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How to Sand Your Stock

May 14, 2013 in Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional

How to Sand Your Stock

The DrillMaster Education and Training System: Filling in the Gaps

May 10, 2013 in Commentary, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, DrillMaster Products

The DrillMaster: Filling in the Gaps Cover, exhibition drill, fancy drill, freestyle drill

The DrillMaster: Filling in the Gaps Cover

The DrillMaster Education and Training System: Drill Team Training- The DrillMaster: Filling in the Gaps

Knowledge is key: educate yourself!

Drill Team Training: Filling in the gaps for the Exhibition Drill books and the Honor Guard Manual. After publishing these books, questions arose that I answered and ideas came to me, all of which I wrote in articles on my website, thedrillmaster.org. This is a collection of all of those educational articles from 2012. Collected and published to help independent Drillers, drill teams and honor guard units who are seeking to constantly improve and increase their knowledge.

This book accompanies Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team, Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team, Vol II and The Honor Guard Manual.

The Table of Contents
Chapter 1 JUDGING.. 13

The Process of Certification. 14

Becoming a Certified DrillMaster 14

World Drill Association Judge Certification. 14

Regarding Competition. 16

Military Drill Judging. 17

Amazing, Wonderful, Fantastic! 21

Stand Still Laddy! 22

Appreciating Creative Ability. 23

It’s Natural to be Negative. 24

What is Derived Achievement?. 26

The Essence of Judging Military Drill 27

How Drops Affect Scoring. 29

What Happens if you Drop a Rifle During a Drill Team Performance?. 30

What is the “SuperSquad” Competition. 31

Chapter 2 DRILL TEAMS. 33

Thinking Outside the Box. 34

Becoming a Professional Driller 34

Yeah, But He Just Dances. 36

What is a Military Drill Team?. 37

What is “Military Flavor”. 39

Regarding a Driller’s Bearing. 39

Ripple Lines. 41

What is Vocabulary?. 42

How to Expand Your Vocabulary. 43

What is Articulation?. 44

What is Audience Engagement?. 45

Excellence as an Effect 46

Programing, Programing, Programing. 46

Breath Control 48

Why Do We Practice the Way We Do?. 48

Issues to Consider When Designing/Programing a Routine. 50

Does Drill Team Style Matter to Win?. 50

Does Drill Rifle Type Matter?. 51

Learning to Drop. 52

Know What to Say and When to Say it 53

How’s Your Recovery?. 54

Sample Questions for a Drill Competition. 55

Thinking Outside of the Box. 56

Stepping and the Military Drill Team.. 57

The Opening Statement 57

Exhibition Drill Moves. 59

How to Switch Sides During a Column Movement 60

Marching Commands Matrix. 60

Hut, TOOP, THREEP, FOURP. 62

The Let Flank and the Column Left 64

The Column Movement 65

The Army Description (TC 3-21.5) 66

Commander Procedures for Column Movements. 70

The Column Half Left (Right) 73

How to Mark Time Properly. 77

Regulation Drill: What I Would Like to See. 78

Chapter 3 HONOR GUARDS. 83

How to Train an Honor Guard. 84

Sweat the Small Stuff 84

Echo and Silver Taps. 86

The Six-Man Flag Fold. 87

POW/MIA Hat Table Ceremony. 88

Can the POW/MIA Flag be in a Color Guard?. 94

All About the POW/MIA Flag and More. 94

The Fallen First Responder Ceremony. 98

How to Adjust During a Performance. 102

The 3-Volley and 21-Gun Salutes. 103

How to Join a Service Honor Guard. 106

Dispelling Tomb Guard “Facts”. 108

“Stop me if you’ve Heard this one…”. 113

How to Fold a Fringed American Flag. 115

All About the Flag on the Casket 115

Honor Guard Competitions: What I’d Like to See. 117

Chapter 4 COLOR TEAM (GUARD) 119

All About the Flagstaff 120

Joint Service Order 121

The Makeup of a Color Team.. 123

When to use The Ceremonial Pike Pole and Fire Axe. 125

Who is in Charge of a Joint Service Color Team?. 126

