Drill Team/Color Guard Commander: c/CPT Josh Duren
This team is overseen by COL Johnson.
Weekly Drill Team Practice Schedule: Starts back Monday August 16, 2010 3:30-4:30 (Monday-Thursday)
Drill Team Competition Schedule
On 23 February 1778, Prussian officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge to see General Washington's troops in a chaotic mess. He began to develop drill movements and regulations to correct these problems. As the soldiers began to master the art of drill and ceremonies, they also began to develop discipline, confidence, and teamwork. Not much has changed over the years following that February in 1778. Drill and ceremonies are still taught to move troops in an orderly manner and instill the traits von Steuben educated the troops of the Continental Army.
The Grissom Drill Team takes this to another level. While encouraging discipline, confidence, and teamwork, we strive to perfect the commands to move the troops from one point to another. To be a member of the team requires commitment and concentration. The Grissom Drill Team consists of unarmed, armed, and exhibition drill. Unarmed drill consists of basic drill maneuvers, without weapons; where armed drill uses demilitarized M1903A3 Springfield rifles weighing in at 8.69 lbs. Both armed and unarmed movements are done in accordance to Army Field Manual 3-12. S. Exhibition Drill, also known as, Fancy Drill, consists of nonstandard rifle movement such as spinning and twirling, as well as, fancy footwork, however this is NOT a dance team.
The Grissom Color Guard is very active in the community. In addition to doing Color Guards for PTSA meetings, football games, and the Veteran's Day Parade, Grissom does many prestigious Color Guards for non-school functions, such as, for the Jazz Band and Valley Hill Country Club. A Color Guard generally consists of an Alabama and American Flag, as well as, two rifles...
The Grissom Drill Team / Color Guard competes locally and in surrounding states. Everybody on the team competes and is fully involved, both girls and boys may be on the team. This team is a varsity sport and one must pass all academic classes to stay on the team. This year, we will be experimenting with unarmed exhibition and honor guard. Unarmed exhibition consists solely on fancy footwork, yet again, is NOT a dance team. An Honor Guard is a very prestigious color guard.
Color Guards frequently come up about once a week, so the training is strenuous and constant. But have no fear, to relax, we sometimes take canoing trips as a team to hang out and be normal teenagers.
Special Equipment:
-Tennis shoes or flat soled shoes
-Water Bottles
Booster Club Representative: Mary Duren
Photos:
