There is a persistent myth concerning the Texas state flag. It is frequently repeated in schools, veterans organizations, civic groups, and conversations about flag protocol.
Whose Rules Apply When a Color Guard Visits?
I was sent a message recently asking for guidance for presenting the colors in a very specific situation.
Similar Ceremonies Do Not Mean the Same Thing
Military ceremonies often share the same visible elements.
The POW/MIA Flag, the States Flag, and the Difference Between Protocol and Law
When a Texas municipality asks which flag belongs beneath the American flag, the answer must begin with the governing authority, not organizational preference. The DrillMaster | October 22, 2026 A Texas firefighter recently contacted me with a flag-display question. His city had purchased POW/MIA flags for its facilities, but the fire station had only one flagpole. The United States and …
Ceremonial Settings Supports Meaning but Do Not Create It
A powerful setting can strengthen a military ceremony.
Taps Is a Call, Not a Soundtrack
A video shows a wreath-laying ceremony or announces that a member of a service has died. Photographs and video snippets appear in sequence and Taps plays as the soundtrack. The intention is respectful. But the death of a service member or the laying of a wreath does not automatically make Taps the appropriate soundtrack for a video.
How Pregame Productions Reduce a National Ceremony to a Visual Afterthought
With the football games come the pregame and halftime shows. During pregame, the band creates excitement, expresses school identity, and prepares the audience for the game. Cheerleaders, twirlers, dancers, and the marching-band color guard add movement, color, and spectacle. The combined production may involve hundreds of performers, carefully written drill, and weeks of rehearsal.
The Difference Between Land and Sea Services and Carrying State Colors
A realization finally clicked for me while responding to a Navy JROTC color guard issue.
The team presented the colors with the National Color, the state flag, and the Navy departmental flag. On the surface, many people would look at that and think, “That seems reasonable. National, state, service. What is the problem?” The problem is not simply the order of precedence. The problem is authority.
Ceremony Sequence of Events
Should the Invocation Come Before or After the National Anthem?
Beyond Performance: Restoring Meaning and Standards to the Honor Guard Mission
Speech given by John K. Marshall, The DrillMaster, at the 2026 US Air Force Honor Guard Leadership Summit in Orlando, FL. The complete prepared speech and supporting documentation. The version delivered at the Summit was condensed to meet the allotted 30-minute speaking time.