Jacksonville State University Football Stadium view from the press box

2023 Alabama State JROTC Drill Meet Performance Audio Critiques

DrillMaster DrillMaster Performance Critiques, Judging Leave a Comment

It was a beautiful day at Jacksonville State University for the state drill championship. I had the pleasure of overseeing color guard and I again did my DrillMaster Performance Critiques for the Unarmed Color Guard category. Here are the MP3 files for you to download. Bob Jones Buckhorn Columbia Enterprise Gadsden Hillcrest Huntsville Lee New Century Murphy Pell City Ramsey …

School Flag Detail

No School JROTC or CAP Program?

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No problem! There are all kinds of cadet and explorer programs attached to elementary and high schools around the country. Read more about them here. Some schools have a small program that concentrates on providing a color guard and/or a Flag Detail. But how do you start one? I have received this question before and provided guidance and now that …

jrotc, exhibition drill, drill team

The JROTC Instructor

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The Good, the Bad… First, lets get something out of the way. Not all JROTC instructors are great people. Not all bank tellers are great people. Pick a job and you will have someone in a position that makes you wonder why they chose to take it. On the flip side of that, there are incredible JROTC instructors in each …

The Military Hand Salute

DrillMaster Ask DrillMaster, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional 10 Comments

This article originally published on Dec 30, 2014 under the title, When in Doubt, Salute! This is the second update and rearrangement of information to help everyone understand this subject better. How to Salute The services have slightly different techniques. One technique is followed by the Army and Air Force. The middle finger is placed on the corner of the …

Color Guard Performance “Factors”

DrillMaster Color Guard, Color Guard/Color Team, Commentary, Honor Guard, Instructional, Protocol and Flag Leave a Comment

As much as I am a “by-the-book” Airman, I know there are times when certain organizations must adapt and overcome and follow the spirit of the regulations rather than the letter. Speaking of letters. Below, is the text of an email from a friend of mine, MSgt Vincent Liddle of Warren Central High School MCJROTC. I was surprised to wake …

The Guidon Staff Repair Kit

DrillMaster Color 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 …

The Difference Between Mark Time and Half Step

DrillMaster Color Guard, Color Guard/Color Team, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional, Judge Training, Regulation Drill Leave a Comment

OK, we know that Mark Time has you marching in place and Half Step has you marching forward at half the size as a normal step. But, there is confusion out there and I see it constantly. Mark Time Service Differences The Army tells us that the foot is brought straight up off the marching surface two inches. The Marine …

Casa Grande High School MCJROTC

Practice Never Makes Perfect

DrillMaster Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Training, Instructional, JROTC Leave a Comment

“Practice makes perfect” is the usual phrase, or you may hear the modified “perfect practice makes perfect”, which doesn’t even make sense. What exactly is “perfect practice”? I really do not like either of those phrases at all because they are quite meaningless. Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence. Vince Lombardi The learning …