ROTC DRILL Vocabulary Flashcards
Alignment
The dressing of several elements on a straight line
Base
The element on which a movement is regulated.
Cadence
A rhythmic rate of march at a uniform step.
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
The COT is the senior Cadet taking part in the ceremony.
Depth
The space from head to rear of an element or a formation. (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 cadets in formation, 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 the distance between units. The color guard is not considered in measuring the distance between subdivisions of the unit with which it is posted. In Cadet formations, the distance between ranks is 40 inches.
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 cadets one behind the other.
Flank
The right or left extremity of a unit, either inline or in the 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.
Guide
The individual (base) upon whom a formation, or other elements there of, 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. Interval is measured between individuals from shoulder to shoulder. 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 intervals between elements of the unit. The normal interval between individuals is one arm’s length. Close interval is the horizontal distance when the left hand is placed on the left hip.
Left (Right)
Extreme left (right) element or edge of a body of cadets.
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 cadets are to form when information
Loosened Sling
Indicates a sling adjusted for the movement of sling arms.
Mass Formation
The formation of a company or larger unit in which the major elements are in the column at the close interval and abreast at close interval.
