Cadets in white uniforms and red berets perform a rifle drill outdoors in formation.

Norwich Drill Team and Color Guard

Be part of a tradition built on discipline and teamwork that spans generations of excellence.

The Norwich Drill Team and Color Guard demand focus, unity, and integrity in every performance, shaping cadets into leaders who carry the pride of a world champion wherever they go.

On this page:


Why Join the Drill Team?

Each command in Drill builds precision through trust, shaping the discipline that defines a world champion team.

You learn discipline that strengthens focus and confidence that grows through shared effort. The work is demanding, but it builds pride in every movement and meaning in every performance. Through each ceremony and competition, you carry forward a standard of excellence proven on the world stage and strengthened by those who came before you.

Joining Drill means becoming part of that legacy, one built by students who set high expectations for themselves and the team beside them.

Benefits of Joining Drill

Line of cadets in gray dress uniforms and caps performing a synchronized arm movement during outdoor drill practice.

Precision and Discipline

Train to move as one, where every motion, step, and salute reflects hours of practice and focus.

Learn the discipline to perform under any condition, from midnight vigil tours to national competitions.

Maintain exact standards in dress, posture, and timing, carrying the same focus into your studies and beyond.

Discover how consistent effort turns precision into confidence and discipline into pride.

Group of cadets in white short-sleeve uniforms laughing and posing together, some wearing colorful beads and costume accessories.

Teamwork and Trust

Rely on those beside you in every drill, learning that confidence stems from preparation and unity.

Build trust through shared responsibility, where each role matters and every detail affects the team.

Grow stronger through collaboration, feedback, and the support that keeps you improving together.

Experience what it means to lead and follow with equal purpose, always focused on the team’s success.

Cadet in gray dress uniform and white hat stands at attention with a rifle over one shoulder on a lawn filled with small American flags and a cannon in the background.

Legacy and Leadership

Represent Norwich at ceremonies, competitions, and events that connect you to generations of cadets.

Step into leadership through experience, from learning basic movements to commanding a full team.

Learn how steady leadership earns trust and strengthens the team around you.

Carry forward the tradition and pride of a world champion team whose legacy continues to grow.

About the Drill Team & Color Guard

Joining the Drill Team and Color Guard builds discipline through precision and teamwork, transforming focus into confidence that carries into every performance.

Every movement is intentional, every formation built on trust, and every performance a reflection of relentless practice.

This cadet-led unit stands among the best in the nation, earning recognition as 2025 World Drill Champions and Hall of Fame inductees at the World Drill Championships in Daytona. The team also competes at the Tulane Drill Meet, where Norwich consistently places alongside large senior military colleges like Texas A&M, The Citadel, and Virginia Tech.

Beyond competition, Drill plays an essential role in Norwich ceremonies and traditions.  Members take part in solemn events such as the 9/11 Vigil, where cadets walk silent tours through the night to honor the fallen, and Echo Taps, which marks the close of the 24-hour remembrance. Whether presenting Colors on the parade ground or standing watch in quiet reflection, Drill members uphold a legacy defined by precision, discipline, and pride in every movement.

Open to all cadets within the Corps, Drill offers opportunities for leadership and growth at every level. You start by learning the fundamentals of movement and teamwork, then progress to planning, instructing, and commanding. The lessons in focus, unity, and perseverance stay with you long after you leave The Hill.

The Color Guard is the public face of Norwich pride and tradition.

Every appearance is a display of discipline, pride, and respect. This distinguished unit represents both Norwich University and the State of Vermont, a title formally recognized in 1975, when the governor designated the Norwich Color Guard as the official Color Guard of Vermont.

The Color Guard carries the Colors for the United States, Vermont, the Armed Services, and Norwich University, appearing at ceremonies on campus and across the region. Members maintain exacting standards in bearing and presentation, often standing for long periods in perfect alignment as they present and protect the Colors.

