Knowledge Packet 2014-2015
Chain of Command
Commander-In-Chief:
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
Secretary of Defense:
The Honorable Chuck Hagel
Secretary of the Air Force:
The Honorable Debora Lee James
Air Force Chief of Staff:
General Mark A. Welsh III
Air Education and Training Center (AETC) Commander:
General Robin Rand
Air University Center (AUC) Commander:
Lieutenant General David S. Fadok
Holm Center Commander:
Brigadier General Robert D. Thomas
AFJROTC Commander:
Col Bobby C. Woods Jr.
Platoon Commander/Team Commander:
Platoon NCO/ Team NCO:
1st Squad Leader/1st Element Leader:
2nd Squad Leader/2nd Element Leader:
3rd Squad Leader/3rd Element Leader:
Extra Chain of Command
Vice President/ President of the Senate:
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden
Secretary of State:
The Honorable John Kerry
Extra Chain of Command (Cont.)
Attorney General (Of California):
The Honorable Kamala D. Harris
White House Chief of Staff:
The Honorable Denis McDonough
Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court:
The Honorable John G. Roberts Jr.
Speaker of the House of Representatives:
The Honorable John Boehner
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
General Martin Dempsey(United States Army)
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
Admiral James A. Winnfeld,Jr.(United States Navy)
Chief of Staff of the United States Army:
General Raymond T. Odierno
Chief of Naval Operations:
Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert
Commandant of the United States Marine Corps:
General James F. Amos
Secretary of the United States Navy:
The Honorable Raymond E. Mabus
Secretary of the United States Army:
The Honorable John M. McHugh
Secretary of Homeland Security:
The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard:
Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard:
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael P. Leavitt
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy:
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Micheal D Stevens
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps:
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett
Sergeant Major of the Army:
Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force:
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody
Commander in Chief of the State Militia (Governor):
The Honorable Edmund Gerald Brown
Commander of United States Central Command:
General Lloyd Austin
Extra Chain of Command (Cont.)
Commanding General of Multinational Force-Iraq:
General Lloyd Austin
Commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan:
Not Available at this time
President pro tempore of the United States Senate:
The Honorable Patrick Leahy
Secretary of the Treasury:
The Honorable Jacob Lew
Majority Leader of the United States Senate:
The Honorable Harry Reid(D)
The Honorable Mitch McConnell(R)(minority leader)
Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force:
General Larry O. Spencer
Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force:
Vacant Position
Special Dates
Air Force Birthday: September 18, 1947
Army Birthday: June 14, 1775
Navy Birthday: October 13, 1775
Marine Corps Birthday: November 10, 1775
Coast Guard Birthday: August 14, 1790
Independence Day: July 4, 1776
Memorial Day: Last Monday of May
Veterans’ Day: November 11
Pearl Harbor Day: December 7, 1941
Presidents’ Day: 3rd Monday in February
Wright Brothers 1st Flight: December 17, 1903
Appearance, Drill, and Ceremonies References
U.S.A.F. Dress and Personal Appearance: AFI 36-2903
U.S.A.F. Drill and Ceremonies: AFMAN 36-2203
Army Drill and Ceremonies: FM 3-21.5 (FM 22-5)
AFJROTC Dress and Personal Appearance: AFJROTCI 36-2001
Air Force Mission
“ The mission of the United States Air Force it to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and
cyberspace. To achieve that mission. the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance. Reach and
Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies; developing Airmen, technology to
war fighting and integrating operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive
capabilities possible. ”
Proper Responses
Instructor: “Who is the Secretary of the Marine Corps?”
Cadet: “Sir, the United States Marine Corps does not have any position referred to as ‘Secretary
of the Marine Corps, The Marines Corps reports to the secretary of the Navy and the secretary of
the Navy is the Honorable Raymond E. Mabus, Sir”
Instructor: “Perform an about face.”
Cadet: “Yes, Sir.”
Instructor: “What are your general orders?”
Cadet: “Sir, the United States Air Force does not have general orders. It has core values and they
are as followed : Integrity First, Service before Self, Excellence in All We Do, Sir.”
Instructor: “What is your mission?”
Cadet: “Sir, The mission of the United States Air Force it to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and
cyberspace. To achieve that mission. the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance. Reach and
Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies; developing Airmen, technology to
war fighting and integrating operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive
capabilities possible.”
