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CHAPTER 9: DRILL AND CERMONY
DRILL PROCEDURES
Many drill procedures used by the United States Army today were developed during the Revolutionary War. The purpose of the drill then was to instill discipline in American soldiers. As these soldiers mastered the art of the drill, they began to work as a team and to develop a sense of pride in themselves and in their unit. In today’s Army, the same objectives—teamwork, confidence, pride, alertness, attention to detail, esprit de corps, and discipline—are accomplished by drill.
A drill consists of a series of movements by which movements by which a unit or individuals are moved in an orderly, uniform manner from one formation to another move a unit or individuals in an orderly, uniform manner from one formation to another or from one place to another. Units vary in size, but in basic combat training (BCT), you will ordinarily be part of a squad, section, platoon, or company. Figure 9-1, illustrates some drill formations.
You will need to know the following drill terms:
Element: This is an individual, squad, section, platoon, company, or larger unit formed as part of the next higher unit.
Formation: This is an arrangement of the unit’s elements in a prescribed manner such as a line formation, in which the elements are side-by-side, and column formation, in which the elements are one behind the other. In a platoon column, the members of each squad are one behind the other with the squads abreast.
Front: This is a space from one side to the other side of a formation, and includes the right and left elements.
Figure 9-1. Drill Formations (without weapons)
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Depth: This is a space from the front to the rear of a formation, including the front and rear elements.
Distance: This is the space between elements that are one behind the other. The distance between individuals is an arm’s length plus 6 inches, or approximately 36 inches, measured from the chest of one soldier to the back of the soldier immediately to his or her front.
Interval: This is the space between side-by-side elements.
Rank: This is a line that is only one element in depth.
File: This is a column that has a front of one element.
Guide: This is the person responsible for maintaining the prescribed direction and rate of march.
Post: This is the correct place for an officer or noncommissioned officer to stand in a prescribed formation.
Head: This is a column’s leading element.
Base: This is the element around which a movement is planned or regulated.
Cadence: This is a uniform rhythm or number of steps or counts per minute.
Quick Time: This is a cadence of 120 counts (steps per minute).
Double Time: This is a cadence of 180 counts (steps per minute).
Drill commands are oral orders given by your commander or leader, usually in two parts. The preparatory command states the movement to be carried out and gets you ready to execute the order. The command of execution tells when the movement is to be carried out. In the command “Forward, march,” the preparatory command is “Forward,” and the command of execution is “March.”
In some commands, the preparatory command and the command of execution are combined, for example, “Fall in”, “At ease,” and “Rest”. These commands are given without inflection and at a uniformly high pitch and loudness comparable to that of a normal command of execution
STATIONARY MOVEMENT
Attention: Figure 9-2 illustrates the position of attention. You should assume this position on the command “Fall in “or “Squad/Platoon, attention”.
Your weight should be distributed equally on the heels and balls of your feet. When you come to attention, bring your heels together smartly with your toes forming a 45 degree angle, as shown in Figure 2-2. Keep your legs straight without locking your knees. Hold your body erect with your hips level, your chest lifted, and your shoulders square and even. Your arms should hang straight, but not stiff, with the backs of your hands outward. Curl your fingers so that the tips of our thumbs are alongside and touching the first joint of the forefingers. Your thumbs should be straight and along the seams of your trousers or skirt. The first joint of your forefingers should touch the trousers or skirt. Keep your head erect, and look straight to the front.
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Face to the Rear : Facing to the rear is also a two-count movement and is illustrated in Figure 9-4. The command is “About, face”. On the command of execution, “Face”, touch the toe of your right foot to the ground about half the length of your foot to the rear and slightly left of the left heel. Rest your weight on the heel of your left foot, and allow your right knee to bend naturally. On the second count, turn 180 degrees to the right on the left heel and on the ball of the right foot, resuming the position of attention. Hold your arms at attention when executing this movement.
Hand Salute : The hand salute is a one-count movement. he command is “Present, arms”. When wearing headgear with a visor (with or without glasses), on the command of execution, “Arms”, raise the right hand sharply, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down, and place the tip of the right forefinger on the rim of the visor slightly to the right of the right eye. The outer edge of the hand is slightly canted downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is clearly visible from the front. The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined slightly forward, and the upper arm horizontal as shown in Figure 9-
When wearing headgear without a visor or when uncovered, and when not wearing glasses, execute the hand salute in the same manner as previously described, except touch the tip of the right forefinger to the forehead near the right eyebrow, slightly to the right of the right eye.
