LEADERSHIP:

THE BATTALION WAY

[ 2016 season ]
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Congratulations on your selection as a student leader for the inaugural season of The Battalion,
Utah’s Drum Corps! Your willingness to serve others is one of the greatest things you can share
with other people, and I’m excited to work with you this season as we help guide the corps to
excellence. Here are a few things for you to keep in mind as you read this manual and prepare to
serve those around you:

THE BATTALION WAY

Our goal as an organization is to be professional at ALL TIMES. This includes moving equipment,
equipment care, conduct in and out of rehearsal, and performance. Others should look to us as a
role model of the activity as we perform at the highest level of competition.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This manual will serve as a starting point for your development as a leader. As is often the case
in drum corps, everything written here is subject to change depending on circumstances and the
needs of the corps. During the next few months you will become VERY familiar with adapting to
new or unique challenges. We ask that you do so calmly and professionally becuase the members
will look to you for guidance. As we hope that others will look to our corps as a role model of the
activity, those students you have stweardship over will likewise look to you as a role model. Please
help us to mold them into the great performers we know they can be.

TRUST AND COMMUNICATION

As a student leader you will be an advocate for the members of your sections to the staff. Likewise,
you will be our ambassadors to the students. The trust that we are placing in you is great, but I
know that each of you is up to the challenge.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. We’re all in this together, and I can’t
wait to get started!

Sincerely,

Mark T. Hartman,
Program Director
The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
MISSION OF THE BATTALION
The mission of The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps is to provide learning and performance
opportunities for young adults that develop their character, leadership skills, artistry, selflessness,
and spirituality in a Christian-values-based environment.

CORPS IDENTITY
Music is an essential part of the human experience, and opportunities to create music, especially
in the drum corps activity, should be available to all. We welcome all who have qualified
themselves through the development of their character and talent to audition for and perform
with The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps.

In order to create the most inclusive and accepting environment possible, we aim to facilitate
an instructional and performance climate that allows as many qualified individuals in our
community as possible to participate in the drum corps activity. We know that many in our
community come from religious backgrounds, and it is in this spirit that The Battalion Drum
& Bugle Corps will allow those members to attend worship services while on tour, if they so
choose.

To further cater to our recruitment base, The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps will not compete
on Sundays in order to allow corps members take part in preplanned community outreach and
service projects where the corps is housed while on tour.

Regardless of religion, race, color, gender, or orientation, we invite, encourage, and welcome
students from every background to experience the magic of drum and bugle corps in the
inclusive, wholesome environment we aim to create. We are excited to bring the magic of
marching music’s major league to an underserved community.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP
There is no single correct way to be an effective student leader. However, there are things that
are standard leadership ideals, and this handbook serves as a point of reference and starting place
for you as you develop your own leadership abilities in The Battalion. The Battalion student
leader should exhibit all of these attributes and skills. They are best used when coming from a
foundation of love. Seek to love and understand those in your section that you serve. Battalion
student leadership can be summed up in two words: love and service. People do not care how
much you know until they know how much you care.
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
PROFESSIONALISM
TIMELINESS

“To be early is to be on time to be on time is to be late.”

As a student leader you are expected to be early enough that if something unexpected happens
before rehearsal you can take care of it. This is generally ten to fifteen minutes early. Make sure
to have a timekeeping device other than your phone such as a watch. Phones can be distracting
and unreliable. Make sure that your watch is synced with the time the corps is operating on.
Make timeliness a priority and your section will follow your example.

A Battalion student leader comes to rehearsals prepared. They are the first to turn in assignments
and memorize music/drill/work so that they can help their sections with these tasks.

RESPONSIBILITY

Assume responsibility for your actions. When you make a mistake do not blame anyone; simply
correct it and move on. Always be aware of how your choices affect your section and the corps.
As a student leader you are also responsible for your section and their actions.

RESPECT

Show respect for yourself and for the name you carry.

Your position as a student leader for The Battalion doesn’t grant you any more respect than what
you earn. It is only a title. You must respect yourself and each member of your section. Give this
respect freely. Show respect to the staff and educators who are there for you. Be sure to always
say please and thank you to the volunteers who are giving up their time to make our experience
great. You cannot overuse these two words.

