Of Flags and Sharp Objects

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Honor Guard, Instructional 2 Comments

Please read All About The Color Guard for complete information on this subject. Can a color team use rifles with bayonets or even use swords or sabers? As the title suggests, flags and sharp objects do not go well together! Never ever, ever, ever put bayonets on rifles or march swords/sabers for a color team! When a color catches the …

#drillface

“As I was!”

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“As I was”? Stop talking to yourself, talk to your platoon/flight. What does “as I was” mean? Nothing. The term is “As you were.” Here is some info for you from AFM 36-2203, Drill and Ceremonies, which you can download here: Use the command AS YOU WERE to revoke a preparatory command. After the command of execution has been given …

pow/mia flag posting

Honoring the POW/MIA Flag When Posting the Colors

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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 …

What is another rifle with which you could practice?

DrillMasterDrill Teams, Instructional Leave a Comment

Great question! Here is the info: Standard for the military drill world (MDW) in America are the  M1 Garand, M14, M1903A3 and, to a lesser extent the M1917 (Enfield). There are also some color teams/honor guards that use the Russian-made Krag rifle. Real, demilitarized rifles are listed here: Pssst, Hey Buddy Wanna Buy an M1903? Replica rifles are here: Armed …

When to use The Ceremonial Pike Pole and Fire Axe

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Honor Guard, Instructional 2 Comments

Firefighter honor guards have the unique ability to use two implements of their trade for ceremonial use: the pike pole and fire axe. The Pike Pole First used to unhorse and attacker in the middle ages, it is now used to pull ceilings down and sort of other things to search for hazards. There are two ceremonial versions, one about …

What do you want to be when you grow up?

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I’ve been asked many times about what a high school student can do once he/she has graduated. Well, here are some options for you Drillers who really love what you do. Go to college (ROTC) and continue to drill with the school’s team Join the military and join your service’s honor guard Join a civilian drill team (i.e. New Guard …

Ask The DrillMaster: Commander Procedures for Columns?

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Let’s begin with defining where a team commander has control. This is called the “Span of Control.” As yo can see from the diagram below, a commander’s “span of control” is 180-degrees all around the formation at 3 steps from the formation. However, in competition team commanders are to maintain a position to the left side of the formation. Having …

What is “Derived Achievement”?

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Judging Leave a Comment

A friend of mine (“R”) and I (“DM”) were having a discussion, sending messages back and forth a short time ago. The questions he asked have been asked me before and I had to take the opportunity to share the information with you. R: I have a couple questions, I have heard that in high school exhibition it is illegal …

Who makes the rifles that drill teams use?

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional 2 Comments

“We are the makers of rifles, and we are the dreamers of dreams” The M1917 “American Enfield” (9lbs. used from 1917 to mid 1960s, eventually replaced by the M1903) Winchester, Remington and Eddystone (Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania). The British made the Lee Enfield Rifles which date from the late 1800s to the present day. Numerous version were created, …

“Stop me if you’ve heard this one…”

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How many honor guard members does it take to fold a flag? There are two ways to fold the American flag; one procedure of actually folding it, and two ways to accomplish that folding procedure. The Two-Man* Flag Fold This is the standard for retirements and memorial services. Veteran/retiree funerals also use this flag fold. The Six-Man* Flag Fold This …