
You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.
Dr. Drill,
I am having trouble learning the color guard steps. When I do attention, carry colors, and present arms my commander says I am moving too much or I am adding extra steps. Wht can I do to stop this?
CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED
Dr. Drill Responds:
Dear CONFUSED,
Wow, what a name! What baby book did your folks find that one in? Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sure your parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frustrated, thought long and hard on that one. Wait, don't tell me: your sisters are named 'EASILY' and 'TOTALLY', right? Arf arf!
Okay, sorry CONFUSED - can I just call you CONnie? Yeah, great.
Okay, CONnie, on to your question.
Your question reminds me of the old joke: a tourist asks someone in New York, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" The New Yorker answers, "Practice, practice, practice."
Same answer, CONnie: Practice, practice, practice. Get together with an experienced member of a color guard, and keep practicing. You didn't learn standard drill and ceremonies overnight, and you won't learn the more difficult moves of color guard drill overnight, either! So, devote some time to practice.
Remember, practice doesn't make "perfect," PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT. Only PERFECT practice makes perfect. So, practice the way you will drill in front of others. Keep your self discipline high. You'll do well!
Dr. Drill