In the military we have two types of visits from higher HQ: 1. Inspections and, 2. Staff Assistance Visits (SAV). Inspections are to gauge an organization’s effectiveness on a pass/fail or multiple rating standard. However, SAVs are meant to help an organization improve- it’s an inspection, but without the stigma of a judgmental rating. It is an educational process. Inspections have their place, most definitely, but …
Physical and Psychological Performance Preparation
Preserving the pattern of the “P”: for your positive pre-reading program, precluding any possible problems: peruse The Difference Between Practice and Training and The Difference Between Practice and Rehearsal. Please also read, Having a complete Plan for a Performance and, from the Civil Air Patrol angle, How to Plan and Coordinate a Color Guard Event. Now that we have given Ps a chance, …
Creating the “Drill Buddy” Concept for Your Unit
The Army and Marine Corps have the Battle Buddy system. The Navy and Coast Guard have Shipmates and the Air Force incorporated it’s Wingman system service-wide in the late 2000s. Maybe you are not familiar with this concepts but might see the opportunity to adopt it once you see how it works.Honor guard units and drill teams can use this to …
Honor Guard Training Q and A with The DrillMaster
Do you have an honor guard question? I am happy to answer it! Q: We already have 9 people committed to being on the Honor Guard. Is there a minimum/maximum that is desired? A: For my courses, yes, 12-25 trainees. For an honor guard, no, not really. Most of what you will do will be colors presentations for ceremonies and …
Feet: Transitioning From and To a 45-degree Angle
The small details (read: Sweat the Small Stuff) are what build up from one tiny aspect to a whole routine and when you pay attention to these small details it helps create greater effect and better communication and team cohesion. Feet seem to be an afterthought in military drill, but that is changing. In exhibition drill, if you have not …
When to Raise and Lower the American Flag
I received these questions just a short time ago. 1. At the beginning of the work day (duty day) when raising the U.S. flag in conjunction with a state flag which one is flown first? I believe it to be the U.S. flag. Answer: Per the Flag Code, the American flag is always raised first. 2. When lowering the flags …
Two Ways to Execute About Face
There are about five ways to execute About Face, but for this brief study, we will concentrate on the two ways to execute About Face to be within your service’s regulation drill and ceremonies manual, what I call The Straight Leg Method, where the knee is more or less locked throughout the movement and the right foot travels in a circular …
Drill Teams and Honor Guards: Considering Your Hands
Competitive drill is very much a different world than the drill and ceremonies that are taught in America’s military services, unless one is part of a specialized unit. Even in JROTC, the drill taught to each class during the school day, is not to as high a standard as the competitive drill teams and color teams (why, “Color Teams“?). Minute …
Navigating Flagstaffs Through Low Clearance Areas
Color guards do not always move through ideal spaces. Doorways, low ceilings, stage entrances, overhangs, aircraft hangars, ramps, and other confined areas can force a team to adjust the position of the colors temporarily while still maintaining dignity, control, and respect for the flags. This article explains the practical methods for navigating both low-clearance and very low-clearance areas, including the available options, the commands that may be used, and the body and staff positions required for each method. The photos that follow illustrate each position so leaders and trainers can make informed decisions before the team encounters the obstacle during a ceremony.
The Honor Guard Color Team Performance Critique
Another great free tool from The DrillMaster! Click here to view/download: The Honor Guard Color Team Performance Critique Use any time you have a color team (color guard) performing- even in a training situation. It is a great way to enhance knowledge and develop a keen eye in your honor guard members for what is right and wrong in a color team …