Show respect for the housing sites by leaving them cleaner than we found them. Take care of all
the equipment we use so that it will last. As a member of The Battalion, you are a representative
of the corps at all times. This is especially true whenever you are in uniform.
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
THE UNIFORM

The corps uniform for musicians consists of a jacket, pants, marching shoes, shako with plume,
and various accessories (gauntlets, citation cords, drop sash, etc.). There are two acceptable ways
to wear the uniform:

1. Full uniform: The entire uniform, with or without shakos as directed by leadership.
2. Half uniform: Also known as “halves,” this consists of your marching shoes, full-length black
socks, uniform pants, and undershirt (as defined by corps management). For hornline members,
this will also include your show gloves for your horns. Your jacket should be folded neatly with
your necessary accessories and carried with your shako. How to fold and carry your jacket and
shako will be defined by your student leaders.

No unauthorized additions to the uniform are allowed (i.e., good lucks charms, pins, etc.). If you
wish to have these items with you, they must be worn or carried underneath your jacket and not
be visible.

UNIFORM WEAR

In any performance setting, there is an expectation of uniformity – a specific, consistent image

across the ensemble. As such, there is a set of expectations whenever you are wearing the
uniform:

• All performers must shower before getting into uniform.

• All male musician performers will have haircuts above ears and above neckline when in
uniform. Sideburns will not be longer than earlobes. Neatly trimmed mustaches, beards and
goatees are allowed, but otherwise, face must be clean-shaven for all uniform performances. The
corps management reserves the right to approve grooming for all uniform performances.
• All female musician performers will have hair up and tightly pulled back so that when shako is
off, it gives a neat and orderly appearance.
• No jewelry of any kind will be worn during uniform performances except for corps necklace.
• All musician performers are responsible for having clean shoes and gloves/wristbands.
• After each performance, the uniform should be hung up and stored correctly.
• Plumes are delicate and should be stored properly at all times.
• Any issues relating to uniform maintenance/upkeep (torn pants, damaged gauntlets, etc.) should
be reported immediately.

Any exceptions to the above must be approved by the corps management.

UNIFORM BEHAVIOR

In addition to the expectations of uniform wear, there is a set of expectations for your
behavior whenever in uniform. Remember that when you are wearing your uniform, you are
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
a representative of the entire Battalion organization. Please exercise common sense and good
judgment in your choice of language and behavior.

• Be polite and respectful at all times.

• Do not raise your voice.
• Do not speak inappropriately (no swearing).
• Do not run in uniform.
• Do not eat in uniform.
• Do not drink anything other than water in uniform.
• Do not sit on the ground or lean against anything.
• Do not clean your instrument, load the truck, or do anything else in uniform that might
jeopardize it.
• Do not chew gum.
• Do not use the restroom unless it is an emergency.
• Do not go anywhere alone. Always walk with at least one other member of the corps.
• Do not make negative comments about The Battalion or our members.
• Do not make negative comments about another organization or its members.
• The use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs is strictly prohibited.

As with the rule for wearing the uniform, any exceptions to the above must be approved by the
corps management. The majority of these rules also apply when you are wearing your corps
jacket or any other apparel that identify you as a member of The Battalion.

ATTITUDE
Never complain. This does nothing to solve the problem; instead, it inflates it and lowers the
morale of those around you. When you hear others complain do your best to help them stop
and realize that complaining does not help the corps succeed. This will require you to help your
section gain a change of perspective. Changing your point of view towards a problem or situation
will often help you to remediate it.

As a student leader how you present yourself in any situation has a large impact on your section’s
attitude. Retain composure even when things are not going as they should. Be calm, cool, and
collected.

Strive to maintain a positive attitude. Smile even when you don’t feel like it. Be encouraging
and optimistic with your section. Focus on the we/us rather than the I/me, and be patient with
yourself and your section. Be genuine in your efforts to have a positive attitude. People can
see when you say and do things without believing/meaning them. This takes a lot of effort
individually but is possible.
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
C.L.A.S.S. – FOLLOWING THE MISSION
“Our mission at The Battalion is to develop Character, Leadership Skills, Artistry, Selflessness,
and Spirituality (C.L.A.S.S.) through the performance and learning opportunities we provide.
Our members should always embody C.L.A.S.S. Period. And that starts with leadership.”
– Dallin Hatch, Corps Founder and Executive Director

CHARACTER

The following are the character traits of a Battalion student leader:

• Selfless: They are willing to give of their time, love, and attention to anyone in the corps.
• Persistent: They have given up giving up and always strive to do their best.
• Consistent: They consistently give their best and are dependable.
• Affable: Battalion student leaders are easy to get along with and a pleasure to be around.
• Honest: They never spread a lie or a half truth. They recognize the importance of being their
true self and helping others to do the same by creating a culture of respect and inclusion for all
members of the corps.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

“I lead best when I help others to go where we’ve decided to go.

