Appropriate Flag Retirement

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Protocol and Flag 26 Comments

There is a flag fold technique for the first triangle fold called, Cutting the First Stripe. It’s used for an interment flag that has been used for practice and has been folded and refolded so much that it is a bit stretched out, but still good for practice. This technique “cuts” the stripe in half on that first fold, pictured …

NJROTC Color Guard

Reciting the Pledge with a Colors Presentation

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 2 Comments

At ceremonies across the country, many local municipalities request a color team from military installations or even first responders. Quite often, music is not available so those gathered recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Color Guards: In all of the research I’ve accomplished, there are guidelines for departmental/organizational colors from each service’s drill and ceremonies, flag, or protocol manuals: departmental/organizational colors …

Folded American Flag

How Should Multiple Flags be Folded When Taken Down?

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 4 Comments

This is for outside flags (attached to a halyard and flown from a pole), not indoor/outdoor flags (for color guard flagstaffs for carrying only). The American Flag The American flag must always be folded into a triangle (ref: Flag Code). If it is wet from rain or snow, it is taken down, folded, and brought inside where it is unfolded …

Honor Guard Gloves

All About Uniform Gloves

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 3 Comments

White Gloves I constantly see pictures of cadets, Active Duty, Reserve and Guard, and first responder teams wearing gloves that look terrible. Whether its the “Flag Bearer Gloves” (at right) or the dress gloves with a snap or no snap, they all are either (loose) or a bad idea (look almost “industrial”). The picture at right is a bit misleading …

All About Posting or Presenting Colors

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training 145 Comments

There is quite a bit of information and several situations that every color team needs to know to maintain the American flag in the position of honor – on the marching right or in front. The American flag never marches any other position. Never. Military and para-military (just about every organization that has its members in uniform) should follow military …

The Logical Separation of Colors

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 2 Comments

While I’m sure that you are completely mesmerized at my drawing abilities, I hope the illustrations help get the idea across. First: know the difference between posting and presenting the colors. Posting the colors is when the colors guard/team enters, renders honors and then places the colors in the stands. Presenting is when the colors team enters, renders honors and …