Standards Do Not Apply?

DrillMasterRegulation Drill Leave a Comment

Marine Corps Order 5060.20, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies, is the drill and ceremonies (D&C) manual for the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and other sea services (NOAA, Merchant Mariners, and Public Health). But it doesn’t apply, as stated at the beginning of the manual, to two key organizations in the Marine Corps. Why on earth would that be? Let’s find out.

“Root Step” and Command Pronunciation

DrillMasterCommentary, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional Leave a Comment

When we give commands to a formation, the words and your voice need to have several different attributes (click here for complete information on the command voice). One of the attributes that is never addressed is how to pronounce certain words. The two words that are constantly butchered by cadets and members of the military are Route and Oblique. The …

The Marine Corps’ Silver Bands

DrillMasterColor Guard/Color Team, Honor Guard Leave a Comment

                        If you see the Marine Corps Color Guard based at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C., you will notice something a little different about the flagstaff of the Marine Battle Colors (the MC flag that has the Corps’ battle streamers hanging from it). Look at the picture at right. …

Do Standards even Matter?

DrillMasterCommentary, Drill Teams Leave a Comment

The picture at right was sent to me by a Facebook friend who is an Army JROTC instructor in Texas. He sent it with the note that, at this particular drill meet, the SOP stated that only authorized service uniforms were to be worn. He told me the reason for the strict uniform requirements: One year I saw a color guard …