2. HOW EXACTLY ARE THE MEMBERS CHOSEN?:
As you can imagine, the selection process from the beginning is extremely difficult. While largely a matter of opinion, literally HUNDREDS of quality nominees many looked through to get down to the original 13 inductees. In our original 13 members, we wanted to embody both the historic influence, as well as both competition and non-competitive (performance) drill, as well as teachers/mentors that worked for decades changing the lives of youngsters in their program, as well as programs around them. The pressure was high and second-guessing is understandable. Rest assured, we have HUNDREDS of quality nominees ready to go for the future

3. YOU HAVE NO CADETS LISTED IN THE DHOF?:
A very valid point to bring up. Although several cadets were looked at during the nomination process, we simply could not find a single cadet that made such a massive contribution to the military drill world that would warrant inclusion within this initial induction. I have no doubt several of these cadets will gain the support in future years to enter the DHOF.

4. WHY DO YOU INDUCT GROUPS/TEAMS, ETC. - NO OTHER HOF DOES THAT?:
We at the DHOF believe it is often hard to separate the best cadets from the best teams. Unlike professional baseball, basketball, etc. military drill teams are largely comprised of cadets, instructors, parents, and administrators that must work TOGETHER to forge a truly GREAT team. Trying to decide if a single cadets was the driving force is hard from a team that may be dominate long after that cadet leaves. That said, several solo and/or dual exhibition cadets were considered for inclusion and again, I have no doubt that in the future several will be a part of the DHOF. But I believe individual cadets will always be hard to select and under represented as they only stay for a few years and their impact is harder to measure than that of an instructor or administrator who may remain for decades or more.

5. THERE IS NOBODY ON THE DHOF FROM THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES - WHY?:
Competition drill and demonstration is executed across the United States and in fact, in pockets around the world. Long discussions have been carried out until the wee hours of the night regarding the state of drill in the western United States. Some people believe in general, the quality of military drill on the far western United States cannot compare to that done on the east coast by talent alone. Other people believe there is very little difference, but the major media outlets and those who are big drill proponents are located on the east coast and therefore, they have a natural bias towards those groups. Others think it is simply a matter of exposure as eastern teams generally go to more drill meets and get seen by more teams (usually a matter of closer geography between schools) and therefore are talked about more.

We at Sports Network International believe every one of these has truth. We have had several west coast teams attend the NHSDTC over the years.

In general, these teams have fared poorly. Painting with a broad brush, the teams seem to be exhibition centric and they did not maintain the skill set within the basic, fundamental event of Inspection, Regulation and Color Guard to seriously compete with the best teams in the nation. That said, there is little doubt that bias comes into play and there have certainly been individuals who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of military drill in the western United States yet these people tend to toil enigmatically

6. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPETITION DRILL AND PERFORMANCE DRILL?:
Competition drill is military drill that is executed in front of judges and is being scored against other teams. This scoring is generally very controlled and maintains many fundamental parameters that are very inflexible. All ROTC / JROTC units that form and practice hard to perform within the confines of a military service manual and judges who will evaluate their performance using that as the standard are executing competition drill.

Performance drill is very different. Performance drill is done strictly for the viewing pleasure of the spectators, and/or the fulfillment of the performer. No scoring is ever a part of a true performance drill and those who watch this form of drill should resist the urge to make comparisons to those units who largely compete when they drill. This form of drill tends to try more creative things that likely would not be viewed favorably within the competition drill arena. Good examples of these units include the U.S. Army Drill Team, the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, New Guard America, as well as the King's Guard from Honolulu, Hawaii

7. WHY IS THERE NOBODY REALLY INVOLVED IN UNARMED DRILL IN THE DHOF?:
This is true and not true. While I will agree the tenor of this list is largely based in armed exhibition drill, CMSgt. Frank Killebrew & Oxon Hill High School we quite prolific in the Unarmed side of the house throughout the 1990's. In fact, the impact of Oxon Hill was LARGELY on the Unarmed Exhibition drill side of the house. Also, there are SEVERAL MEMBERS who I have no doubt will be inducted in the coming years that had a major influence on unarmed drill - they simply could not get in within the 13-member, first-year limitation or they have yet to announce they are retiring!

8. WHAT IF I WANT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE?:
If you have a passion for military drill and you believe someone you know has made a huge impact on the state of drill regionally or nationally, we welcome your information and we will consider it. Just remember, if you are trying to nominate an instructor, it must be someone who has decades of work, who has made a tangible difference in the world of drill, and he/she must be either facing retirement in the year you are seeking a nomination or they have already retired.

Simply click on the contact button above and shoot an email to SNI and we will keep you suggestion on file. You just never know!

9. WHAT ABOUT FLAG TEAM, ACADEMIC TEAM, MARKSMANSHIP OR OTHER RELATED TEAM?:
Sorry, this list is exclusively for military drill performers, supporters, etc. - let them get their own Hall!