This is a great question that I receive every so often. So, here’s an example of how you can begin spinning a rifle (or any other type of practice) and progress to a level of proficiency with which you are comfortable.
Honor Guard and Drill Team Shoes
DrillMaster explains what a drill team and honor guard members need in the way of footwear and how to care for your shoes and boots.
Drill Team Recruiting
DrillMaster explains a different approach to the problem of drill team practice attendance and recruiting.
The Military Hand Salute
This article originally published on Dec 30, 2014 under the title, When in Doubt, Salute! This is an update and rearrangement of information to help everyone understand this subject better. How to Salute The services have slightly different techniques. One technique is followed by the Army and Air Force. The middle finger is placed on the corner of the eyebrow, …
The Difference Between Mark Time and Half Step
OK, we know that Mark Time has you marching in place and Half Step has you marching forward at half the size as a normal step. But, there is confusion out there and I see it constantly. Mark Time Service Differences The Army tells us that the foot is brought straight up off the marching surface two inches. The Marine …
The Harch, Harms, & Hace of AFMAN 36-2203
Word pronunciation can be peculiar in the US military. However, if we look at it with logic, we can understand the the application of those possible peculiarities (See this article, Root Step and Command Pronunciation). Page 16 of the Nov 2013 edition of AFMAN 36-2203 has an historic pictogram, Figure 2.2, that shows how the Air Force calls commands. After …
Running Practice for a Competitive Drill Team
Training, Practice and Rehearsal, three different types of well, practice. Here is an article on the Difference Between Practice and Rehearsal and an article on the Difference Between Practice and Training. Whether you are on a first responder or military honor guard or a JROTC/ROTC drill team, your responsibilities are the same to a point: develop your skills, keep them …
How to Write Exhibition Drill: The “Boxes of Three” Method
How to Write Exhibition Drill (XD): The “Boxes of Three” Method When beginning any task it is always best to go from simple to difficult, even when writing drill. “But, my team already knows ‘difficult moves!” I hear you exclaim. No problem, you can still use these moves because they easily fit into a parade routine (long road that …
The Seven Parts of an Exhibition Drill Routine
The Seven Parts of an Exhibition Drill Routine In the article, How to Keep a Drill Team Going, I briefly mentioned the seven parts of an exhibition drill (XD) routine. Here, I will expand on and explain those parts. These parts are a good way to break down the routine into digestible parts when programing (creating). The information provided below …
When Calling Commands, where does the commander face?
When Calling Commands, where does the commander face? (ROTC, JROTC) Those of us who have worked with Army units have had it drilled into our heads that you MUST face your platoon when giving commands during regulation drill. This necessitates a face-in-march or even marching backwards at times. Here is the excerpt from T.C. 3-21.5: 3-1 “a. When at the …