The Air Force Base Honor Guard (BHG) uniform is a modified standard USAF uniform. Stripes, an aiguillette, BHG arc and sewn creases are added like in the picture at right (that’s me, second from the left). You may notice that the right rifle guard’s stripe on his trouser leg is slightly bunched. This is a rampant problem with BHGs around …
Having a Complete Plan for a Performance
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 …
Unofficial Flag Fold Scripts
There aren’t any official flag folding scripts. The folds of the flag do not have any official meaning. But, that is not to say that your organization cannot have a something to read which embraces patriotism. The following are four scripts from ushistory.org that I wanted to share. See this article and accompanying video on the folds. Flag-Folding Script #1 …
When, Where and How to Refold a Flag
A Badly folded flag All across America folded American, state, territorial and tribal flags are presented to the next of kin (NOK) of fallen military and first responder veterans. Unfortunately, some of these flags are poorly folded and still handed off. I’ve witnessed a folded flag in the hands of a first responder who was sincerely trying to cover the …
The 50-Gun Salute
Each July 4th, Independence Day, The US Army Honor Guardat Whipple Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) fired a traditional 50-gun Salute to the Nation. This is the 50-Gun Salute. One for each state of the Union. This is one of only two ways to fire a gun …
Ask the DrillMaster: Rendering Respect
It’s unfortunate that some zealous and yet so very uninformed veterans and even civilians feel they need to chastise someone for the way they are rendering honors during a veteran’s funeral. I received a question from a veteran regarding the procedures he follows- training he received while in the Army- at veteran funerals while he is there as a member …
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 …
First Cadet Honor Guard Academy Performs at Funeral
The US Army Cadet Corps and The DrillMaster partnered to create the first Joint Service Honor Guard Academy. After just 4 days of training in Standing Manual and Colors, we were asked if we would like to attend the funeral of a Millersburg (Kentucky) Military Institute alum and a WWII veteran. My answer: boy, would we ever! And how about …
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 …
1968 US Army Video, Honors: The Military Honor Guard
[embedplusvideo height=”470″ width=”591″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/vr-T_CI16XM?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=vr-T_CI16XM&width=591&height=470&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep2416″ /] A US Army video produced in 1968. The video covers an arrival ceremony and full honors funeral as they were performed back in the 60s. Eventually, The Old Guard made slight changes here and there to the procedures, but much is still the same.