If you see the Marine Corps Color Guard based at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C., you will notice something a little different about the flagstaff of the Marine Battle Colors (the MC flag that has the Corps’ battle streamers hanging from it). Look at the picture at right. …
The Case for Cased Flags and Colors
A Cased Flag At right is a picture of a cased flag (this is a folded interment flag). Once the American flag is folded, it is considered cased and does not receive a salute. Here is an example: the flag is brought down in the evening from a stationary flagpole. The team folds it, forms up and marches away (with …
DrillMaster Professional Audio Performance Critiques
DrillMaster Professional Audio Performance Critiques (APC) Do you have a drill team performance or solo that you would like to have professionally critiqued? The DrillMaster is the only professionally trained judge who has now translated that training into a complete system for the military drill world. The World Drill Association Adjudication Manual and Rule Book is the first and …
Do Standards even Matter?
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 …
Ask the DrillMaster: What are we doing wrong with our color guard?
Question: Since you work with drill teams & know proper flag etiquette, you’re my go-to person on this one. We were told at a national veteran convention by someone from another state that we shouldn’t have an eagle on our state flag staff, only on the US Flag staff. I haven’t found anything about it. Is this accurate? Thanks! B …
US Military Service Drill and Ceremonies Manuals
US Military Service Drill and Ceremonies Manuals These are the manuals you need to know front-to-back, back-to-front, inside and out. While some may think this information boring, as someone affiliated with a marching program (cadet, military member, first responder, etc.), these manuals are the foundation of what you do and it is a MUST that you read your service’s …
Honoring the POW/MIA Flag When Posting the Colors
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 …
Practicing Wheels for Colors
Wheel movements can be one of the most difficult techniques to master when you are just starting out. Unfortunately (in my opinion), JROTC cadet color teams are relegated to their service drill and ceremonies manual and cannot compete using the ceremonial standard. I’ll give you two examples of why I use the word, “unfortunately:” Cadets on a color team are …
Cadet Honor Guard Academy Training
In the second week of training after hours of standing manual, the manual of arms for colors and firing party, and the manual of the flagstaff and with just a couple of hours work, the cadets in the first-ever Joint Service Cadet Honor Guard Academy, have learned: Firing Party Posting the Colors Pallbearers We did so much during the two …
Honor Guard Competitions
What is the reason for competing? In the military drill world, a competition has been a means of showing other teams how much hard work has been put into the routine, and I’m not just talking about exhibition drill. Honor guard units compete against each other in funeral ceremonies and the tasks associated with them. Color teams post the colors …