That is essentially correct. We typically marshall aircraft right up to
the runway itself, at which point the lead controller for that
particular runway (standing with a spotter on the "MOO-COW" little
trailer parked next to the runway) calls you out by "N" number (or "C"
letters for that matter!) and will typically tell you "into position
and hold".
We do not, ever, clear anyone onto the runway ourselves. The pink
shirts do that. When I work the "point" (the position where all the
traffic merges together right before the runway) I usually have a radio
that I'm monitoring.
Hence, we may be telling you to stop, and the controller wants you to
move. There might be slight delay. Or we are telling you to stop for
another reason, such as sorting out an IFR departure that may stage
from a different area and needs to move thru. (especially with RWY 27
departures, we don't have much room to work with on rwy 9 departures).
But in essence, an orange shirt should not be waving you onto the
runway. Only the pink shirts do. (unless we are told to by a pink
shirt).
I think the most fun at OSH for a volunteer is the point on RWY 9-27
just after the airshow. I would think it comes closest to what working
on an aircraft carrier deck must be like (on dry land). I know the
controllers like it. It is a thing of beauty when it works right.

Ryan
Co-Chair, Flight Line OPS, EAA OSH
Madison, WI