I lead best when I help others to use themselves creatively.
I lead best when I forget about myself as a leader and focus on my group…
Their needs and their goals.
To lead is to serve... To give... To achieve together.”
– Anonymous

Expectations and Goal Setting

The best groups are the ones that are lead from within. At The Battalion, the success of the corps
is determined by the students. As a student leader you are responsible for driving this success.
One of the best ways to accomplish this is through goal setting. Start long-term and work your
way backwards. At the end of the season where do you want to be individually? Where do you
want your section to be? After you have an answer to these questions brainstorm how to get there
and then set achievable, measurable goals to help you and your section get there.

Evaluate these goals and your plan to achieve them regularly. Are they working for your section?
Is there something else that might help? Do not be afraid to change these goals as necessary to
meet the needs of your section. Always have a purpose behind your goals and help your section
buy into the importance of achieving the small steps on the path to finishing the larger race.

Communicate your expectations with your section clearly. When they are not being met, work
with the individual to find out the root of the problem rather than just criticizing. Never criticize
in public! When providing correction, do so from a place of love and concern for the success of
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
the individual. Focus on what was going right and use that to help fix what is going wrong. Help
them to realize their importance in the success of the corps and their value as a member. When a
member is successful, praise publicly! This boosts the individual’s confidence and the morale of
the group. It can also create a positive energy as others strive for success.

Communication
Mean what you say, say what you mean.

Communication is one of the most important aspects of being a student leader. You need to
be able to communicate clearly with your section and with your staff. When communicating
instruction, choose your words carefully. There is brutality, and there is honesty; there is no such
thing as brutal honesty. We are all learning and no one appreciates being yelled at or talked down
to.

Never say an unkind word about anyone in the corps. If it comes to being right or being kind,
always choose to be kind. We spend a large amount of time together and there is no room for the
drama caused by talking behind each other’s backs or being unkind to one another.

When having conversations, we often forget to listen. Instead we are thinking of how we are
going to respond. Actively work to change this habit. Listen to what members are saying and
what they aren’t saying. You will be a better friend and leader as a result.

Work/Play Balance
There is a time to play and there is a time to work. Hard work can be fun. Keep a positive
attitude throughout the rehearsal but remember that rehearsal is time to work. Inspire good work
ethic by being the hardest worker in your section.

Following vs. Leading: The Chain of Command

You can’t lead others until you lead yourself.

The most important leaders are the first and second follower. A good leader needs people to
follow and the first ones to take that step have more influence on the rest of the group than the
designated leader does.

A leader does not lead all the time. Knowing when to lead and when to follow will require you
to assess each situation and confidently be one or the other. A successful leader does not always
have to be in front of the group either. Some of the best leaders are the ones you can’t see. These
people lead by example and encourage from within the group.

Follow the chain of command. If there is a question or problem in your section, members should
ask two people before asking their student leader. If the student leader does not have the solution
they ask other members of the leadership team or their respective staff as appropriate. Unless the
information is confidential or specifically for a staff member, questions, concerns, and problems
should follow this path. Many day-to-day questions can be answered by asking those around you
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
and the student leadership team.

Decision Making
Be smart and timely in the decisions that you make. Your section is counting on you to be
decisive. The best way to get better at decision making is by practice. You are going to make
some wrong choices, and that’s okay. It is part of being human. When those mistakes happen,
recognize them, learn from them and move on. Do not dwell on your errors; rather, think how
to make a better choice next time. We do not have the time nor the energy to spend beating
ourselves up over our mistakes.

