Most cadets and many adults know only this phrase about fainting (flaking) in formation. You definitely need to expand your knowledge to educate those for of whom you are responsible.
Mistakes that Pallbearers Deal With
Funeral directors and and cemetery caretakers have a big responsibility to ensure funeral honors can happen without a hitch. That being said, there’s usually something that the pallbearers must deal with. In this article, we will deal with travel to the gravesite and gravesite setup.
Consideration of Color Bearer Height and Waist Level is Mandatory
It boggles my mind that harness socket height is rarely considered. It’s time members of a color guard were made aware of the requirement. MCO 5060.20 states that colors are carried at the same level. If that is not possible, the national colors can be minimally higher but NEVER lower. TC 3-21.5 states colors are carried at the same level/height.
The Flag Draping the Casket
The only way to ensure a flag doesn’t move when draped on a casket is to put a casket band on it or underneath it and then tuck the flag into it.
Why a Color Guard Does Not Fix Bayonets
Fixed bayonets are not authorized for military color guards, so why would anyone else do it? We can speculate as to why color guards chose to do it, but that’s not necessary. What is necessary is to educate everyone as to why it’s not the right thing to do. We will explore the reasons why a color guard fixing bayonets is not appropriate.
Carrying a Foreign National or All Service Colors
This is huge. This changes 95% of color guards overseas as to make up (what flags are carried and when) and also affects some of the stateside teams as well. The protocol behind carrying foreign national flags was just assumed for many years. We can’t just assume anymore.
A DrillMaster Study of Mark Time
Marching in place, marking time. Many think they know how to do it. There are three different regulation drill techniques for the US military and two techniques for ceremonial drill.
Can Any Event Have a Colors Presentation?
Must an event be a formal military occasion to be eligible for a color guard to present the colors?
Presenting the Colors at a Sporting Event
I was talking with one of the JROTC instructors at one of the local high schools where I have taught in the afternoons and he was relaying the story of their color guard presenting the colors for a professional ball club and how the training I gave the team really helped since it provided the cadets and the instructors with a repertoire of moves from which they could choose to make their colors presentation look as professional as possible.
How Much Should I Practice?
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.