Authorized Formations for a Color Team.. 127

Color Team Spacing. 129

Color Bearer Port Arms. 130

Every Left On. 131

To Fringe or not to Fringe, That is the question. 133

The Marines Got it Right! 136

American Indian Sovereign Nation Flag Order 137

Can the POW/MIA Flag be in a Color Team?. 138

What is Color Team Exhibition Drill?. 139

“Unarmed” Colors. 139

“Fancy” Right Shoulder?. 140

Can a color team use rifles with bayonets or even use swords or sabers?. 140

Chapter 5 THE AMERICAN FLAG.. 141

Dipping the American Flag. 142

The American Flag at Half-Staff 143

When National Tragedy Strikes. 147

What to do When the Flag Passes. 148

US and POW/MIA Flags at Half-Staff?. 148

Are state flags flown at half-staff on September 11th?. 149

Chapter 6 MOTIVATIONAL. 151

What I strive For 152

Hard Work, Discipline, Desire and….. 152

Discipline at Practice. 152

Chapter 7 TRAINING.. 155

Learning by Word of Mouth. 156

First Step- and Hot to Step Off 156

The Mechanics of the First Step. 157

How to Half Step Properly. 158

How to Train When Not Practicing. 161

Practice Makes Permanent-Feet 162

Practice Makes Permanent- Knees and Hips. 165

Practice Makes Permanent- Shoulders. 165

Balance. 168

Posture. 169

Muscle Memory. 172

Chapter 8 DRILLFIT. 175

DrillFit: The Wood Chopper Exercise Variation with Rifle. 176

DrillFit: Side Bend with Rifle Exercise. 178

Book Exclusive: Exercises with a Rifle. 180

Chapter 9 GENERAL INFORMATION.. 183

All About Being a Leader 184

New Leader Syndrome. 184

Do You Discourage or Encourage?. 185

Licensing Music For a Performance. 186

The DrillMaster at Nationals. 186

Shoes for the Driller 187

Taps. 189

Competing with the “Best of the Best of the Best”. 189

“May the Best Man Win”. 189

Good Sportsmanship. 190

The Shoulder Cord. 190

How to Write Drill 192

How to Shape a beret 194

The History of the Challenge Coin. 195

Open or Closed Method?. 195

The Four Temperament Types. 196

Taller Tap. 200

“As I Was!”. 201

Roman Drill and Where Some of Our Commands Come From.. 201

A Short History of American Military Drill 202

How to Prepare for a Competition. 203

How to Hold the Rifle While at Either Shoulder 205

Calling Commands. 206

Copy or Version?. 207

The DrillMaster Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) 208

Twitter hash Tags for the Military Drill World. 209

What do you Want to be When You Grow Up?. 210

Chapter 10 ASK THE DRILLMASTER. 211

Color Team.. 212

If the Colors are cased would you dip the flag during a salute?. 212

Colors and Spacing. 212

What Makes a Color Team Good?. 213

How Many Flags can a JROTC Color Team Carry?. 214

Can the Army color guard perform in the dark?. 214

Do military color guards use real bayonets?. 215

What side is the American flag and rifles when marching?. 215

What are the AFJROTC regulations  for flying flag at half-staff?. 215

What is the size of the staff for an Army color guard?. 215

Does a guidon need a pike if it’s outside?. 215

When on a color team and at Parade Rest, do you lean the flagstaffs forward like a guidon?. 216

Does a service color guard swing their arms while marching?. 216

When is US flag dipped?. 216

Why are the rifles carried on the outside shoulder in a military color guard?. 216

Can a Color Team use pistols?. 216

What are the facing movements a color team (color guard) can make?. 216

When Should One Call Cadence?. 217

Drill Team.. 217

Team Training Difficulties. 217

Are there AFROTC exhibition drill regulations?. 218

What are the JROTC Standards for Earning a Color Guard Shoulder Cord?. 218

The Flank and the Slide. 218

What is the Straight-Leg Marching Technique?. 218

Where Can I Find a Complete List of Exhibition Drill Moves?. 219

Writing Drill 219

Who Makes the Rifles That Drill Teams Use?. 221

Ask the DrillMaster: Instructors for Military Exhibition Drill?. 223

What are the Restrictions  on Buying JROTC parade/drill  replica 19 03 Rifle?. 223