Delegation
Being a leader does not mean you do everything or are even the best at everything. There is
always somebody that could do your job better than you. It does mean that we trust you to be an
example and to make intelligent decisions regarding your section and the responsibilities being
placed on you and them. Take a personal inventory of your strengths and weakness often. Take
inventory of members of your section’s strengths and weakness. When tasks are assigned to
your section, delegate. Delegate assignments to who you think would do the best job. Include
everybody! Everyone is good at something. Know the members of your section well enough to
delegate intelligently. Be specific with your expectations for the outcome of the task and the time
it needs to be done in. Avoid phrases like, “...by the end of this week,” or, “...when we finish.”
Instead, say, “...by Saturday at 9:00pm”.

Delegating does many things. It shows members of your section that you trust them. These
responsibilities will help members develop C.L.A.S.S. It also creates unity because everyone is
working towards a common goal.

When you delegate tasks, always follow up! Follow up early and often. However, be careful
that this does not turn into nagging or micromanaging. When a member is struggling to fulfill
an assignment, see how you can help by asking what they need and then doing what you can or
delegating to other members who would provide good assistance. Do not hang on at every step
of the process. Check in and then move on if nothing else is required of you. Battalion members
are smart and capable - never forget that and never let them forget that!

Lead By Example
The best leaders realize the power of leading by example. They are willing to do everything they
are asking of their section and more. Rather than giving orders and staying aloft these leaders roll
up their sleeves and get to work alongside the members of their group. If you want members of
your section to give 100%, you have to reach further and give 150%.

ARTISTRY

A Battalion member performs with great technique and sound quality. We will LOOK and
SOUND like the world-class ensemble that we are. More specifics on this will be provided
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
through instruction and exercises.

A Battalion member performs with a high level of musicality and emotional connection. We are
a world-class ensemble and will explore the highest levels of musical nuance and expression.
Our goal is to connect with our audience and fans through emotions transferred through your
performance.

As a student leader it is your job to be the example of the level of artistry we are trying to
achieve and to help your section perform at a world-class level.

SELFLESSNESS

Leadership is for giving.

Leadership is forgiving.

An attitude of selflessness is one that is developed over time. It is cultivated by asking yourself
a series of questions such as: What needs to be done? How can I help? And then digging in and
helping out wherever you can.

Selflessness also comes from having the best interests of the corps and its members at heart.
Look out for the members of your section. Be considerate of their needs and struggles and be
generous with your time. Do your best to honestly answer/solve any question or problem you
encounter in your section.

SPRITUALITY

All members should respect and protect the beliefs and backgrounds of everyone in the corps, no
matter where they are coming from.

For The Battalion, spirituality doesn’t mean forcing anyone into religious practice while in the
corps. What it does mean, as defined in the context of this corps, is the freedom to discover
oneself through drum corps. People learn a lot about themselves when they are on their own in
a tough environment. That’s exactly what drum corps is all about. For some, that will involve
getting closer to deity. For some, it would mean a journey to discover their inner strengths and
hidden talents/abilities.

We want everyone to feel like they are in an environment where they can develop their
spirituality on a personal level in the way they choose, provided it is in line with our code of
conduct. Because it is so personal, and because we have people from so many backgrounds,
we want to make sure nobody comes away from being in Battalion with the feeling that it’s an
organization that tries to convert people.
 LEADERSHIP: THE BATTALION WAY
From a leadership standpoint, that means being a champion for everybody in your section, to
protect them from bullying, to help them feel included and bought in, and to let them know that
they are “accepted” by the group. Not only that, but also to empower them to become a leader
and to understand the power they have to be a force for good in the corps and beyond.

CULTURE
The Battalion family is dedicated to developing the individual. This happens when a culture of
love and respect is formed. As a student leader you promote this culture through your service
and attitude. By not only getting to know everyone in your section but also everyone in the
corps, you can help establish and maintain this corps family. Everyone is included and no one is
forgotten or put down. We accept each other regardless of age, experience, race, color, religion,
sex, orientation or any other label that society uses.

At The Battalion we pull each other up by celebrating each other’s successes and encouraging
improvement amongst all the members. We are all learning together and creating a legacy that
will last for generations to come.
At the conclusion of the season this group of people will never perform together again. Do all
you can to make this experience a positive and impactful one for those in your section. Enjoy
every moment of the journey because it is a once in a lifetime experience.