Very impressive. I hated D&C, but have always admired the dedication of the people who can pull it off successfully. Thank you for posting this return to the 4-Ring.
After a tour with The Old Guard then follow-on tour with the Berlin Brigade Drill Team (77-79), I’m sure my heartbeat still quickens just a little whenever I see a Drill Team. And it’s always exciting to hear the “Ooohh’s” and “Ahhh’s” from the crowd as they watch synchronized, white-gloves hands and bright bayonets slice the air within inches of one another. And it’s always encouraging to hear the approving comments of spectators, because without them Drill Teams simply wouldn’t exist. Those of us who’ve drilled, however, have a much more exacting standard by which we evaluate “precision” among a team of drillers. As one of those few who’ve marched among the very best, truly precise teammates, allow me to offer an insider’s perspective on “precision” - with emphasis on simultaneous: - each driller remains precisely aligned, by row and column, with every other driller (stationary & on-the-move) - each driller initiates every movement precisely with every other driller - each stride is identical (among the Team) - every heel strikes the ground together - each white glove follows the exact path, at the same speed as every other - each rifle remains plumb and/or level, is held at precisely the same distance from the chest and/or foot, as every other rifle - each rifle is controlled (positioned, raised, lowered, spun, thrown, or caught) at precisely the same angle & speed as every other rifle - each steel butt-plate strikes the ground simultaneously - on the “Halt”, every left heel (fitted with a small, rectangular steel bar) clicks against its partner right heel at precisely the same .fraction of a second as every other “click” - every human head and limb (incl hands, fingers, elbows, knees, feet) follows the same path, same angle, at precisely the same speed, as every other moving part * Precision requires simultaneous movement and cessation of movement With the above as your new criteria for precision, I would encourage a second or third review of this video of the 1986 Team.
Thanks, Cthelyte2012, for posting this. I was assigned to HHC, 5/502nd and worked in the PAC then. Did all the 0300 hour road marches, Rodes Ranges, Gunawald FTXs, etc. I was actually out there when this was taped. I always said I left the Army when I left Berlin. I'm glad I was there : )
HHC, 5/502d Infantry. Worked in the PAC with SGT Thompson, Rawlings, and the crew. CPT now MG Michael Linnington was our company commander. STRIKE FORCE!!!!!!
A/6/502 & Berlin Brigade Drill Team Nov 85 - Feb 88 It wasn't just D&C, it was attention to detail & dedication. We were the BEST. We challenged the Old Guard (in DC) and they REFUSED THE CHALLENGE. We used ACTUAL COMBAT READY WEAPONS (6 -10Lbs depending on the wood stock weight). Old Guard used and still uses HOLLOWED OUT WEAPONS, max 3Lbs. 16 Man Drill, when did right... was a thing of beauty
A/502 & Berlin Brigade Drill Team Nov 85 - Feb 88 It wasn't just D&C, it was attention to detail & dedication. We were the BEST. We challenged the Old Guard (in DC) and they REFUSED THE CHALLENGE. We used ACTUAL COMBAT READY WEAPONS (6 -10Lbs depending on the wood stock weight). Old Guard used and still uses HOLLOWED OUT WEAPONS, max 3Lbs. 16 Man Drill, when did right... was a thing of beauty
berlinrelic I serve in the Berlin Brigade from Sept. 1984 til Sept. 1988. Here is part of a poem in which I wrote. Entitled" An ode to a Berlin Soldier.
If you would like to listen to the interview about the escape please go to berlinbrigade com and go to the podcast sections. Podcast 17 and 18. The Book about the escape will be published in August 2011. On Eagle's Wings: The Secret Crossing. Excerpts have been posted on facebook at the Berlin Brigade Group Page. Hope you like it. John A. Bolden
If anyone is interested is dvd copies of the 1985 and 1986 Berlin Brigade Parades please send me an email to deepeagle@hotmail.com with your address and I would be honored to send them to you. There is no charge for this as I wish to keep our memories alive for all who are interested. I was with CSC 6/502nd from Jan 1986 till Sept 1986. Was involved in a successful Berlin Wall Escape where afterwards I was transferred out of Berlin.
@dafergusny Please send me an email with your mailing address and will get those out to you as soon as possible. my email address is deepeagle@hotmail.com. Appreciate you serving!!!
@dafergusny Hello: Did you send me an email with your address so I can send you a copy of the DVDs. I received an email from someone and got the DVDs ready but could not find the email with the address. Please let me know as I have them ready to send. John
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Very AWESOME. My brother was on the drill team. They put on one helluva show. That was a just a simple basic drill. Very sharp
Very impressive. I hated D&C, but have always admired the dedication of the people who can pull it off successfully. Thank you for posting this return to the 4-Ring.
