How to put your flag pole together

Here is how to put your flag poles together for drill purposes. The steps can be modified for each teams needs but this is what I would do to for gear set-up.

• Setting up the poles: the first thing to do is make sure the poles match in color and the two pieces will thread together easily. I have had poles that are off on anodizing or the two parts would not thread completely together. Mark the inside of the poles (ex. JV US or VB US)both top and bottom so you can keep the pieces together and match them with the flags you will set up for them.
• Securing the top: if you are using the cones you will have to make modifications to them. If you are using the 1" poles (the female poles) you will have to add some tape (any type, we use electrical) to the end of the pole to keep the cone snug to the end before securing it with the screw. If you are using the 1-1/2" poles (male poles) you will have two modifications, first you will need to fit the cone inside the pole tip and mark where the screw hole meets the cone. The established hole is way too low and raises your cone tip into the air. Drill in a new hole where the mark appears. Next you will have to put tape on the outside, insertable portion of the cone to keep it snug to the inside walls of the pole. Once done, secure with a screw. Note: If you are using the aluminum pole with the spear tips you can only use the larger diameter poles and they will attach to the top easily.
• Attaching the Flag: If you are using the cone tips, align the Velcro with the screw that you are using to secure the cone to the pole. I usually use a 2-1/2" wide strip to allow for adjustment on either side. Puncture a small hole in the top of the flag behind the Velcro tab (the one attached to the flag) and hook it around the screw you are using to hold on the cone and press the Velcro together. This give you extra support so the cadet will not pull the flag off the Velcro when stroking the flags. It is not mandatory, but highly suggested. Once you have the top secured, stretch the flag done and look to where the other ends Velcro strikes the pole. You will want to put a 2-1/2" strip of Velcro there leaving about a 1/8 gap from the tip of the inner Velcro (on the flag) to the bottom edge of the Velcro on the pole. This allows you to pull the flag tight and not have to worry about the pole Velcro showing. I usually mark the flag on the inside lining with whatever pole it belongs to that way I don't have to change the Velcro around. Note: if you are using the spear tips you will want to align the Velcro so the seam of the flag will align with the edge of the spear tip. If you are looking at the spear tip and it appears flat (you can see the "spade" shape) and the flag is aligned…it's wrong. The same goes for the battle axes, the seam of the flag should be aligned with the edge view of the battle axe.

Gear required:

2 - 84G 1-1/4" 8' aluminum poles (males)
2 - 81G 1" 8' aluminum poles (females)
4 - 85SG 8-1/4" round styrene spears
3 - 0211 3x5 w/o fringe
3 - 7711A3 / 7712AF3 / 7713N3 /7714M3 3x5 single w/o fringe
OR
3 - 7711A7 / 7712AF7 / 7713N7 / 7714M7 3x5 double w/fringe
6 - 1802BK OR 18002WH double harness leather carrier
8 - 68 canvas flag cover (no imprint)