First Color Guard Performance

[arajca]

On Sat, 22 Sept, the Evergreen (CO) Squadron Color Guard had it's first public performance.

RMRCO188 ColorGrd MtnBwl2012

Not bad for the first time. Yes, I did notice some minor issues that will improve with more practice and time.

[Jon Knapp]

As you said not bad for a first performance.  :clap: However, I would say that your guardsmen men rifles in present arms are too high...it top of the forearm of the rifle is supposed to be level with the guardsmen eyes.

[Extremepredjudice]

Critique:

Why are they touching? Definitely not close interval. 
Their rifles are to high when presenting.
Left Guard's belt is to loose.
Junior flag needs to stop looking around
It could just be me, but it looks like the junior flag is presenting arms the whole time....
Junior flag needs to stop moving the flag around so much
They could lift their legs a bit higher, but that is very nit-picky.
Flags are supposed to be straight. Not tilted.

[Jon Knapp]

Critique:

Why are they touching? Definitely not close interval. 
Their rifles are to high when presenting.
Left Guard's belt is to loose.
Junior flag needs to stop looking around
It could just be me, but it looks like the junior flag is presenting arms the whole time....
Junior flag needs to stop moving the flag around so much
They could lift their legs a bit higher, but that is very nit-picky.
Flags are supposed to be straight. Not tilted.

Agreed.

[Danger]

Junior Flag should be straight up. Very noticeable that it isn't.

[Extremepredjudice]

Junior Flag should be straight up. Very noticeable that it isn't.

Same with the US flag.

[arajca]

Most of these have been discussed this evening at our meeting. The color guard had been told to tilt the flags when marching, and that the state flag should be tilted more than the American flag. Obviously wrong, but it has been addressed.

[Extremepredjudice]

Flags should be vertical. It is a sign of disrespect for the US flag to dip.

State should only dip for presenting arms.

For color guard presenting arms, the junior flag extends his right arm to full extension, (but doesn't push his should forward) and puts his left hand on his cup (left hand moves on the count of 3).This is a 3 count movement.

For guards, if they are at BATTLE port, they should count to 2, and then move to present.
If they are at right shoulder, they will normally go to present arms (no change)


PM me if you have any questions. I do color guard all the time.

[PA Guy]

What is the source document for the Manual of Arms used by CAP colorguards? What is the difference between "BATTLE port" and port arms?

[abdsp51]

There is an Army FM for use in the manual of arms.  If you have a local AF base contact their Honor Guard for help.  Outside of the height difference and some minor things it was a good job for a first performance.

[Extremepredjudice]

AF honor guards will teach you honor guard stuff. Which is completely different.

What is the source document for the Manual of Arms used by CAP colorguards? What is the difference between "BATTLE port" and port arms?

battle port, you lift the rifle up, align it to your left shoulder, grab with your left hand, then with your right grab lower. 2 count movement.

Proper port (AKA, honor guard) you lift the rifle up and align, left eye, roght thigh. Grab with left hand, bring right hand down, grab (if you are doing honor guard you flair when bringing your right hand down) . This is a 2 count movement with an "and" count

[abdsp51]

It's called port arms not battle port.

[abdsp51]

For more info out of AFMAN36-2203

1.1.2. Units or organizations required to drill under arms will use the procedures in US Army Field
Manual 22-5, SECNAV 5060.22, or USAF Academy Cadet Wing Manual 50-5. The types of weapon
used will determine the appropriate manual.

[Extremepredjudice]

It's called port arms not battle port.

It is by convention. But it is formally battle port and proper port

[abdsp51]

Negative all sources say port arms. 

[Extremepredjudice]

Negative all sources say port arms.

Then what do you call the 2 different versions of port arms?

[abdsp51]

There is one port arms per the sources cite, read them.  In competition or exhibition drill you may modify the execution of the command.  Per  US Army Field Manual 22-5 and SECNAV 5060.22 there is one port arms which is to be utilized during armed drill per AFMAN36-2203.  And this is all they need for basic color guard and that is the proper term and command.   

[SarDragon]

Negative all sources say port arms.

Then what do you call the 2 different versions of port arms?

Many moons ago, there were two variations, both called port arms. The singular difference was the height of the hands. In the older, higher version, the left hand was almost at shoulder level. In the newer, lower version, the right hand is just above waist level, and the right forearm is almost parallel to the ground.

This info is via USN recruit training, circa 1969. The change occurred sometime in 1968.

[PA Guy]

Seems to me that cadets who wish to participate in HG should master the Manual of Arms prior to trying to do all the fancy stuff taught at HGA since those movements derive their origin from the basic movements. I have seldom seen a CAP color guard or HG that has mastered the basic movements, they are more interested in doing the trick stuff. It is like doing innovative drill before mastering basic drill.

As far as the term "battle port" I have been unable to find any reference to it in the cited source documents. Is it in a HGA document?  Teaching the standard also means using the correct terminology. People on here have gotten upset when the term "cover" has been used to refer to cap, same thing applies.

[abdsp51]

Seems to me that cadets who wish to participate in HG should master the Manual of Arms prior to trying to do all the fancy stuff taught at HGA since those movements derive their origin from the basic movements. I have seldom seen a CAP color guard or HG that has mastered the basic movements, they are more interested in doing the trick stuff. It is like doing innovative drill before mastering basic drill.

As far as the term "battle port" I have been unable to find any reference to it in the cited source documents. Is it in a HGA document?  Teaching the standard also means using the correct terminology. People on here have gotten upset when the term "cover" has been used to refer to cap, same thing applies.

Exactly.  And a base level honor guard can teach basic manual of arms and color guard technique without the added flair.  There is also a good demo of technique on capmembers.com under the cadet prorams link, library and then drill and ceremonies.  This also has great examples of retreat and raising/lowering the flag as well.