Flag Knowledge
The U.S.A.F. authorizes five types of US flags: base, all-purpose, ceremonial,
organizational, and aircraft and automobile
Base and all-purpose flags are displayed on stationary flagstaffs
Base flags: Displayed in fair weather from reveille to retreat. On specific patriotic
occasions, it may be displayed all night if properly illuminated. (17” by 8”)
Flag Knowledge (Cont.)
All-Purpose flags: Flag of lightweight nylon bunting material (9”6 ft. by 5 ft.) replaces
the base flag during inclement weather. It’s also used for outdoor display with flags of
friendly nations in foreign dignitary arrival ceremonies. Flag of rayon bunting material
(4 ft. by 3 ft.) is used for outdoor display with flags of friendly nations in arrival
ceremonies or to indicate joint occupancy of a building by two or more countries
Ceremonial flags: Carried by color guards during ceremonies when two or more
squadrons participate representing a group, wing, NAF, MAJCOM, or Department of the
Air Force. Carried only on occasions when Air Force ceremonial flag or another flag of
the same size is necessary or appropriate. Flags are positioned in line from right to left in
the following order: US flag, Air Force flag, and individual unit flag or flags (5’6” by
4’4”)
Organizational flags: Organizational-size US flag is carried on all other occasions. (4’
by 3’)
Aircraft and Automobile flags: When certain individuals such as President, Vice
President, SECDEF, SECAF, CJCS, CSAF, and general officers travel by air, a
distinguishing metal plate or placard may be displayed in a window of the aircraft. When
they travel by automobile, either a distinguishing flag is attached to the automobile hood
or a metal plate is displayed near the license plate. In addition to above individuals, Air
Force commanders at wing level or above and other persons as designated by MAJCOM
commanders may have distinguishing metal plate displayed on their automobiles
The hoist width of the union is seven stripes
24 Hour Display: Universal custom to display flags only from sunrise to sunset on
buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is
desired, flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours
of darkness. Flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. Flag should
not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when the all-weather
(all-purpose) flag is displayed. Flag should be displayed daily on or near the main
administration building of every public institution, in or near every polling place on
election days, and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.
Flag Knowledge (Cont.)

Halfstaff (In the US): Flag displayed at halfstaff to indicate mourning when
someone of national importance dies. The President specifies the period of time
the flag flies at halfstaff. An instillation also flies flag at halfstaff in honor of the
death of its commander. In the same fashion, the instillation may honor the death
of any assigned officer or airman on active duty or any civilian who died while
employed by the Air Force. Each Memorial Day, flag will fly at halfstaff until
noon. It’s then raised to fullstaff for the remainder of the day unless directed
otherwise by presidential proclamation. When flown at halfstaff, flag is first
hoisted to the peak then lowered to halfstaff position. Flags are only flown at
halfstaff on stationary flagstaffs. Staff projecting from a building is also considered
a stationary flagstaff.

US Flag should not be: dipped to any person or thing (military organizational, state,
and civilian organizational or institutional flags are dipped as a mark of honor); be
used as a furniture covering; be used as a receptacle for receiving or carrying objects;
be draped over any part of a vehicle; used, stored, fastened, or displayed in a manner
that can be easily torn, soiled, or damaged; be used as a cover for a ceiling; lowered
into a grave while on a casket; carried flat or horizontally; be displayed with the
union down (unless as a distress signal); used for advertising purposes; or used as a
cover for a statue or monument
 Care and Disposition of US Flag: A torn flag may be professionally mended, but a
badly torn or tattered flag should be destroyed. When flag is in such a condition that it
is no longer a fitting emblem for display, destroy it in a dignified manner, preferably
burning. There may be instances when a flag is retired from service and preserved
because of its historical significance. In this case, the unit requests disposition
instructions from the proper authority
US Flag Facts
The US flag may be displayed with the union down in order to signal distress
The US Flag was named “Old Glory.” This name was coined by Captain
William Driver (USN) in 1831. At the time, the flag had only 20 stars.
US Flag Facts(cont.)
