A Badly folded flag All across America folded American, state, territorial and tribal flags are presented to the next of kin (NOK) of fallen military and first responder veterans. Unfortunately, some of these flags are poorly folded and still handed off. I’ve witnessed a folded flag in the hands of a first responder who was sincerely trying to cover the …
Footprints in the Sand- for Teaching!
Footprints in the Sand- for Teaching! While I was running and then walking on the beach this morning to begin my day here at Daytona Beach at the Nationals competition, I realize that the ideas that I’ve had in the back of my mind can be best expressed through my footprints in the sand. While I was walking, cooling down …
Dress Right, DRESS!
Dress Right, Dress If you are in the military. a cadet program or even a firefighter, law enforcement or EMS, you’ve heard “Dress Right, DXRESS!” at least once. While you may be amazed with my drawing abilities, stay focused on the info! Each service, spells out in some detail what is supposed to happen when given the command, Dress Right, …
Ask the DrillMaster: What are we doing wrong with our color guard?
Question: Since you work with drill teams & know proper flag etiquette, you’re my go-to person on this one. We were told at a national veteran convention by someone from another state that we shouldn’t have an eagle on our state flag staff, only on the US Flag staff. I haven’t found anything about it. Is this accurate? Thanks! B …
US Military Service Drill and Ceremonies Manuals
US Military Service Drill and Ceremonies Manuals These are the manuals you need to know front-to-back, back-to-front, inside and out. While some may think this information boring, as someone affiliated with a marching program (cadet, military member, first responder, etc.), these manuals are the foundation of what you do and it is a MUST that you read your service’s …
Honoring the POW/MIA Flag When Posting the Colors
How do you honor the POW/MIA flag when posting the colors? Great question! Here is the answer: The POW/MIA color is not specifically honored when the colors are posted/presented. For a ceremony, after the colors are presented or posted, that is when the POW/MIA color can be brought in and posted. How the flag is brought in is up to …
Folding the American Flag with Two People
The 2-Man Flag Fold (relax, “man” does not always mean “male,” in this case it denotes position) Many have attempted it and many have failed miserably. The following video shows, in general, how to accomplish folding the American flag. At a later date, I will go into great detail on how this is done. In the mean time, there is …
Cadet Honor Guard Academy Training
In the second week of training after hours of standing manual, the manual of arms for colors and firing party, and the manual of the flagstaff and with just a couple of hours work, the cadets in the first-ever Joint Service Cadet Honor Guard Academy, have learned: Firing Party Posting the Colors Pallbearers We did so much during the two …
First Cadet Honor Guard Academy Performs at Funeral
The US Army Cadet Corps and The DrillMaster partnered to create the first Joint Service Honor Guard Academy. After just 4 days of training in Standing Manual and Colors, we were asked if we would like to attend the funeral of a Millersburg (Kentucky) Military Institute alum and a WWII veteran. My answer: boy, would we ever! And how about …
How to Start an Honor Guard Unit
How to Start an Honor Guard “We can’t just say we’re an honor guard.” Sure you can, why not? However, it is a little more involved than that. Besides deciding to do it, if you are in civil service: the fire service, EMS, Border Patrol, detention or law enforcement, you will need certain permissions from supervision. Most likely, you will …