OTHER Types of Ropes

Most ropes require an extensive amount of work across a broad array of related topics in a particular field of study to earn that rope. Some have exceptions.

White Rope

White ropes are granted for distinguished participation in drill and ceremonial events.

This category covers all of our drill "performance" elements. Participation on any of these teams is valued at one point, while competition or performance is valued at 2 points per event. The White rope is awarded at the discretion of the commanding officer, and based on separate guidelines he or she established for each activity below (ie, number of performances or competitions, placement, flagships, etc).

  • Color Guard Team Typically a four-person team comprised of two riflemen and two flag bearers who present the national flag at special ceremonies.
  • Armed Drill Team A team of 12 cadets and a commander with rifles who compete in drill commands and unit movement.
  • Unarmed Drill Team A team of 12 unarmed cadets, a commander and a guidon bearer who compete in drill commands and unit movement.
  • Exhibition Drill Team A team of 12 cadets and a commander with rifles who compete in stationary or marching drill movements as well as trick rifle maneuvers that are limited only by the imagination and creativity of the drill unit and established rules for safety. Please keep in mind however that this is a military competition. Cadets may not be lifted off the ground at any time and "blind" tosses are not allowed.
  • Knock-out Drill/Drill Down All cadets on a drill competition roster may enter the Knockout Drill. This is a largely stationary movement single elimination competition
  • Parade Team We participate/perform in parades. In such events, we dissolve our regular platoon structures and march as a single unit with a designated Color Guard and Drum Team.
  • Ceremonial Team A group of cadets that perform a Military Ritual or Honor Ceremony
  • Drum Team Yes, we are starting a drum team (2024). This team consists of cadets interested in percussive music and marching band. More on this later...

Students may earn white ropes in this category for completing a specified series of points. In general though, cadets must perform, qualify, or compete in at least three of the event categories above, and of course, earn 10 points.

Combi-Color Rope

Combi-Color Ropes are earned for completion of two distinct color categories. This might be practical for second-year cadets.

Purple Rope

Purple ropes represent mastery across all the rope categories. Completion of three or more categories is required, plus at least five points in each of the other two. A silver strand is added for completion of the fourth rope category, and a gold strand for the fifth. This might be practical for third- or fourth-year cadets.

Red Rope

Red Ropes are reserved for the Muster Chief in each platoon and is worn on the right arm.

The second in command of a platoon is the Muster Chief, and that person is responsible for "backing up" the platoon commander. The Muster chief drills the platoon while the platoon commander may be otherwise engaged, and seves as an overwatch and mentor for those cadets under his or her purview.

A red rope may be in addition to a standard color rope

Silver Rope

Silver Ropes are reserved for the Team Commander for each major activity and is worn around their right shoulder.

Section Leaders: Section leaders who distinguish themselves may wear a silver or gold cord interwoven to their earned color rope.

A silver or gold rope may be worn in addition to a standard color rope

Gold Rope

Gold Ropes are reserved for the Platoon Commander of each platoon and is worn on the right arm.

Command is so much more than ordering people around. It is the understanding and assumption of responsibility and service to the prople in your command. Command is signified by a gold braid around the right shoulder and arm of those serving as a current platoon or division commander.

Section Leaders: Section leaders who distinguish themselves may wear a silver or gold cord interwoven to their earned color rope.

A silver or gold rope may be worn in addition to a standard color rope