“Order, arms“ is a one-count movement from the hand salute. On the command of execution “Arms”, return the hand sharply to the side, resuming the position of attention.
When reporting or rendering courtesy to an individual, turn the head and eyes toward the person addressed and simultaneously salute. In this situation, the actions are executed without command. The salute is initiated by the subordinate at the appropriate time and terminated upon acknowledgment.
Figure 9-4. Face to the Rear
Figure 9-5. Hand Salutes
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The hand salute may be executed while marching. When double-timing, a soldier must come to quick time before saluting. However, when a formation is marching at double time, only the individual in charge assumes quick time and salutes.
STEPS AND MARCHING
All steps in marching are variations of 30 inch or 15 inch steps. You must learn these well before you can proceed to unit drill. All marching movements executed from the halt begin from the position of attention. All marching movements, except for route step, march, and at ease, can be executed from the halt. All steps except right step begin with the left foot.
30-Inch Step: The command to march with a 30-inch step from the halt is “Forward, march”. When you hear the “Forward”, shift your weight to the right leg without noticeable movement. On the command of execution, ”March”, step forward with your left foot and continue marching with 30-inch steps, keeping your head and eyes forward. Your arms should swing in a natural motion, without bending at the elbows, approximately 9 inches straight forward and 6 inches to the rear of the seams of your trousers or skirt. Keep your fingers curled as in the position of attention.
Change Step: The command “Change step, march“ is given as the right foot strikes the ground. When you hear “March”, take one more step with your left foot. Then, in one count, place your right toe near the heel of your left foot and step off again with your left foot. You should execute this movement without command if you find yourself out of step with other members in your formation.
Rest Movement (30-inch step): When you hear the command “At ease, march”, you do not have to march in cadence. You must remain silent and maintain the same interval and distance as before. The command “Route step, march,” means the same as “At ease, march”, except that you may talk.
Half Step (15-inch step): The command for marching with a 15-inch step is “Half step, march”. This command may be given from the halt, or it may be given to change a 30-inch step to a 15-inch step while marching. If the command is given from the halt, proceed as for marching with the 30-inch step, but take only 15-inch steps. If the command is given while you are marching with 30-inch steps, you will hear the command “Execution, march.” Take one more 30-inch step and then begin marching with 15-inch steps. Allow your arms to swing naturally.
Halt : To halt while marching, the command “Squad/Platoon, halt” is given as either foot strikes the ground. The movement is executed in two counts. On hearing “Halt”, take one more step and then bring your trailing foot alongside your leading foot, resuming the position of attention.
Marching in Place: To march in place, the command is “Mark time, march”. When you hear “March”, take one more step, bring the trailing foot alongside your leading foot, and begin marching in place. To do this, raise each foot alternately two inches off the ground. Your arms should continue to swing naturally.
15-Inch Step (Right/Left): To march with a 15-inch step right or left you must begin from the halt. The command is “Right step, march.“ On hearing “March”, bend your right knee slightly, and raise your right leg only high enough to allow freedom of movement. Place your right foot 15 inches to the right of your left foot, then move the left foot (keeping your left knee straight) alongside the right foot temporarily assuming the position of attention. To march to the left, go through the same movements in response to the command “Left step, march”, except reverse the instructions. On hearing “Halt”, take
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Order Arms: Assume order arms on hearing the command “Fall in" or, if at parade rest, on hearing the command of execution, “Attention”. Order arms is the position of attention with the rifle (Figure 9-7 on the following page). Center the butt of the weapon on your right foot, with sights to the rear. The toe of the butt should touch your foot so the rear sight and pistol grip form a line straight to the front. Hold the weapon with your right hand in a U formed by extending your joined fingers and thumb. Hold the weapon above the sight, with the right thumb and forefinger pointed downward and on line with the flat surface of the hand guard. Keep your right hand and arm behind the rifle so that your thumb is along the seam of your trousers or skirt.
Rest Position (with M16 Rifle): Assume the rest position with the rifle the same as you would without it plus the following steps:
On the command "Parade, rest”, grasp the barrel with the right hand and thrust the muzzle forward keeping the right arm straight (Figure 9-8). Execute stand at ease in the same manner as parade rest with the rifle, except turn your head and eyes toward the commander.
On the command “At ease" or “Rest”, "keep the butt of the rifle in place.
Port Arms : Port arms from order arms is a two-count movement. The command is “Port, arms”. On the command of execution, "Arms”, grasp the rifle barrel with the right hand and raise the rifle diagonally across the body, keeping the right elbow down (without strain). With the left hand, simultaneously grasp the hand guard just forward of the slip ring so that the rifle is about four inches from the belt. On the second count, re-grasp the rifle at the small of the stock with the right hand. Hold the rifle diagonally across the body about four inches from the belt, with the right forearm horizontal and the elbows close to the sides (Figure 9-9).
