6. A special area has been set-up just outside the Color Guard area for the schools to case and uncase the colors (un-graded) before leaving the color guard area. Units are instructed NOT TO WALK AROUND THE COMPETITION VENUE WITH UNCASED COLORS!

### SECTION 7.6 - DRILL JUDGING AND SCORING

## A. GENERAL INFORMATION

- 1. Optimally, judges will be briefed a few days prior to the field meet. The judge’s brief should include at a minimum the following-

- Review of the score sheets. - Review of the pertinent sections of this SOP. - The same judging standards should be used consistently throughout the day for each event. The scoring standards for the first team in the morning should be the same as the last team of the day.

- 2. THREE Judges will be used to judge each event and a fourth judge may be used to score cadence and other necessary functions. If a fourth judge is not available, then the head judge will assume this responsibility. Cadence should be measured for 15 seconds, 30 seconds or 60 seconds. The penalty sheet is based on a 60 second cadence. The cadence judge should multiply the 15 second cadence by 4 and the 30 second cadence by 2 to get the correct 60 second cadence.
- 3. Judges should be supplied with necessary manuals in advance of the event.

4. Judges will move around the competition area. Cadets may use every inch of the drill area. Judges will move out of a cadet's path, allowing cadets total access of the entire drill area. Judges may come very near cadets to gain a better judging perspective at any point during an event. Cadets should be prepared for this.

- 5. The SAME JUDGES will judge each team in a particular event. Qualified military personnel from the surrounding Naval/Marine Corps installations will judge each event wherever possible.

6. At the conclusion of each routine, the head judge will move to the entrance area and give the Drill Team Commander a short debrief (this needs to REMAIN VERY SHORT) on the performance of the unit. Drill Team Commanders (DTC’s)/Athletic Team Commanders (ATC’s) and judges will initial scoresheets together following each event. Should there be a penalty, it will be debriefed by the Head Judge to each DTC/ATC and the signature acknowledges the Team Commander understands the unit will be awarded a penalty. DTC’s/ATC’s and Instructors SHALL NOT argue penalties at this point but can raise the issue with the host OIC for a ruling prior to the final scoresheet being published. Discrepancies should be cleared up as soon as possible while the alleged incident is still clear in the judge’s mind.

7. Teams will be assessed a 5 point penalty for each dropped drill rifle. The definition of a dropped rifle is any rifle that strikes the deck unintentionally.

8. Judges will not grade down for covers that fall off the cadet’s heads during the course of the event. It is requested that the Head Judge coordinate with someone on the scoring team (penalty judge, table coordinator, etc…) to allow the covers to be picked-up.

9. Only the team commander or unit instructors are permitted to talk with judges during the competition. Scoring concerns/discrepancies, i.e. concerns that require immediate action, should be directed to the Host Unit OIC (Senior Instructor).

- 10. Judges will discuss rulings on any boundary violations, omitted commands, directive-related items or other SOP related discrepancies.

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