Color Guard Performance “Factors”

DrillMasterColor 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 Difference Between Mark Time and Half Step

DrillMasterColor 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

DrillMasterDrill 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 …

The “Orlando Move” and Keeping Your Bearing

DrillMasterDrill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional Leave a Comment

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Orlando De La Paz When I was in high school (Agua Fria in Avondale, AZ) I was on the drill team for our Air Force JROTC unit. During my sophomore year, at a competition in Phoenix, one of my teammates performed an incredible feat. We were always up against Tolleson High School Marine Corps JROTC and …

Nassau County (NY) Police Department Explorers

More Than One Flag At a Ceremony

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard, Instructional, Protocol and Flag 2 Comments

“You cannot display more than one flag at a ceremony!” That’s one of several urban legends I’ve heard over the years related to me or told directly to me by well meaning people. Well meaning people who don’t know what they are talking about. Apparently, one set already posted and another set formally presented is “too many”. I know, you …

What is Vocabulary?

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Instructional 1 Comment

Armed/Unarmed When speaking in terms of drill and performance, vocabulary deals with the amount of different movements displayed in a routine. For the body there is vocabulary for your feet, the head, arms and hands, and the torso. When armed, vocabulary adds on the manipulation of the piece of equipment (sword/saber, rifle or guidon). Vocabulary means each individual movement. A …

New Leader Syndrome

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Instructional 2 Comments

Yes, it’s true, there is a plague that spreads about this time every year among many schools’ JROTC programs: the new leadership for the unit is being picked and the old leadership is getting ready to graduate. Here is the question I get most often at the end of each school year: “I’m going to be the new (Armed/Unarmed Drill …

JROTC

JROTC, ROTC and More!

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Instructional 7 Comments

This page is the culmination of hours of research to bring information on all of the cadet programs available American youth. If youknow of yet another program, please let me know and I will add their information. JROTC Programs (in joint service order) JROTC stand for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and is a high school program sponsored by each …

Why We Follow Manuals

DrillMasterAsk DrillMaster, Color Guard/Color Team, Drill Teams 2 Comments

A Question from a cadet Hello sir, I need some advice. I am a [JROTC] deputy drill team Commander. I was trained both by my summer instructors and you that one should ALWAYS follow the manuals. However, my commander and my officer in charge refuse to take any ideas about following the manual. Do you have any advice? I greatly …

How to Write Drill

The Seven Parts of an Exhibition Drill Routine

DrillMasterCommentary, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional 3 Comments

The Seven Parts of an Exhibition Drill Routine In the article, How to Keep a Drill Team Going, I briefly mentioned the seven parts of an exhibition drill (XD) routine. Here, I will expand on and explain those parts. These parts are a good way to break down the routine into digestible parts when programing (creating). The information provided below …