The only places where Congress authorizes the flag to fly 24 hours a day are:
US Customs Ports of Entry (Presidential Proclamation no. 4131, May 5,
1972); Ground of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park @
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, July 4, 1975); Washington
Monument (Presidential Proclamation no.4064, July 4, 1971); White House
(Presidential Proclamation no.4000, September 4, 1970); On the Green of the
Town of Lexington in Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, November 8,
1965); USMC Memorial @ Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation
no.3418, June 12, 1961); Flag House Square @ Baltimore, Maryland (Public
Law 83-319, March 26, 1954); Fort McHenry @ Baltimore, Maryland
(Presidential Proclamation no.2795, July 2, 1948)
The Executive Order of June 24, 1912 prescribes the proper order of the stars and the
proportions of the flag
The First Flag Act of June 14, 1977 established the official flag for the US
Executive Orders of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 and January 3, 1959
established the current US flag
Although there is no absolute certainty who designed or made the first flag, it is widely
believed that Congressman Francis Hopkinson designed it and Besty Ross made it
Military Drill Terms
Adjutant: Ceremonial position occupied by the junior member of the command staff
in reviews and parades. Adjutant is responsible to the troop or group commander.
Adjutant’s cadence is 140 steps per minute.
Alignment: Dress or cover
Base: Element on which a movement is planned, regulated, or aligned
Cadence: Uniform step and rhythm in marching; number of steps marched per
minute
Center: Middle point of a formation. On odd-numbered front, center is center person
or element. On even-numbered front, center is right center person or element
Cover: Individuals aligning themselves directly behind the person to their immediate
front while maintaining proper distance
Depth: Total space from front to rear of any formation. Depth of individual is
considered 12 inches
Distance: Space from front to rear between units. Distance between individuals in
formation is 40 inches as measured from their chests to backs of individuals directly
in front of them. Flight commanders, guides, and others whose positions in formation
are 40 inches from a rank are themselves considered a rank
Double Time: Rate of marching 180 steps (30 inches in length) per minute
Military Drill Terms (Cont.)
Dress: Alignment of elements side by side or in line maintaining proper interval
Element: Basic formation; smallest drill unit comprised of at least 3, but usually 8 to 12
individuals, one of whom is designated element leader
File: Single column of persons placed one behind the other
Final Line: Line on which adjutant forms front rank of troops for a parade or review
Flank: Extreme right or left (troops right or left) side of a formation in line or in column
Flight: At least 2, but no more than 4, elements
Formation: Arrangement of units
Front: Space occupied by a unit, measured from flank to flank. Front of individual is
considered 22 inches
Guide: Airman designated to regulate direction and rate of march
Head: Leading unit of a column
In Column: Arrangement of units side by side with guide and elements leaders at the
head
In Line: Arrangement of units one behind the other with guide and element leaders to the
extreme right flank
Interval: Space between individuals placed side by side. Normal interval is arm’s length.
Close interval is 4 inches
Inverted Column: Arrangement of units side by side with guide and elements leaders to
the rear
Inverted Line: Arrangement of units one behind the other with the guide and element
leaders to the extreme left flank
Line of March: Line followed by troops as they pass in review
Mark Time: Marching in place at a rate of 100 to 120 steps per minute
Mass Formation: Formation of a squadron or group in which the component units are in
column, abreast of each other, and at close interval
Pace: Step of 24 inches. Length of a full step in quick time
Post: Correct place for an officer, noncommissioned officer (NCO), or Airman to stand
while in formation
Quick Time: Rate of marching at 100 to 120 steps (12 or 24 inches in length) per minute
Rank: Single line of persons placed side by side
Ready Line: Forming line 20 paces to the rear of final line where troops are formed for a
parade or review at an established time prior to Adjutant’s Call
Reviewing Officer: Senior officer participating in a parade or review
Slow Time: The rate of marching at 60 steps per minute (used in funeral ceremonies)
Step: Distance measured from heel to heel between the feet of an individual marching
Unit: Any portion of a given formation
Phonetic Alphabet
A-Alfa
I-India
P-Papa
V-Victor
B-Bravo
C-Charlie
J-Juliet
K-Kilo
Q-Quebec
R-Romeo
W-Whiskey X-Xray
D-Delta
E-Echo
F-Foxtrot G-Gulf H-Hotel