How can we make our JROTC drill team better?. 224

How do you Instill Esprit de Corps?. 224

Are Drill Team Bayonets Sharp?. 224

Who Manufactures  the Mark 1 Parade Rifle?. 225

Can I use an M1 Rifle for Exhibition Drill?. 225

Is it Illegal to use a Bayonet on a Drill Rifle?. 225

Is the Guidon Bearer the Pivot Point?. 225

Are Springfield  1903 demilitarized  rifles legal?. 225

What are pivots in marching band?. 225

From India: why is drill necessary in the armed forces?. 226

How do you make a drill team better?. 226

How can I learn the drills for JROTC faster?. 226

Is the Glendale M1903 rifle better than a Daisy Drill Rifle?. 226

How do you Train a CAP Drill Team?. 227

I need “how-tos” for rifle Exhibition Moves. 227

Where can I buy a Daisy Drill Rifle in [insert your town, city or state?] 227

How much trouble can you get in if you drop your gun in drill team?. 227

When stepping off, when do you use your right foot first?. 228

Our Drill Team commander says our rifles weigh 12 pounds. 228

What is the difference between Regulation Drill and Exhibition Drill?. 228

What can one do at Order Arms?. 228

I’m starting a drill team and am in need of some ideas. 229

Exhibition Drill Synch Question. 229

Honor Guard. 230

How do I start an honor guard?. 230

If the American flag is at half-mast where is the state flag?. 230

Why do military honor guard march toe-first?. 230

The number of members in an honor guard can range from?. 231

Is the POW/MIA table required at holiday parties?. 231

When is the POW/MIA table and/or script required in the Navy?. 231

What does the Bible represent on the fallen comrade table?. 231

Sprinkling on the Flag?. 231

The Flag as a Receptacle?. 232

Mounted Flag Questions. 232

What is the Difference Between the Marine Color Guard and Honor Guard?. 232

What are the qualifications  for a JROTC honor guard?. 232

How do you sew honor guard aiguillette onto enlisted USAF service coat?. 233

What are the requirements for an Army 15 gun volley at funeral?. 233

What is the AF Honor Guard arm swing?. 233

Do all armed forces stand watch over caskets?. 233

Can Echo (Silver) Taps be played by one person?. 233

Can honor guard members still wear metal taps after service on the honor guard?. 233

How does one call cadence for honor guard?. 234

What are the responsibilities  of an honor guard flight leader?. 234

Competition. 234

The WDA Adjudication System.. 234

Competing in Rounds. 234

What’s graded at a drill competition?. 235

What does one need to run a drill meet?  235

 

exhibition drill, armed drill, drill team, drill meet, drill competition, drill team training, bayonet, M1 Garand, M1903, M14, daisy drill rifle, Glendale DrillAmerica, fancy drill, freestyle drill

The DrillMaster Education and Training System: Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team, Vol II

May 7, 2013 in Commentary, Drill Team Training, Drill Teams, DrillMaster Products

Drill team training: Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team, Vol II

The Second Book for drill team training: Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team, Vol II

The DrillMaster Education and Training System: Drill Team Training- Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team, Vol II
The follow-up to Exhibition Drill for the Military Drill Team. Where the first book left off, Volume II gives you in-depth and broader information. Continue your education with the second book in the only series for drill team training.

