Precision Drill Squad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Precision Drill Squad (PDS) involves cadets executing drills composed of complex series of movements with great co-ordination and precision. The natures of these drills exhibit a plethora of diversity. They may be sharp and quick, graceful and flowing, or include a wide variety of tossing and spinning techniques[1].

This article explains about PDS in Singapore ONLY.

PDS Performance: Deyi NCC, Singapore
PDS Performance: Deyi NCC, Singapore

Contents

[edit] Origin

PDS originated from the United States of America, and have spread to many other countries. PDS is practiced in Singapore by a few NCC(National Cadet Corps) units. Due to its its rarity and difficulty, the element of PDS in NCC units is considered a great privilege.

[edit] Centre of Excellence

The current PDS Centre of Excellence is HCINCC(Hwa Chong Institution National Cadet Corps)[2]. The HCINCC COE department is given the autonomous right to train key stakeholders of NCC units of other schools and issue them Basic PDS badges on their course completion[3].

[edit] Types of PDS Performances

PDS performances can be generally classified under two major types, Stage Performances and Field Performances.

[edit] Stage Performances

A Stage Performance: HCINCC, Singapore
A Stage Performance: HCINCC, Singapore

PDS Stage performances are smaller-scaled performances, generally with 10-20 performers on stage. Unlike the larger-scaled Field Performances, stage performances usually include more spectacular, advanced PDS drills. Stage performances have also been known to include special lighting effects into its performances.

[edit] Field Performances

PDS Field performances are the largest-scaled performances, generally with 28-40 performers on a grass field or courtyard. Unlike the smaller-scaled Stage Performances, Field Performances can be displayed to a significantly much larger crowd of spectators. Unlike Stage performances, pyromatics such as sparks or comets could be included in its performances!

A Field Performance: HCINCC, Singapore
A Field Performance: HCINCC, Singapore

[edit] Drill Syllabus

PDS Drills can be classified into Marching Arm Drills(MAD), Salute Arm Drills(SAD), Dressing Arm Drills(DAD), Performance Arm Drills(PAD) and Advanced Drills(AD)[4].

[edit] Basic Slope and Order

  • Vertical Slope Arm (4+1)
  • Vertical Order Arm (4+1)
  • Diagonal Slope Arm (5+1)
  • Diagonal Order Arm (4+1)

[edit] Marching Arm Drills

  • Slapping Arm (12+1)
  • Sungfoo Arm (14+1)
  • Double Right Arm (18+1)
  • Slow Markal Arm (16+1)

[edit] Salute Arm Drills

  • 11-step Salute (11+1)
  • Butt Salute (8+1)
  • Marine Salute* (6+1)

[edit] Dressing Arm Drills

  • Popeye Arm (12+1)
  • Balancing Arm (16+1)
  • Pungfoo Arm (10+1)
  • Modified Seagull (14+1)
  • Momo Arm (10+1)

[edit] Performance Arm Drills

  • Dragon Arm (24+1)
  • Mortar Arm (20+1)
  • Pipa Arm (16+1)

[edit] Advanced

  • Jumbo Arm
  • Rotation Arm
  • Vincent Toss
  • Saturn
  • Back Saturn
  • Flying Fish Arm
  • "T3H"
  • Tornado Toss
  • Rising Sun

[edit] Performance Videos

Many of the NCC units have filmed their exhilarating performances and are available for free viewing on YouTube, by searching "pds".

[edit] Notes

Military stub This military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.