presents, greeting:” is a traditional legal and diplomatic statement that dates back centuries. In the context of military awards and commissions, it serves as a formal opening to a document of great importance. Here’s a breakdown of its meaning: Essentially, the phrase is a formal announcement to the world that the enclosed …
A Drill Master (DM) is not just an expert in drill and ceremonies (D&C)—he is the guardian of precision, discipline, and military tradition.
I was sent an email asking the meaning of both terms. I enjoy questions like this because then I get to dig deep and turn the response into an article. Did you know there is a difference between both terms, and did you know that most people don’t understand the difference and use either or both wrongly? Let’s take a look at their definitions and use.
There is the idea that the POW/MIA hat table or Missing Man ceremony should be brought outside for any remembrance ceremony.
In this article, I answer this question from a cadet. My school principal is not letting my school’s JROTC program use replica rifles in our color guard. Is there a specific regulation that says it required outside of Army Regulations? And does Army JROTC fall under Army Regulations since we didn’t take an oath to actually join?