Their presence defines Norwich’s most visible moments, from parades and reviews to events like Homecoming and Commencement. The Color Guard also travels beyond Vermont to take part in events such as the Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans, representing Norwich alongside the Drill Team during the annual Tulane Drill Meet.

As part of the Drill Team, the Color Guard represents generations of cadets who embody the highest standards of service, composure, and pride.

Life in the Drill Team blends precision, discipline, and teamwork, offering cadets a distinctive way to grow, perform, and lead within the Corps of Cadets.

Finding Your Form
The first weeks on the Drill Team are about learning how to move with precision and trust.

Students in uniform practice drill movements with swords on a grassy campus lawn.

New members begin with the fundamentals of rifle handling, marching, and formation, working alongside upper-class cadets who set the pace and guide the process. Each movement requires focus and consistency, and every repetition builds discipline. The first time the team moves as one, you feel the precision that defines Drill and the pride that comes from earning your place within it.

A Week in the Team
Drill demands focus and balance. Practices take place throughout the week, often early mornings or late evenings, as cadets refine routines and prepare for ceremonies or competitions. Color Guard members handle daily flag duties, raising and lowering the Colors across campus in all weather. Managing Drill alongside Corps duties and academics teaches cadets how to prioritize their time. Many also take part in athletics or student organizations.

Earning Your Place 
As cadets advance, they take on greater responsibility through planning practices, organizing tryouts for competition teams, and maintaining equipment.

Upper-class cadets lead by example, guiding newer members and ensuring every detail is executed with precision. The team’s success depends on trust, accountability, and shared commitment to the standard they represent.

Challenge and Reward 
The expectations are high, but the rewards last long after the final performance. Hours of practice and preparation build confidence that shows in every step and movement. These lessons shape cadets into leaders who stay calm under pressure, value teamwork, and uphold the legacy of Norwich’s 2025 World Drill Champions and Hall of Fame inductees.

Cadet color guard stands at attention holding service flags during ceremony.

Interested in becoming part of a world champion Drill Team?

Students can join at the start of each new academic year in the fall. Begin by filling out the Request Drill Info, and a member of the drill staff will contact you to talk about your experience, interests, and next steps.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from students who want to join.

Who can join the Drill Team?
The Drill Team is open to all cadets within the Corps, regardless of experience level. You don’t need prior drill or color guard training; everything is taught through hands-on practice and mentorship.

When can I join?
New members are welcomed at the start of each academic year in the fall. Training begins together, so everyone learns the same fundamentals from day one.

Do I have to commit all four years?
No, but you’re welcome to. Students are encouraged to explore other ceremonial units and leadership roles during their time at Norwich. Some choose to balance multiple units, while others take on a new one each year.

Do I earn credit for participating?
Drill does not currently award academic credit. The experience itself builds valuable skills in leadership, discipline, and teamwork.

What events does the Drill Team participate in?
Drill members take part in daily operations such as the changing of the Colors and various campus ceremonies and events throughout the year. Major events include the 9/11 Vigil and Echo Taps, Alumni Weekend, and national competitions, including the Tulane Drill Meet and World Drill Championships.

How do I become part of the competition team?
Each year, auditions are held to determine the members who will compete at the national level. Selection is based on consistency, precision, and commitment to the team. Cadets who demonstrate these qualities, even first-year members, are encouraged to try out.

Where can I get more information?
Complete the Request Drill Info form to get in touch with a member of the drill team.

Key Band Performances

  1. FTX, Arrival, Oath

    Field Training Exercise (FTX) Week

    Rook Arrival Day

     Rook Oath Ceremony

  1. Parades, Ceremonies, and more

    Northfield Labor Day Parade

     9/11 Vigil and Echo Taps

    Alumni Weekend

    • Review with Retreat
    • Alumni Parade

    Corps and University Reviews

  1. Competitions, Ceremonies

    Tulane Drill Meet, New Orleans, Louisiana

    World Drill Championships, Daytona, Florida

    Commencement