As far as I am aware, the DoD has only one authorized version of "Taps." The website for the President's Own Marine Band lists this as the official notation:
http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/learn...ments/taps.pdf
So, to answer your question, I play straight eighth notes. I don't play in strict time. For me, "Taps" is slightly different every time I play...once I get started, it sort of plays itself, and I try to not get in the way.
On a differnt note, I am not in the Marine Corps any longer. I am now a full time student at Indiana University and have transferred to the National Guard.