Drill & Ceremony Flashcards
What are the commands for inspecting a platoon?
From the position of attention:
- Count, OFF
- Open Ranks, MARCH
- Dress Right, DRESS
- > (adjust sqds alignment) - Ready, FRONT
- Ground, GEAR
- > (Inspect CSLs) - Inspect Your Squad (no salute)
- Secure, GEAR
- Close Ranks, MARCH
a. With the platoon in line formation, the platoon sergeant commands Count, OFF. On the command of execution OFF, all personnel with the exception of the right flank personnel turn their head and eyes to the right and the right flank personnel count off.
b. After the platoon has counted off, the platoon sergeant commands Open Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the front rank takes two steps forward, the second rank takes one step forward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes two steps backward. If additional ranks are present, the fifth rank takes four steps backward, and the sixth rank takes six steps backward.
NOTE: After taking the prescribed number of steps, the men do not raise their arms. If the platoon leader wants exact interval or alignment, he commands At Close Interval (At Double Interval), Dress Right, DRESS. (See paragraph 7-6 for more information on aligning the platoon.)
c. At this point, the platoon is ready to be inspected. Typically, the squads are inspected by the squad leaders; however they may be inspected by the platoon sergeant or platoon leader. (See paragraphs 7-17 and 7-18 FM 3-21.5 .)
SQUAD LEADERS’ INSPECTION
If the platoon sergeant wants the squad leaders to inspect their squads, he will direct INSPECT YOUR SQUADS. Salutes are not exchanged.
a. The squad leader marches forward and to the left, inclines as necessary until he is at a point 15 inches in front of and centered on the first man.
NOTE: If the members of the platoon are armed, the squad leaders will sling their weapons diagonally across the back with the muzzle down and to the right. This movement will be executed without command and prior to the squad leader stepping off. (For more information on how to inspect personnel with weapons and how to manipulate the weapon, see paragraph 7-17, c-f FM 3-21.5 .)
b. The squad leader remains at a modified Position of Attention moving his head and eyes only. After inspecting at the center position, he takes a short step forward and to the left and inspects, returns to the center and steps forward and to the right and inspects, and returns to the center position.
c. Having inspected the first man, the squad leader faces to the right as in marching and takes one (two if at normal interval) step, halts, and faces the next man at the appropriate distance. The squad leader conducts the inspection for the rest of the soldiers in the squad.
d. After inspecting the last soldier in the squad, the squad leader faces to the right as in marching and marches around behind the squad, inclining as necessary. While the squad leader marches back to his post, he inspects the squad from the rear.
e. After resuming his post, the squad leader turns his head and eyes over his left shoulder and commands his squad to assume At Ease.
f. The platoon sergeant remains at his post (inspects the guidon bearer if appropriate). After the last squad has been inspected and is at At Ease, the platoon sergeant commands the platoon to Attention.
g. After commanding the platoon to Attention, the platoon sergeant commands Close Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the first rank takes four steps backward, the second rank takes two steps backward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes one step forward. On the command of execution MARCH, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant take the appropriate number of steps to maintain their posts.
h. If the platoon is being inspected as part of a larger formation and control of the platoon has not been turned over to the platoon sergeant, he faces about, executes At Ease, and awaits further instructions from the first sergeant.
PLATOON SERGEANT’S/PLATOON LEADER’S INSPECTION
If the platoon sergeant is not going to inspect the entire platoon, he directs the squad leaders of the appropriate squads to inspect their squads. All others will be inspected by the platoon sergeant. When armed, the platoon sergeant slings his weapon in the same manner as the squad leaders.
a. The platoon sergeant faces to the Half Left as in marching and marches by the most direct route to a point 15 inches in front of and centered on the first squad leader (or the squad leader of the squad to be inspected). As soon as the platoon sergeant halts in front of the squad leader, he commands the other squads to At Ease and inspects the squad leader.
b. The platoon sergeant remains at a modified Position of Attention moving his head and eyes only. After inspecting at the center position, he takes a short step forward and to the left and inspects, returns to the center and steps forward and to the right and inspects, and returns to the center position.
c. Having inspected the squad leader, the platoon sergeant faces to the right as in marching and takes one (two if at normal interval) steps, halts, and faces the next man at the appropriate distance. After the platoon sergeant steps off, the squad leader takes a half step forward and faces about. When moving from man to man, the squad leader and platoon sergeant move simultaneously.
d. Having inspected the last soldier in the squad, the platoon sergeant faces to the right as in marching and marches around behind the squad, inclining as necessary, and inspects the squad from the rear.
e. As the platoon sergeant begins to inspect the first squad from the rear, he commands the next squad to Attention. The squad leader returns to his post. After the platoon sergeant arrives in front of the next squad leader, he commands the first squad to At Ease over the right shoulder.
f. The platoon sergeant and squad leader execute in the same manner as in inspecting the first squad until the entire platoon has been inspected. After inspecting the rear of the last squad, the platoon sergeant marches by the most direct route to his post, halts, faces to the left and commands the platoon to Attention.
g. After commanding the platoon to Attention, the platoon sergeant commands Close Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the first rank takes four steps backward, the second rank takes two steps backward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes one step forward. On the command of execution MARCH, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant take the appropriate number of steps to maintain their posts.
h. If the platoon is being inspected as part of a larger formation and control of the platoon has been not been turned over to the platoon sergeant, he faces about, executes At Ease, and awaits further instructions from the first sergeant.
What is the purpose of drill?
The purpose of drill is to enable a commander or noncommissioned officer to move his unit from one place to another in an orderly manner; to aid in disciplinary training by instilling habits precision response to the leader’s orders; and to provide for the development of all soldiers in the practice of commanding troops.
What is posted before you move your element?
Roadguards, headlights and taillights
“Rear, March” is given on which foot?
As the right foot lands.
What is the FM that governs Drill and Ceremony?
FM 3 – 21.5
“At Ease, March” is given on what foot?
Either foot.
“Left (or Right) Step, March” is given when?
The command halt the element is given when?
From the position of attention.
As the leader’s heels come together.
When exchanging control of the platoon,
what side does the Platoon Sergeant ALWAYS travel around?
What side does the Platoon Leader ALWAYS travel around?
The Platoon Sergeant always travels around the right flank (Squad Leader) side of the formation.
The Platoon Leader always travels around the left flank of of the formation.
What command is used to release the troops at the end of the day?
Dismissed
“Column Left (Right), March” is given on what foot?
The command is given as the foot (in the desired direction) strikes the marching surface.
“Left (Right) Flank, March” is given on what foot?
The command is given as the foot (in the desired direction) strikes the marching surface.
Road guards…
- Maintain a 30 foot distance from the element
- Always cycle on the outside of the leadership
- Come to Attention and salute all cars halted before moving out
What is the distance the Platoon Sergeant maintains from the platoon while performing his duties?
When in command at the front of the platoon, three steps.
When not in command at the rear of the platoon, one step.
What is the distance the Platoon Leader maintains from the platoon while performing his duties?
While in command at the front of the platoon in line formation, six steps.
While in command at the front of the platoon in column formation, one step.
When the Platoon Sergeant is taking the Report, do the Squad Leaders modify the position of Attention by looking at the Platoon Sergeant, reporting and saluting?
Yes
