Post by Nathan Whyte on Jun 26, 2010 19:15:50 GMT
In the militaries of Britain and her Empire, drill is an important aspect, developing teamwork and obedience amongst the ranks. The words of command for drill is largely the same, however there are minor differences between the nations and the corps’.
A drill movement is instructed in three parts. The first, the precautionary is designed to brief the squad on what will happen. For example, a right turn can be preceded by “Squad will move to the right in twos.” This is made with a level voice as a statement. This is optional, and if done should be done once.
The cautionary is a long drawn out part of the command, so all can prepare for the movement. For a right turn, this would be “riiiiight.”
The final part, the executive, is the command on which the movement is given. It is short and sharp. For the right turn, this would be “TURN!”
Drill formations depend on numbers. In all situations, the commander will stand two paces back from the center of the formation.
Four or less men would form a file, a single line of men.
Five to nine men would form a squad, two files two paces apart. If there are an odd number of men, there will be a gap in the rear file in the second to left rank.
Ten men and upwards forms a platoon, or flight. These are three files, each a pace apart. Gaps would be in the second to left rank, missing either the center person, or center and rear person.
Flanks are the side of the parade ground bearings are taken from. Flanks are set when a squad is given a right dress. As such (from the squad’s point of view), the ‘advance’ is in front of the squad, the ‘retire’ is to the rear, left and right are to the left and right. When turns are given, the flank is named, not the direction (So, “squad will move to the left, right turn” is a legitimate command, given the squad is facing the retire.)
Commands in green represent Army drill, blue, Air Force drill. All examples will use squads. The executive is italicised, and the precautionary in brackets where applicable.
Attention from ease – Squad, shun!Atten-tion!
Stand at Ease from attention – Stand at ease!
Stand Easy from ease – Stand easy NB: Not an actual command, but an informal option of allowing men to fidget, fix uniform etc from ease. However, talking is prohibited, and feet must stay stationary.
Bracing Up from easy – (Ready for the brace up, gaining in physical height) (Standing easy everywhere, ready for the brace up) Squad!
Right Dress from attention – EITHER 1) By the right! or 2) Right dress!
Salutes to the front – (Squad will pay compliments to the front) To the frooont, salute!
Salutes to the left/right – (Squad will pay compliments to the left/right) To the left/right, salute! NB: The only difference between a salute to the front and a salute to the side, is that the head is turned 90 degrees. The body and right arm stay facing forwards.
Right Turn – (Squad will move to the right in twos.) Riiight turn!
Left Turn – (Squad will move to the left in twos) Leeeft turn!
Right/Left Incline – (Squad will move to the Right/left in twos) Right/Left in-cline!
Paces Forward (For example, three paces forward) – Three paces, forwards march!
Paces sideways (For example, 3 paces left) – Three paces, left sideways march!
Starting a quick march Assuming the marker is the left – By the left, quick march!
Halt – Squad, halt! NB: Halt is given on the right foot. A check pace on the left is taken, before the actual halt on the right.
Left/Right Wheel – (Change direction left) left wheel! NB: Given on any foot.
Left/Right Turn – (Squad will move to the left/right) left/right, turn! NB: Given on the opposite foot of the direction, check pace, turn
About Turn[/i] – (Squad will retire) about turn!
Salutes to the left/right – (Squad will pay compliments to the left/right) To the left/right, salute! NB: The marker carries on marching as per normal.
Eyes left/right – Eyes, left/right! NB: Marker carries on marching as per usual.
Precautionary, Cautionary and Executive.
A drill movement is instructed in three parts. The first, the precautionary is designed to brief the squad on what will happen. For example, a right turn can be preceded by “Squad will move to the right in twos.” This is made with a level voice as a statement. This is optional, and if done should be done once.
The cautionary is a long drawn out part of the command, so all can prepare for the movement. For a right turn, this would be “riiiiight.”
The final part, the executive, is the command on which the movement is given. It is short and sharp. For the right turn, this would be “TURN!”
Basic Formations
Drill formations depend on numbers. In all situations, the commander will stand two paces back from the center of the formation.
Four or less men would form a file, a single line of men.
Five to nine men would form a squad, two files two paces apart. If there are an odd number of men, there will be a gap in the rear file in the second to left rank.
Ten men and upwards forms a platoon, or flight. These are three files, each a pace apart. Gaps would be in the second to left rank, missing either the center person, or center and rear person.
Flanks
[/u][/center]Flanks are the side of the parade ground bearings are taken from. Flanks are set when a squad is given a right dress. As such (from the squad’s point of view), the ‘advance’ is in front of the squad, the ‘retire’ is to the rear, left and right are to the left and right. When turns are given, the flank is named, not the direction (So, “squad will move to the left, right turn” is a legitimate command, given the squad is facing the retire.)
Words Of Command
Commands in green represent Army drill, blue, Air Force drill. All examples will use squads. The executive is italicised, and the precautionary in brackets where applicable.
Positions at the halt
Attention from ease – Squad, shun!Atten-tion!
Stand at Ease from attention – Stand at ease!
Stand Easy from ease – Stand easy NB: Not an actual command, but an informal option of allowing men to fidget, fix uniform etc from ease. However, talking is prohibited, and feet must stay stationary.
Bracing Up from easy – (Ready for the brace up, gaining in physical height) (Standing easy everywhere, ready for the brace up) Squad!
Right Dress from attention – EITHER 1) By the right! or 2) Right dress!
Salutes to the front – (Squad will pay compliments to the front) To the frooont, salute!
Salutes to the left/right – (Squad will pay compliments to the left/right) To the left/right, salute! NB: The only difference between a salute to the front and a salute to the side, is that the head is turned 90 degrees. The body and right arm stay facing forwards.
Movement at the halt
Right Turn – (Squad will move to the right in twos.) Riiight turn!
Left Turn – (Squad will move to the left in twos) Leeeft turn!
Right/Left Incline – (Squad will move to the Right/left in twos) Right/Left in-cline!
Paces Forward (For example, three paces forward) – Three paces, forwards march!
Paces sideways (For example, 3 paces left) – Three paces, left sideways march!
Marching
Starting a quick march Assuming the marker is the left – By the left, quick march!
Halt – Squad, halt! NB: Halt is given on the right foot. A check pace on the left is taken, before the actual halt on the right.
Left/Right Wheel – (Change direction left) left wheel! NB: Given on any foot.
Left/Right Turn – (Squad will move to the left/right) left/right, turn! NB: Given on the opposite foot of the direction, check pace, turn
About Turn[/i] – (Squad will retire) about turn!
Salutes to the left/right – (Squad will pay compliments to the left/right) To the left/right, salute! NB: The marker carries on marching as per normal.
Eyes left/right – Eyes, left/right! NB: Marker carries on marching as per usual.
