It has been very exciting and fun to be a part of Color Guard (CG) this semester. We presented the colors at a total of seven basketball games at NCCU and Duke. The most important presentation that we made was before the Duke-UNC basketball game at Cameron Indoor. This game is perhaps the most important regular season game as both teams are part of the age-old rivalry between Duke and UNC. Each year, the opportunity to present the colors for the game is rotated between the Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC detachments at Duke. Because of the importance of this game, only the cadets who put in the most time to CG were chosen for the game. The experience and practice sure paid off as the team gave the crowd and cameras a perfect display of military professionalism when they presented the colors. This was perhaps the most memorable moment of the season as it was a chance for us to show not only those in Cameron, but also the thousands watching it on TV, the character and bearing we have.
Another memorable moment was, for the most part, a regular event. For one game, we had the opportunity to train an all AS100 team to present the colors. Being their first year with the program, it must have been exciting to take the floor by themselves. Needless to say, several hours of practice went into preparing them for that moment. On top of that, all of the drill knowledge that they had learned over the course of the year came into play. As a result, this young team successfully and confidently carried the colors and presented them before the game. In reaction to the presentation, C/4C Burgess remarked, “Marching onto the court with the flag gives you a powerful sense of unity with the people around you. For the most fleeting of moments you represent something that everyone in that stadium automatically appreciates.”
It was a privilege and joy to be the Color Guard commander for the semester. I would like to thank all of those in the detachment who took the time to volunteer as members of CG. As a result of all of the games, practices and PMT practice sessions I have gained an incredible amount of leadership knowledge. I am sad to see our CG season come to an end and hope that I will be able to participate in more CG events in the future.
by Cadet Peter Galindez
