Chapter 1: introduction to drill Flashcards
Commanders use drill to:
A. Move units from one place to another in a standard, orderly manner.
b. Provide simple formations from which combat formations may be readily
assumed.
c. Teach discipline by instilling habits of precision and automatic response
to orders.
d. Increase the confidence of junior officers and noncommissioned officers
through the exercise of command, by the giving of proper commands, and by the
control of drilling troops.
e. Give troops an opportunity to handle individual weapons.
Purpose of Formations
a. To build unit cohesion and esprit de corps by recognizing Marines during
awards and promotion ceremonies.
b. To maintain continuous accountability and control of personnel.
c. To provide frequent opportunities to observe the appearance and readiness
of the uniforms, arms, and equipment of the individual Marine.
d. To keep the individual Marine informed by providing the means to pass the
word.
e. To develop command presence in unit leaders.
f. To instill and maintain high standards of military bearing and appearance
in units and in the individual Marine.
g. To add color and dignity to the daily routine by reinforcing the traditions
of excellence associated with close order drill.
Alignment
The dressing of several elements on a straight line.
Assembly Area
A designated location for forming units of platoon size or larger in preparation for a parade, review or ceremony.
Arms
A term used to normally designate the service rifle but can refer to any
weapon. When in formation and a mix of weapons is carried the term arms will be
used to designate all types of weapons.
Base
The element on which a movement is regulated.
Cadence
Cadence
Center
The middle element of a formation with an odd number of elements (See
figure 1-1a) or the left center element of a formation with an even number of
elements.
Ceremony
A formal military formation designated to observe a specific
occasion.
Column
A formation in which elements are placed one behind the other. A
section or platoon is in column when members of each squad are one behind the other
with the squads abreast of each other.
Commander of Troops (COT)
The COT is the senior officer taking part in the
ceremony. If an enlisted ceremony the COT is the senior enlisted.
Depth
The space from head to rear of an element or a formation. (See figure
1-1a.) The depth of an individual is considered to be 12 inches.
Distance
The space between elements in the direction of depth. Between individuals, the space between your chest and the person to your front. Between vehicles, the space between the front end of a vehicle and the rear of the vehicle to its front. Between troops in formation (either on foot, mounted, or in
vehicles), the space from the front of the rear unit to the rear of the unit in
front. Platoon commanders, guides, and others whose positions in a formation are 40 inches from a rank are, themselves, considered a rank. Otherwise, commanders
and those with them are not considered in measuring distance between units. The
color guard is not considered in measuring distance between subdivisions of the
unit with which it is posted. In troop formations, the distance between ranks is
40 inches. (See figure 1-2.)
Double Time
Cadence at 180 steps (36 inches in length) per minute.
Element
An individual, squad, section, platoon, company, or other unit that is part of a larger unit.
Extended Mass Formation.
The formation of a company or larger unit in which major elements are in column at close or normal interval and abreast at a specified
interval greater than normal interval.
File
A single column of troops or vehicles one behind the other.
Flank
The right or left extremity of a unit, either in line or in column. The element on the extreme right or left of the line. A direction at a right angle to the direction an element or a formation is facing.
Formation
Arrangement of elements of a unit in line, in column, or in any other prescribed manner.
Front
The space occupied by an element or a formation, measured from one
flank to the other. (See figure 1-1a.) The front of an individual is considered
to be 22 inches.
Guide
The individual (base) upon whom a formation, or other elements thereof, regulates its march. To guide: to regulate interval, direction, or alignment; to regulate cadence on a base file (right, left, or center).
Head
The leading element of a column.
Interval
The lateral space between elements on the same line. (See figure
1-3.) Interval is measured between individuals from shoulder to shoulder and
between vehicles from hub to hub or track to track. It is measured between
elements other than individuals and between formations from flank to flank. Unit
commanders and those with them are not considered in measuring interval between
elements of the unit. Normal interval between individuals is one arm’s length.