A reader’s review: Exhibition Drill For The Military Drill Team, Vol II, is an excellent resource for those who have very little to no drill experience and yet still contains information for those experienced in drill. Volume II is written in an easy to understand style and is directed towards instructors and cadets. It contains all you ever wanted to know about drill and maybe more. One could actually build a team from scratch using Volumes I and II and be extremely competitive

The Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: DRILL TEAM/DRILLER INFORMATION.. 9

The Professional Driller 9

Exhibition Drill: Building from the Foundation. 9

Things to consider for a performance: 10

Reporting-in or -out: 11

Speaking When Spoken To. 12

Uniform and Equipment How-To’s, Care and Maintenance. 13

But, how do I really make a routine?. 15

Performing to Music. 21

The Commander: Rifle or Sword/Saber?. 22

Offering Feedback. 22

Terminology: 23

Which Service Has The Best Drill Team? The Final Answer! 25

Exhibition Drill in the Movies. 26

CHAPTER 2: TEACHING DRILL. 27

How to Teach Drillers. 27

Teaching Methods. 27

Go From the Known to the Unknown: 27

Dangerous Moves. 28

Time. 28

The Armed Driller’s Secret to Learning Faster 28

Progression in Rifle Weight?. 28

New Routine or Same Old-Same Old?. 29

CHAPTER 3: RIFLES. 30

Nomenclature. 30

Making a “Spraisy” & Where to Buy. 35

Replacement Stocks/Parts. 35

Sanding Your Rifle. 36

Painting Your Rifle. 37

Why Use a Sling?. 38

Taping a Rifle. 38

Rifle Sound. 39

How to Count Revolutions/Rotations. 39

Bayonets. 39

Spinning with a Bayonet 40

I Dropped! Now What?. 41

“Flow”: Free and Bound Movement 41

Beginning Exhibition Rifle Moves. 42

CHAPTER 4: XDNotation© EXHIBITION DRILL NOTATION AND TAXONOMY. 56

XDNotation: 57

Category: Prefix Symbols. 57

Category: Armed Regulation. 59

Category: Unarmed Regulation. 60

Category: Unarmed Exhibition Moves, Above the Waist 61

Category: Armed/Unarmed Exhibition Moves. 62

Category: Armed Spin Stops, Single-Hand. 64

Category: Armed Spin Stops, Two-Hands. 64

Category: Armed Exchanges. 65

Category: Armed Rolls. 66

Category: Armed Spins. 67

Category: Armed Aerials. 69

Category: Armed Specialty. 69

CHAPTER 5: MOVEMENT AND THE DRILLER. 73

Writing Movement for your Drill Team.. 73

Design Information: 73

Using the Routine Mapping Tool 74

Ripple Lines. 74

Muscle Action Types. 74

Joint Motion Directions. 74

Movement Planes. 75

Effort Changes: 75

Principles of Movement 75

The Effects of Movement 77

Driller Responsibilities. 79

Axes and Planes: X, Y and Z. 80

Marching Better 84

Articulation. 89

Exercise for the Driller 89

Posture. 91

CHAPTER 6: THE COLOR TEAM.. 92

Color Team Commands. 92

Mounting a Flag on a Flagstaff 93

Standard Colors Post 95

“Diamond” Colors Presentation. 95

The Process of Posting the Colors. 96

The Position of Honor 100

What NOT to do. 100

CHAPTER 7: CHECKLISTS. 102

Suggestions for you and your team: 102

Tips. 103

CHAPTER 8: MILITARY DRILL CLASS COURSE OUTLINES. 104

Middle School Military Drill Class Course Description. 105

High School Military Drill Class Course Description. 107

CHAPTER 9: MILITARY DRILL CLASS LESSON PLANS. 110

Lesson Plan Overview: Initial Training. 110

Lesson Plan Overview: Advanced Training and Judging Basics. 110

Lesson Plan Overview: Advanced Judging. 110

Lesson Plan I: Standing Manual 111

Lesson Plan II: Manual of Arms. 114

Lesson Plan III: Manual of the Flagstaff 117

Lesson Plan IV: Manual of the Sword/Saber 119

Lesson Plan V: Manual of the Guidon. 121

Lesson Plan VI: Cordon Procedures. 123

Lesson Plan VII: Routine Creation and Movement Principles. 125

Lesson Plan VIII: WDA Judging System Overview.. 127

Lesson Plan IX: Overall Effect 129

Lesson Plan X: Composition Analysis. 131

Lesson Plan XI: Individual Analysis: Equipment and Movement 133

Lesson Plan XII: Regulation Drill 135

Lesson Plan XIII: Competition Logistics, Timing and Penalties and Tabulation. 137

