This question arises frequently at ceremonies, particularly when a chaplain invites those present to bow their heads. The answer depends on a critical distinction: who is acting as an individual—and who is acting as a representative.
The “Wrong” Committal Shelter Set Up and the “Rule of the Foot”
The photo at the top of the page shows what is called a “Committal Shelter” or a “Committal Pavilion”. For a more modern, utilitarian structure, “Committal Terrace” is also sometimes used to describe a paved, roofed area specifically set aside for the service to take place away from the mud or grass of the grave site. Why these are used …
The “Good Idea Fairy”
The ‘Good Idea Fairy,’ the destroyer of motivation and crusher of souls, is back, and this time it’s haunting the drill field. As I detail in my previous work, ‘The Magic White Glove Effect,’ this phenomenon is all due to unrealistic expectations. Recently, I received a message detailing a ceremony rehearsal where a prepared junior NCO and his Color Guard …
Flag Protocol and Fallen Heroes—Why Compliance Is Non-Negotiable
In the somber process of bringing home our fallen servicemembers, every detail matters. The sight of a flag-draped casket signifies part of the highest honors a nation can bestow. However, a modern logistical trend is starting to undermine that dignity: the practice of draping the interment flag over the shipping container holding the casket, rather than the casket itself.
The Mechanics of Movement
This article is a continuation of Part 1, The Rhythm of Movement. Here, we go over what physically happens when taking that first step. The Gate Cycle When we talk about the gait cycle, we’re essentially describing a full rhythmic cycle of walking. Marching is a highly disciplined and stylized form of walking, so when marching, the gait cycle is …
The Rhythm of Movement
Movement has a rhythm and with competitive marching it is crucial to understand that rhythm and break down movement to understand it’s application better.
AFMAO – Zero Margin for Error
This investigation is grounded in a review of five critical articles from prominent news sources—including Stars and Stripes, NBC News, Washington Post, the American Legion, and NPR—which collectively detail a pattern of failures that constitute a betrayal of trust by Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO). This historical record highlights instances of mishandled veteran human remains and failed accountability, unequivocally …
Mission Overreach and Organizational Erosion: A Call to Re-Establish Ceremonial Standards Under The Air Force Honor Guard
Finished 24 October 2025. I’ve spent years detailing the operational conflicts that are actively undermining the Base Honor Guard program online through my website and social media. This is more than just a turf war; it’s about the legal requirement to preserve a congressional mandate. To download this position paper in PDF, click here. Download the sample suggested DAFI rewrite …
The “Honor by Dishonor” Fallacy, Part 2
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.
The “Honor by Dishonor” Fallacy, Part 1
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 …