Replacing the Army Spade Finial

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard, Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Instructional, Protocol and Flag, Regulation Drill Leave a Comment

Finial = the topper/ornament of a flagstaff Flagstaff = the guidon staff carried by a color guard member Active Duty and Reserve US Navy and US Coast Guard color guards are required to have the battle-ax, also called a Battalion Lance, as their primary finial, according to NTP 13B, Flags, Pennants and Customs (download from the Resources page). The silver …

JROTC

JROTC, ROTC and More!

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Instructional 7 Comments

This page is the culmination of hours of research to bring information on all of the cadet programs available American youth. If youknow of yet another program, please let me know and I will add their information. JROTC Programs (in joint service order) JROTC stand for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and is a high school program sponsored by each …

Astronaut War Eagle Drill Meet Performance Critiques

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, DrillMaster Performance Critiques, Instructional, Judging Leave a Comment

Astronaut High School’s Army JROTC hosted the 2015 War Eagle Drill Meet at their school in Titusville, FL on the 21st of February. I judged Unarmed Squad, used a new score sheet as a trial and recorded my usual commentary as the performances progressed. These recordings are standard in pageantry arts with music and visual judges giving feedback. My recordings …

January: Drill Season is Here!

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While some JROTC units have a busy first semester that includes drill meets, for many across America January is when the competitions begin. Some states, like Florida, do not have any drill meets until the end of January, leaving the first semester to Raider meets. Maybe, like the school where I teach, Merritt Island High School, you have been having …

Having a Complete Plan for a Performance

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This information applies to any performance: presentation/posting of the colors, solo exhibition or drill team routine. The key is acting with nothing but professionalism the whole time. Before: Arrive at least an hour early. No two performances are the same and the more time you have to set up and rehearse, the better. Speak with your point of contact as soon …

Do Standards even Matter?

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The picture at right was sent to me by a Facebook friend who is an Army JROTC instructor in Texas. He sent it with the note that, at this particular drill meet, the SOP stated that only authorized service uniforms were to be worn. He told me the reason for the strict uniform requirements: One year I saw a color guard …

How to Join a Service Honor Guard/Drill Team

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, DrillCenter News, Honor Guard, Instructional 6 Comments

  FYI: Service honor guards are made up of all kinds of different members from all kinds of different military specialties. While the honor guard may have a specialty code (MOS/AFSC), the member’s “real” job is what that Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman or Coastie will eventually go back to, unless he/she decides to retrain. If the individual went directly from …

The Coast Guard Silent Drill Team

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Here are some highlights from the Drill Team’s performance during navy Fleet Week in Boston Massachusetts. Could it be that the team changed their movements after going to shoulder with their rifle because of my critique during at the Joint Service Drill Competition (JSDC12)? I don’t know, but I very much more appreciate this routine! Whatever the reason, enjoy the …

Joint Service Order of the Colors

DrillMasterHonor Guard, Instructional 21 Comments

The regulation that directs this order of precedence was Department of Defense Directive 1005.8, Order of Precedence of Members of Armed Forces of the United States When in Formations (31 October 1977) and now that information is contained in each service drill and ceremonies or protocol manual. The more interesting part of the story is the history behind why that …