Angle Port with a Color

Navigating Flagstaffs Through Low Clearance Areas

DrillMasterColor Guard, Color Team, Color Escort, and Flag Display Team, Honor Guard, Protocol and Heraldry 4 Comments

Color guards do not always move through ideal spaces. Doorways, low ceilings, stage entrances, overhangs, aircraft hangars, ramps, and other confined areas can force a team to adjust the position of the colors temporarily while still maintaining dignity, control, and respect for the flags. This article explains the practical methods for navigating both low-clearance and very low-clearance areas, including the available options, the commands that may be used, and the body and staff positions required for each method. The photos that follow illustrate each position so leaders and trainers can make informed decisions before the team encounters the obstacle during a ceremony.

The Honor Guard Color Team Performance Critique

DrillMasterAnnouncements, Color Guard, Color Team, Color Escort, and Flag Display Team, Honor Guard Leave a Comment

Another great free tool from The DrillMaster! Click here to view/download: The Honor Guard Color Team Performance Critique Use any time you have a color team (color guard) performing- even in a training situation. It is a great way to enhance knowledge and develop a keen eye in your honor guard members for what is right and wrong in a color team …

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 …

The Difference Between Training, Practice, and Rehearsal

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It may seem strange, even silly, to define practice, training and rehearsal down to the “nth” degree. Always remember, “Education is key!” Note: there are JROTC units that do not have the luxury of an experienced drill coach. Many JROTC instructors have never marched much past their Basic Training or Boot Camp days and that’s OK. Our military jobs came first …

How to Shine Your Heel Taps- “Cheaters”

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A word on whether to wear taps or not. If you choose to fit your team with taps, you need to be aware that taps requires practice to be able to synchronize the team’s movements because taps; toe, heel and/or side-heel (cheaters); highlight every little detail of movement. Thank you to Andres Ryan, former Army Soldier and Old Guard Drill …

What Base Honor Guard Members Need to Know: Uniform Trousers

DrillMasterHonor Guard 1 Comment

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

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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 …

Folded American Flag

Unofficial Flag Fold Scripts

DrillMasterHonor Guard 2 Comments

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 on the meaning of the folds. Flag-Folding Script #1 …

When, Where and How to Refold a Flag

DrillMasterHonor Guard 20 Comments

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 …