L-Lima
M-Mike
N-November O-Oscar
S-Sierra
T-Tango
U-Uniform
Y-Yankee
Z-Zulu
California Facts
It is the most populous state in the United States with an estimated 38,000,000 people
Highest point is Mt. Whitney @ 14,494 ft. elevation
Lowest point is Death Valley @ -282 ft. elevation
Admitted to the union as the 31st state on September 9, 1850
Current governor is the Honorable Edmund Gerald Brown (D)
US Senators are the Honorable Dianne Feinstein (D) and the Honorable Barbara Boxer
(D)
US House Delegation consists of 38 democrats and 15 republicans
Its capital is Sacramento but its largest city in Los Angeles
The bear on the California flag is the California Grizzly Bear
In 1953, the design and specifications of the California flag were standardized by
Governor Earl Warren
State Beverage: Wine
State Bird: California Quail
State Colors: Blue(sky) and Gold(gold)
State Dance: West Coast Swing
State Fife and Drum Corps: California Consolidated Drum Band
State Fish: Golden Trout
State Flower: California Poppy (B/c poppy is always blooming 365 days a year in
CA)
State Folk Dance: Square Dance
State Fossil: Saber-toothed cat
State Gemstone: Benitoite
State Gold Rush Ghost Town: Bodie
State Grass: Purple Needlegrass
State Historical Society: California Historical Society
State Insect: California Dogface Butterfly
State License Plate: “White with ‘California’ in a red script across the top”
State Mammal: Grizzly Bear
State Marine Mammal: Gray Whale
State Military Museum: California State Military Museum
California Facts (Cont.)
State Mineral: Gold
State Motto: “Eureka!” (I have found it)
State Nickname: The Golden State
State Poet Laureate: The Honorable Carol Muske-Dukes
State Prehistoric Artifact: Chipped stone bear
State Reptile: Desert Tortoise
State Rock: Serpentine
State Silver Rush Ghost Town: Calico
State Slogan: Find Yourself Here
State Soil: San Joaquin
State Song: “I Love You, California” by Francis Bernard Silverwood
State Tall Ship: Californian (schooner)
State Tartan: California State Tartan
State Theater: Pasadena Playhouse
State Tree: Sequoia
The California State Seal features Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom; a
California grizzly bear (official state animal) feeding on grape vines, representing
California wine production; a sheaf of grain, representing agriculture; a miner,
representing the California Gold Rush and the mining industry; sailing ships,
representing the state’s economic power; and San Francisco Bay or the Sacramento
River.
The California state quarter-dollar has, on the back, John Muir (California naturalist),
an Eagle, and Half-dome in Yosemite Valley. The coin was made in 2005
Santa Clarita lies within the 25th California Congressional District. The current
representative is the Honorable Howard McKeon (R)
Santa Clarita lies within the 17th and 19th California State Senate District. The current
senators are the Honorable George Runner (R) and the Honorable Tony Strickland
(R), respectively
th
Santa Clarita lies within the 38 State Assembly District and is currently represented
by the Honorable Cameron Smyth (R)
According to the DoD, there are roughly 1,239,548 active-duty personnel in
California
rd
California has the 3 largest landmass of all states within the US
Richard Nixon was the only President of the United States to be born in California
when he was born in Yorba Linda on January 9, 1913 (37th President from 1969 to
1974)
California was originally thought to be an island by its Spanish discoverers. They
apply named it California as a reference to “Califia,” the mythical name of an island
ruled by a queen. The island was featured in the Spanish romance “Las Sergas de
Esplandian” written in 1510 by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo
Air Force Facts:
Air Force Academy Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Air Force Academy Mascot: Falcon
Official Colors Of The Air Force: Ultra Marine Blue and Air Force Yellow
The Air Force changed to its own separate service on the 18th of September in 1947 (Air Force
Birthday)
Other competition tips and greetings
There are three phases of a competition:
Inspection- This phase is a inspection involving all of this packet and your cadet guide.
Regulation- This phase involves marching and stationary drill that are specified by the
given drill card.
Exhibition-This phase involves doing the exhibition or your chosen team(Rifle, Drill,
Sword(Colorguard does not have an exhibition phase of competition)).
Greetings:
when the drill instructor “clicks” his/her heals you will say:
“good(morning/afternoon)sir/ma’am, cadet (rank) first last name is prepared for
inspection sir/ma’am”
Answering Questions:
Say you are being asked the regulation on you name tag in the service uniform you will
respond with “ In Accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-2903 The name tag is to be
centered and grounded on the right breast pocket.”.