1. FOCUS ON THE BAND - There is no honor in winning a trophy if you fail in your leadership responsibilities; lead by example! 2. ALWAYS COMPLIMENT OTHER DRUM MAJORS - not only should you avoid antagonizing / motiviating potential rivals, but appreciate the fact that they have more in common with you than your own band members.
	3. REMEMBER THAT YOUR DIRECTOR IS ALWAYS RIGHT - even if you may doubt this statement, never show those doubts to others. If you need to "confer", do so privately - never in front of band members!
4. AVOID ALLOWING YOUR "PERSONAL LIFE" TO INTERFERE WITH DOING YOUR JOB - No matter how happy / sad / lovesick / griefstricken you may be, it cannot be worth letting down all the people depending on you!
5. WATCH OTHER DRUM MAJORS - This is the best way to learn. You can always find something they do well; if not, refer to #2. 6. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE THE ULTIMATE PERFORMER - The eyes of audience and judges alike are on you at all times; ensure every motion is planned and perfected to the ultimate degree.
7. NEVER WASTE REHEARSAL TIME - at the end of the season, there should be no "regrets"; the "what-ifs" that haunt everyone at some time or another can be avoided by the certainty that you used every available minute to solve problems.
	8. REHEARSE AND LEAD THE BAND - If you are only a "human metronome", you are not helping the band as you could. Your job is to serve as a director surrogate. 9. WORK HARDER & LONGER THAN EVERYONE ELSE - This will earn you the respect that you need to be successful. Your peers may not love you, but they will follow a leader!
10. TREASURE EVERY MOMENT - Some time very soon, you will leave the field for the last time. You will quickly forget all the sweat & tears (hopefully there was no blood), and the fond memories will stay with you for the rest of your life (as will the work ethic)!