After a tour with The Old Guard then follow-on tour with the Berlin Brigade Drill Team (77-79), I’m sure my heartbeat still quickens just a little whenever I see a Drill Team. And it’s always exciting to hear the “Ooohh’s” and “Ahhh’s” from the crowd as they watch synchronized, white-gloves hands and bright bayonets slice the air within inches of one another. And it’s always encouraging to hear the approving comments of spectators, because without them Drill Teams simply wouldn’t exist. Those of us who’ve drilled, however, have a much more exacting standard by which we evaluate “precision” among a team of drillers.
As one of those few who’ve marched among the very best, truly precise teammates, allow me to offer an insider’s perspective on “precision” - with emphasis on simultaneous:
- each driller remains precisely aligned, by row and column, with every other driller (stationary & on-the-move)
- each driller initiates every movement precisely with every other driller
- each stride is identical (among the Team)
- every heel strikes the ground together
- each white glove follows the exact path, at the same speed as every other
- each rifle remains plumb and/or level, is held at precisely the same distance from the chest and/or foot, as every other rifle
- each rifle is controlled (positioned, raised, lowered, spun, thrown, or caught) at precisely the same angle & speed as every other rifle
- each steel butt-plate strikes the ground simultaneously
- on the “Halt”, every left heel (fitted with a small, rectangular steel bar) clicks against its partner right heel at precisely the same .fraction of a second as every other “click”
- every human head and limb (incl hands, fingers, elbows, knees, feet) follows the same path, same angle, at precisely the same speed, as every other moving part
* Precision requires simultaneous movement and cessation of movement
With the above as your new criteria for precision, I would encourage a second or third review of this video of the 1986 Team.
Thanks, Cthelyte2012, for posting this. I was assigned to HHC, 5/502nd and worked in the PAC then. Did all the 0300 hour road marches, Rodes Ranges, Gunawald FTXs, etc. I was actually out there when this was taped. I always said I left the Army when I left Berlin. I'm glad I was there : )
HHC, 5/502d Infantry. Worked in the PAC with SGT Thompson, Rawlings, and the crew. CPT now MG Michael Linnington was our company commander. STRIKE FORCE!!!!!!
A/6/502 & Berlin Brigade Drill Team Nov 85 - Feb 88
It wasn't just D&C, it was attention to detail & dedication. We were the BEST. We challenged the Old Guard (in DC) and they REFUSED THE CHALLENGE. We used ACTUAL COMBAT READY WEAPONS (6 -10Lbs depending on the wood stock weight). Old Guard used and still uses HOLLOWED OUT WEAPONS, max 3Lbs. 16 Man Drill, when did right... was a thing of beauty
A/502 & Berlin Brigade Drill Team Nov 85 - Feb 88
It wasn't just D&C, it was attention to detail & dedication. We were the BEST. We challenged the Old Guard (in DC) and they REFUSED THE CHALLENGE. We used ACTUAL COMBAT READY WEAPONS (6 -10Lbs depending on the wood stock weight). Old Guard used and still uses HOLLOWED OUT WEAPONS, max 3Lbs. 16 Man Drill, when did right... was a thing of beauty
SFC Blackshear was my Drill Sergeant.
Cool!
bco 4/502 1983 1987
berlinrelic I serve in the Berlin Brigade from Sept. 1984 til Sept. 1988. Here is part of a poem in which I wrote. Entitled" An ode to a Berlin Soldier.
I am the last of a dying breed. After me there is will be no more. I ran across the poem a few days ago. I must look for it.
If you would like to listen to the interview about the escape please go to berlinbrigade com and go to the podcast sections. Podcast 17 and 18. The Book about the escape will be published in August 2011. On Eagle's Wings: The Secret Crossing. Excerpts have been posted on facebook at the Berlin Brigade Group Page. Hope you like it. John A. Bolden
If anyone is interested is dvd copies of the 1985 and 1986 Berlin Brigade Parades please send me an email to deepeagle@hotmail.com with your address and I would be honored to send them to you. There is no charge for this as I wish to keep our memories alive for all who are interested. I was with CSC 6/502nd from Jan 1986 till Sept 1986. Was involved in a successful Berlin Wall Escape where afterwards I was transferred out of Berlin.
Is the disc still available?
@dafergusny Please send me an email with your mailing address and will get those out to you as soon as possible. my email address is deepeagle@hotmail.com. Appreciate you serving!!!
@dafergusny Hello: Did you send me an email with your address so I can send you a copy of the DVDs. I received an email from someone and got the DVDs ready but could not find the email with the address. Please let me know as I have them ready to send. John