When I was a cadet at New Mexico Military Institute, one of the inspection questions we were required to answer was: What is in the truck (or ball) at the top of the flag pole? First, the truck is the flat piece at the top of a flagpole (outside) or a flagstaff (used for color guards). This has to do …
Fun with Flags in Real Life
Move over Sheldon Cooper* – Here is DeVaughn Simper. aka “Professor Flag”. DeVaughn is an award winning vexilologist – someone who studies all aspects of flags, including history, design, manufacturing, etiquette, and protocol. DeVaughn grew up as an “Army Brat” with both biological parents serving in the United States Army. His love of flags started in cub scouts. One of …
The Draped and Dressed Casket
This article is about when to drape, dress, or band the flag on the casket and when to transfer a casket using each of the three techniques. Let’s begin with a bit of history. For the US military, caskets have been carried while draped, dressed, and banded for decades depending on the requirements. Different services have used different standards at …
The Authorized Provider Partnership Program (AP3)
In a nutshell, retirees and veterans of the military services may join full and part-time installation ceremonial teams (honor Guards) for the purpose of supplementing, not replacing, team members for funerals.
The Cherry Blossom Festival Joint Service Drill Exhibition
DrillMaster shares information for the Joint Service Drill Exhibition during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
First Responder Funeral Guidelines
These guidelines are for the United States Certified Ceremonial Guardsman program for more information on the program and how you and your team can be certified, click here to send me an email through the contact section on the Home page. Click here to download these guidelines to include them in your unit’s program. Developed in Coordination with Palm Beach …
Do Pallbearers Remove Their Cover?
No. Yes. Well… When I received this question a few months ago on my Instagram account, I went right to work answering it as I went through a typical scenario in my head. At the same time, my friend, CN Alec White, a current US Navy Ceremonial Guardsman assigned to the Casket Team, gave a different answer from a different …
The New AFJROTC Uniform Guidelines
Click the following links to download Chapter 7 Uniform Changes Visual Aids Chapter 7 Uniform Changes Text
The Honor and Sword/Saber Cordons
The Cordon *You must ensure that if the VIP(s) will walk through in twos, side-by-side, there is enough space to safely do so. Members of a cordon are sometimes unarmed, armed with rifles, or armed with a sword or saber. When armed with a sword or saber, there are specific commands and techniques that are used for each service. The …
Christian Flag over American Flag?
DrillMaster explains why the Christian flag the be subordinate to the American flag.