Lesson Plan XIV: So, You Want to Be a Judge. 140

Lesson Plan XV: The Process of Assigning Scores. 142

Lesson Plan XVI: Accountability. 144

Lesson Plan XVII: The Principle and Process of Achievement 146

drill meet, drill competition, drill team, drill team training, regulation drill, exhibition drill, color guard, color team, fancy drill, precision drill

 

This Sling is too Long!

February 19, 2013 in Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional

Many ready-to-use slings that you will purchase are quite long and cannot be completely secured without using tape and the tape then makes that part of the sling sticky and other issues can arise from using tape on the sling. Here is an easy way to shorten a sling ensuring safe spinning without the sling flapping around.

The standard nylon sling that comes with the Daisy Drill Rifle. The sling clasp is laying next to it:Sling Shortening

The same sling now with about 6 or 7 inches cut off the end. Now you can see the other piece of hardware, the sling retaining piece (that the sling is threaded through and then sewn down), from the cut off end. You can melt the end of nylon slings so that they will not fray. Don’t catch it on fire, just hold the flame near the end so that it slowly melts.

Sling Shortening

When cutting multiple slings, use the same sling as a measuring guide to cut the others or you will have small differences in sling lengths.

Sling Shortening

This picture is of the sling quick-change device that is always attached on the rifle’s bottom sling swivel. You can leave this hooked on the rifle, or remove it, your choice. Leaving it on gives you the ability to create sound.

Sling Shortening

Putting the sling back on the rifle. At the cut end, loop it through the sling retaining piece and through the lower sling swivel or the sling quick-change device.

Sling Shortening

Now, feed the cut end of the sling back through the sling retaining piece so that it protrudes about a half inch. Now, pull the slack of the sling through while holding onto the half inch of sling sticking out of the sling retaining piece. A standard for honor guards is to have the sling retaining piece centered on the small groove on the top of the rifle butt.

Sling Shortening Put the sling clasp back on the sling, pinch the sling at the sides to insert the sides of the sling underneath the pins of the sling clasp. You can put the clasp on the sling so that the solid piece faces the rifle or faces away from it (also see next picture). Thanks to Melbourne (FL) High School AFJROTC Cadet Vaughn for the use of his hands in this picture.

 

Sling Shortening

Feed the sling through the upper sling swivel so that it goes toward the rifle or away from it (this depends on the way you attached the clasp). If you need to perform Sling Arms (for JROTC colors competitions only), you will want to thread the clasp and sling like the picture below. You will want the sling to extend about 4 inches from the clasp.

Sling Shortening

For all other applications, a sling and clasp setup like this will work very well. Pull the sling tight and place the clasp as close to the end of the sling (with the metal tab) as possible.

Sling Shortening

Who makes the rifles that drill teams use?

November 30, 2012 in Ask DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional

“We are the makers of rifles, and we are the dreamers of dreams”

The M1917 “American Enfield” (9lbs. used from 1917 to mid 1960s, eventually replaced by the M1903)
Winchester, Remington and Eddystone (Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania).
The British made the Lee Enfield Rifles which date from the late 1800s to the present day. Numerous version were created, rifles numbered 1, 2, 3 & 4, and different alterations were made to each version resulting in Mark I, II, III, and IV. Photo: Enfield Mark I from 1903, courtesy wikimedia.com

  • Drill-Specific Replicas: The L59A1 & L98A2 (Britain only, called “DPs” for Drill Purpose); the L59A1, modeled after the Mark 4, is OK exhibition drill, the L98A2 is not.

The M1903 (used from 1903 to 1937, eventually replaced by the M1 Garand)
Many call this the Spingfield M1903, but this is not correct all the time as Smith-Corona, Rock Island Arsenal and Remington Arms made this rifle as well.

