Recommended Equipment for a Color Guard

DrillMasterDrillMaster Recommends, Review 1 Comment

I received such a great question that it spurred me into creating a new tag #DrillMasterRecommends, and writing this article. Thank you, Jari Villanueva, The Taps Bugler! Question: I’m looking at updating our organization’s flags. Our new Honor Guard would like to purchase an American flag a state flag, poles for each, and bases. What do you recommend? For a …

The Flagstaff Spade Marker

DrillMasterColor Guard, Color Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 10 Comments

The Flagstaff/Guidon Staff The guidon staff comes in three sizes for the US military: 7′ – for colors to post ONLY (USAF only – these staffs are NEVER carried in any other circumstance, ever) 8′ – for guidon flags and 3′ x 4′ colors (all services) 9′ – for 4’4″ x 5’6″ flags (Air Force, as of 2019, it used …

The Guidon Staff Repair Kit

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Commentary, DrillCenter News, DrillMaster Recommends, Honor Guard Leave a Comment

“The best thing since sliced bread.” That phrase is used so often that it usually loses its meaning. Until now – and it’s only available from MIL-BAR! The Guidon Staff Replacement Kit IS the best thing since sliced bread. Well, it may be a little lower than the number one spot, but it’s on the list! Maintenance is Key! Flagstaff …

Flagstaff Refurbishing

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard, Color Guard/Color Team, Equipment Maintenance, Honor Guard 2 Comments

Flagstaffs can become weathered and lose their original look like the one pictured. That is easily remedied! Well, not easy-easy, but it’s not really all that difficult. Here are the steps: Remove the ferrules and middle screw joints. Sand the staffs down completely to the wood. Stain the the staffs. Coat the staffs with at least five coats of urethane. …

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 …

Ask the DrillMaster: What are we doing wrong with our color guard?

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional Leave a Comment

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 …