Figure 9-7. Order Arms (attention position)
Figure 9-8. Parade Rest (rest position)
Figure 9-9. Port Arms
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Present Arms : Present arms from order arms is a three-count movement. The command is "Present, arms”. On the command of execution, “Arms”, execute port arms in two counts. On the third count, twist the rifle with the right hand so that the magazine well is to the front, and move the rifle to a vertical position with the carrying handle about four inches in front of and centered on the body. Lower the rifle until the left forearm is horizontal; keep the elbows in at the sides (Figure 9-10). To render reports or courtesy to an individual from order arms, execute present arms as discussed, but turn your head and eyes toward the individual addressed.
Inspection Arms : Inspection arms from order arms is a seven-count movement. The command is “Inspection, arms”. On the command of execution, “Arms," execute port arms in two counts. On the third count, move the left hand from the hand-guard and grasp the pistol grip, thumb over the lower portion to the bolt catch. On the fourth count, release the grasp of the right hand, unlock the charging handle with the thumb, and sharply pull the charging handle to the rear with the thumb and forefinger (A, Figure 9-11A). At the same time, apply pressure on the lower portion of the bolt catch, locking the bolt to the rear.
On the fifth count, without changing the grasp of the right hand, sharply push the charging handle forward (B, Figure 9-11B) until it is locked into position (Figure C, 9-11B). Then re-grasp the rifle with the right hand at the small of the stock. On the sixth count, remove the left hand, twist the rifle with the right hand so that the ejection port is skyward. Re-grasp the hand-guard with the left hand just forward of the slip ring, and visually inspect the receiver through the ejection port. On the seventh count, with the right hand, twist the rifle so that the sights are up.
Figure 9-10. Present Arms
Figure 9-11A. Inspection Arms Figure 9-11B. Inspection Arms
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Left Shoulder Arms : Left shoulder arms from order arms is a four-count movement. The command is "Left shoulder arms”. On the command of execution, "Arms”, execute port arms in two counts, then proceed as shown in Figure 9-13.
Order arms from left shoulder arms is a five-count movement. The command is “Order, arms" on hearing arms, "move your right hand up and across the body and grasp the small of the stock, keeping the right elbow down. On the second count, move the rifle diagonally across your body with your right hand while re-grasping the hand-guard just in front of the slip ring with your left hand. Counts three, four, and five are the same as the order arms from port arms.
Sling Arms (with M16 Rifle). From the order arms position (sling tight), the command is "Sling, arms”. On the command of executions firms," raises the weapon vertically, and with the left-hand place the butt on the right hip. Cradle the weapon with the right arm, loosen the keeper, and adjust the sling with both hands. Then sling the weapon on the right shoulder in the most convenient manner (Figure 9-14).
To return the weapon to order arms, the command is "Un- sling, arms”. on hearing “firms”, reach across your body with your left hand and grasp the sling at the shoulder. Un- sling the weapon and return to the position of order arms.
Salute at Sling Arms. The command for saluting while at sling arms is "Present, arms”. When you hear “Arms", reach across your body with your left hand and grasp the sling just above the right hand. Release your right hand and execute the salute as shown in Figure 9-14. If rendering reports or courtesies to an individual, execute the salute without an order.
Order arms at sling arms. To terminate the hand salute, the command is "Order, arms”. On the command of execution, “Arms” lower the right hand sharply to the side as in the position of attention and then re-grasp the sling at the original position with the right hand. Release the left hand and return it sharply to your left side as in the position of attention.
Figure 9-13. Left Shoulder Arms
Figure 9-14. Positions at Sling Arms
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Port arms from sling arms. The command for this movement is "Port, arms.” On hearing “Arms," reach across your body with your left hand and grasp the sling at the shoulder (Figure 9-15). Lift the weapon by the sling, swing it to the front of your body, and grasp the small of the stock with
To resume sling arms, grasp the sling near the upper sling swivel with your left hand upon hearing “arms” in the command "Sling, arms". Release your right hand and swing the weapon back onto your shoulder by inserting your right arm through the sling, immediately resuming the position of sling arms.
Inspection arms from sling arms. The command for this movement is “inspection, arms”. On the command of execution, “Arms”, execute port arms as described above, then execute counts three through seven in the same manner as inspection arms from order arms (Figure 9-11).
Figure 9-15. Port Arms from Sling Arms
