A question from India: Why is drill necessary in the armed forces?
Answer: Drill is life for some, but what about those trainees coming into the military through Basic Training and Boot Camp? Why do they have to drill unarmed and even armed?
The DrillMaster Reading List
Over time, I will update this list as needed. For now, educate yourself. Many of the following manuals are the Resources page. Service Drill and Ceremonies Training Circular 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies Marine Corps Order 5060.2, Drill and Ceremonies Air Force Manual 36-2203, Drill and Ceremonies Regulation Drill Training (portable lesson plans) DrillMaster’s Color Guard Coach’s Field Manual DrillMaster’s Platoon, …
Color in a Color Guard
You may think that this is an oxymoron, of course there is color in a color guard- the team carried flags, hello! However, let’s look a little closer at some specifics. High schools have a school song, motto, and even school colors. Those colors can really enhance rifles: yellow tape used to make stripes on a black rifle stock or …
A Reading Plan for JROTC Instructors and Cadets
For many years now, I’ve received requests from JROTC instructors, especially those recently retired and new to the program, and some highly motivated cadets as to where to begin when teaching/learning drill. For regulation and color guard drill: Army- Training Circular (TC) 3-21.5. Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard- Marine Corps Order (MCO)P5060.2 Air Force*- Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 36-2203 …
Last-Minute Performance Advice
I am consistently asked about last-minute advice whether it be for a competition the next day the next week or even the next month. Most of the time the request for advice comes a bit too late to fix any major issues. What what a team can work on at the last minute is uniforms and haircuts, etc, but teams …
Exhibition Color Guard? Consensus Says it’s OK!
I cannot even bring myself to insert a picture of a color guard performing exhibition moves. Instead, here is an awesome firefighter color guard, the members of which were trained by yours truly. Reference: Training Circular 3-21.5; Marine Corps Order P5060.20; AF Manual 36-2203; The Honor Guard Manual I have heard from several cadets that their color guard has performed …
“Guard, Fix the Flag”
It’s a windy day. Your JROTC color guard is up next for the competition. You move into position on the drill, colors at Carry and rifles at Right Shoulder, pad and give the order to go to Present Arms. The rifles guards execute the Present Arms position, the American flag is flying in the breeze, and the spade at the …
Drill Team Organizational Guidance Examples
Standards. The military is about setting and maintaining standards- even exceeding them. A cadet organization is not different. An extra-curricular activity of that program also needs to set and maintain standards. Those standards are of what is expected from each team member and what each team member can expect. Here are some examples. I encourage you to look them over, …
Why The DrillMaster for Cadets?
I was asked a short time ago why someone would hire me or use the skills I’ve acquired. That is an excellent question. Why indeed. Question: Concerning drill, what would you tell someone who is just coming into JROTC, whether they are an instructor or a cadet? Read. Read your service drill and ceremonies manual. You need to know it …
What a JROTC Drill Team Commander Should Know
Being a Leader Question 1: I was thinking about my weaknesses & strengths and a problem appeared to me. I want to be drill team commander, but I’m going to be a second-year cadet. Some of the other cadets are 3rd year, and it would appear to me that they would say, “why wasn’t I chosen?” This is going to …