Close interval is the horizontal distance between shoulder and elbow when the left
hand is placed on the left hip.
Left (Right)
Extreme left (right) element or edge of a body of troops.
Line
A formation in which the elements are side by side or abreast of each
other. A section or platoon is in line when its squads are in line and one behind
the other.
Line of March
The line on which individuals or units are to march on.
Line of Troops
The line on which troops are to form when in formation.
Loosened Sling.l
Indicates a sling adjusted for the movement sling arms.
Mass Formation
The formation of a company or larger unit in which the major
elements are in column at close interval and abreast at close interval.
Muffling
The procedure of draping colors for mourning with a mourning streamer or black bunting. It also refers to the process of muffling the musical
instruments of a band for specific types of ceremonies.
Pace
The length of a full step in quick time, 30 inches.
Parade
A parade is a ceremony that involves the movement of marching units.
Parade Sling
A sling that has all excess slack removed and is taught. The keeper is adjusted and locked in a position next to the sling tip. The sling lies
on the left side of the rifle.
Piece
An individual firearm such as a rifle.
Point of Rest
The point toward which all elements of a unit establish their dress or alignment.
Quick Time
Cadence at 112 to 120 steps (12, 15, or 30 inches in length) per minute. It is the normal cadence for drills and ceremonies.
Rank
A line of troops or vehicles placed side by side.
Review
A review is a type of ceremony that omits certain elements found in a
parade, but includes an inspection (trooping the line) not found in a parade.
Rigged
This term refers to the condition when uniforms and equipment are properly fitted out in the manner for which they were intended for use. Swords are considered rigged when attached to the frog (noncommissioned officers) or sword sling (commissioned officer). A Marine is rigged when wearing the prescribed uniform or equipment.
Slow Time
Cadence at 60 steps per minute. Used for funerals only.
Snap
In commands or signals, the quality that inspires immediate response.
In drill the immediate and smart execution of a movement.
Step
The distance from heel to heel between the feet of a marching individual. The half step and back step are 15 inches. The right and left steps are 12 inches. The steps in quick and double time are 30 and 36 inches,
respectively.
Strong Grip.
The strong grip is when the thumb is wrapped around the front of
the staff with the fingers wrapped to the rear. (See figure 1-4.)
Unit Leader.
Is the individual who is drilling the unit. This can be any individual who is conducting drill or can be those assigned a specific billet such
as squad leader, platoon sergeant, platoon commander, etc.
“V” Grip
The “V” grip is with the staff placed in the “V” formed by the
thumbs and forefinger with the fingers extended and joined. (See figure 1-5.)
good drill instructors must:
a. Follow regulations strictly, as an example to the personnel under
instruction.
b. Have energy, patience, and spirit.
c. Have military neatness and bearing.
d. Observe personnel closely, immediately correcting any mistakes noted.
P.C.W.C. stands for:
(P) Purpose of the movement.
(C) Number of Counts involved in its execution.
(W) When the movement may be executed.
(C) Commands to cause the movement to be executed.
What is the basic instructional group?
Squad.
It’s size varies
There are four types of commands:
preparatory commands, commands of execution, combined commands, and supplementary commands.
The preparatory command indicates a……
a movement is to be made and may also indicate the direction of the movement.
The command of execution causes the….
the desired movement to be executed.
With the combined command,
The preparatory command and the command of execution are combined.
Supplementary commands are
Commands that cause the component units to act individually.
What commands are not repeated?
“FALL IN,” “FALL OUT,” “REST,” or “AT EASE.”
Or when in mass formation
A coo and of execution is givin a what as compared the tone of a predatory command?
A command of execution is given in a sharper and higher pitch than the
tone of the preparatory command’s last syllable.
What command cancels a movement or Oder started but not completed?
“As you were”
Adding “Half” to the preparatory command for turning or column movements does what?
changes direction 45 degrees