  • Drill-Specific Replicas: the Glendale DrillAmerica M1903A3 and the Daisy Drill Rifle M1903A3.

The M1 Garand (used from 1936 to 1966, eventually replaced by the M14)
Springfield Armory is probably best known as the maker of this rifle but, Winchester, International Harvester, Harrington & Richardson and Baretta also made Garands.

  • Drill-Specific Replicas: the Glendale DrillAmerica M1 Garand.

The M14 (10lbs, used from 1959 to 1970, eventually replaced by the M16)
Springfield Armory, Winchester, Harrington & Richardson and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Inc. (TRW)

  • Drill-Specific Replicas: the Combat Training Aids DrillMaster M14 (currently in prototype).

What does all of this information mean to you, the Driller? If you want a demil’d rifle, don’t just look for what seems to be the most popular name. There are many more out there.

FYI, the quote is a rewording of something Willy Wonka said in the original movie.

Assembling and Disassembling the Daisy Drill Rifle M1903 Replica

October 30, 2012 in DrillCenter News, Instructional

This is simply an excellent job. THe only thing I could suggest would be close up views at certain points in the video. Having said that, this is a must see video for all Daisy Drill Rifle owners!

Assembling

Disassembling

Spraisy? Springdale? How do I make a Hybrid Rifle?

October 21, 2012 in Uncategorized

Spraisy. The merger of a Daisy Drill Rifle replica and an M1903

Springdale. The merger of a Glendale DrillAmerica M1903 replica and an M1903.

Both Daisy and Glendale make a great Springfield M1903 replica rifle. You can use the metal parts or stock from either rifle. A complete switcheroo and it will all fit together. I guess one could even build a Glaisyfield: Glendale’s M1903 merged with the Daisy Drill Rifle and a Springfield rifle. All you need is two rifles and the major parts fit each rifle. Here is the nomenclature for a Springfield M1903 for reference:

Pieces Parts

July 30, 2012 in Ask DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, DrillCenter News, Instructional

Drill Life: rifles break or lose a screw. Where does a Driller go to find parts for his/her rifle? Need a butt plate for your M1? An upper band with a bayonet lug for your Daisy Drill Rifle? Look no further!

If you have a demilitarized M1 Garand, M1903, DrillAmerica 1903 or a Daisy Drill Rifle, Numrich Gun Parts Corporation, Old Western Scrounger SARCO, Inc., Liberty Tree Collectors and Battlefield Relics (BFR) are your best choices for parts.

The Best Rifle with which to Start Drilling

July 13, 2012 in Ask DrillMaster, Commentary, Drill Teams, Instructional

Seriously, the best rifle to start drilling with at home would be the one that is the least expensive and would help you learn how to drill.You could then progress from there.

What rifle is best to start out?
The DrillMaster iDrill M1 or M1903 Rifle. Why? Because it costs less than $10 to make.

But it’s only about 2lbs.
If you like drilling and prefer the rifle your school uses, then save your money and buy a CTA DrilMaster M14 (similar to this), Daisy M1903 Drill Rifle, or Glendale DrillAmerica M1 or M1903. In the end, you experimented with a rifle that cost you your time to make it and a few bucks.

There are some great choices out there and you can start small and work up to a fully-weighted replica or even a demil’d (demilitarized) rifle.

See these links for more info: Psst, Hey Buddy, Armed Driller Alternatives

The Newest Kid on the Block

July 5, 2012 in Announcements, Commentary, Drill Teams, DrillCenter News, Honor Guard

August 1st can’t get here soon enough!

For those of you not in-the-know, Glendale Industries, paradestore.com, will release it’s sister DrillAmerica Rifle to the original M1 Garand Replica. Yes, ladies and germs, the military drill world welcomes the new DrillAmerica M1903 replica! [cue applause]

It comes in two flavors: black or chrome metal.

DrillMaster will be testing it shortly to provide a review, but in the meantime, feast thine eyes:

Hold the phone- it comes with a bayonet lug! [a perfect place to have your DrillMaster Bayonet securely seated]

Image courtesy of Glendale Ind.

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