Drill commands

Drill commands are generally used with a group that is marching, most often in military foot drill or marching band. All branches of the military use drill commands.

Command voice

Drill commands are best given in an excellent command voice. A command voice is characterized by DLIPS: Distinctness, Loudness, Inflection, Projection, and Snap.[1]

Due to the requirements of the command voice, the actual words of the command undergo elision to the point that those unfamiliar with the specific words may be unable to recognize them. An example of such elision is the command "Attention", which is usually uttered with the initial "a" hardly if at all audible, "ten" drawn out, and "tion" drastically shortened such that, in popular culture, the command often ends up being spelled "ten-hut".

General Principles

Most of the commands in modern drill are separated into two distinct parts; the Preparatory Command, and the Command of Execution. The preparatory command indicates to the person performing the movement that a command of execution is soon to follow - and which action to perform.. The command of execution indicates the movement to be performed. An example of this is the command "Present ARMS", which is utilized to command a group of soldiers to render a salute. In this command, the word "Present" is the preparatory command, whereas the following word, "ARMS" is the command of execution. The movement is performed immediately upon reception of the execution command.

When issuing the command, vocal inflection is varied so that the preparatory command is given less emphasis, and the most emphasis is placed on the command of execution. There is usually a slight hesitation between each element of the command, about the duration of a finger snap. Other examples of the two-part command structure are:

The vast majority of armies perform their drill from the base position of Attention. In this position, the person performing the movement stands straight, arms down and slightly flexed, fingers curled into the palm, thumbs pointed down and placed against the seam of the trouser, and the feet positioned at a forty-five degree angle with heels together. The most common command given by leaders to gather their elements into formations is the command "Fall IN", at which time the person takes their position in the formation and at the position of attention. From this position, almost any other drill command can be executed. In Commonwealth drill styles troops will generally fall in without formal commands and then be brought to Attention in order to begin the drill.

Common drill commands

Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom

Each of the three services in the United Kingdom has its own drill manuals. Most commands are the same across all three services, but there are significant differences in the way movements are carried out.[2]

Commands:

Canada

The commands in English are very similar to British Drill commands while the commands in French are generally translations of the English. The Canadian Forces sometimes call weapon drill in French while march commands are called in English. This is done at units such as trades schools where both English and French are used. Unilingual English units and unilingual French units generally use their own language for all commands.[3] Commands are broken up into two parts: the "precautionary" (i.e. "Squad, single file from the left quick -") followed by the "executive" (-MARCH). There is a standard pause of two paces in quick time or one full second between the two commands, as well as between all drill movements.

Standard English commands

States
Marching

Finland

In Finnish military drill, commands are twin parted: valmistava (precautionary/readying) and käskevä (executive). When ordering a formation, the commanding soldier (officer or assigned drill supervisor) gives a precautionary command so the soldiers know what formation they need to fall into. At the executive order they fall in the specified formation. An example being Kahteen riviin... (into two lines) JÄRJESTY (form). A command can be terminated by calling LEPO (At ease).

At järjesty the soldiers align themselves in the specified number of rows, with the kulmamies (cornerman) at an arms length from the one who gave the order. When a formation is formed they ojentaa (extend), so as to make sure the lines and rows are in perfect order: Soldiers are an arms length apart from each other, as the first row extends their left arm onto the right shoulder of the one next to them and turn their heads to the cornerman. The men behind the cornerman extend their left arm forward to the shoulderblade of the man in front of them. The cornerman checks the straightness of the lines/rows, lowering his arm and turning his head forward when ready. At this the soldiers turn their heads forward and lower their arm when the one next to them has done so, forming a wave. When an extension is order e.g. OJENNUS (extension) the cornerman keeps his head forward while the rest of the formation extends. At the command katse eteen—PÄIN (eyes—FRONT) the formation lowers theirs arms and turns their heads forward simultaneously.

A variant of järjesty used is ryhmity (group), at which the unit ordered runs into formation.

When ordering from one formation to another, mars (march) is used as the executive order (mars mars would mean "double time!", an order to run). To have the attention of a unit, the commanding officer shouts e.g. yksikkö! (unit). At this the unit in question stands in attention, facing towards the one who has their attention.

France

See fr:Ordre serré (in French)

Germany

The Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Bundeswehr, use a basis of commands for all three service branches. The Army (Deutsches Heer) and Air Force (Luftwaffe) use the same commands; the German Navy (Deutsche Marine) has a number of additional commands for duty on a ship. The German "Guards Battalion" of the Federal Department of Defense ("Wachbataillon" beim Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) also have additional commands for honorary duties (Protokolldienst). The Wachbataillon commands mentioned below are only an excerpt of the latter's regulations.

The basic commands are usually divided into two parts, the announcement that a command is to follow (Ankündigungskommando) and the executory command (Ausführungskommando). The entire process is called Kommandosprache (lit. "command language"). These are the basic commands, the Ausführungskommando is in bold:

India

During the British Raj the Indian Armed Forces essentially used the British (English language) drill commands. Soon after independence, the drill commands were Indianised. The official language of the armed forces is Hindi and thus Hindi words were used where ever possible. Some of the state police units however still continue to use British drill commands.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, marching and drills are regulated in a government approved system which is called Peraturan Baris Berbaris or PBB which means "Regulations of Drills and Marching", this is a regulation which is widely used in Indonesia starting from Educational uses in schools, colleges, scouts etc to the Defense Forces like Military (TNI) and Police (Polri) and firefighters.

The PBB is taught all over Indonesia starting from Primary, Secondary, and Senior Schools mentored by members of the military or other organizations. This is also used in Ceremonial occasions in Indonesia which is usually for commemorating the Independence day, flag raising ceremony, etc.

Note that in Indonesia, all commands end with 3 words according to the command given: Ger-AK! which is shouted by the commander which tells the participants to act or do the drill command given by the commander, Jal-AN! is also ordered for moving commands like marching, and Mul-AI!, is to give order to Start the command/order given.

For military commands, it is usually added the word Senjata which means Arms but differs according to which type of command is given. It is recommended for any commander which would order commands for a drill has to say Pimpinan, Saya Ambil Alih which means: Commanding drill, I take hold, this is to ensure the participants of the drill or parade to know that the commands are given by the regarding person/commander. If the commander gives a command by mistake, the commander should say Ulangi which means: As you were. There are such commands that are given throughout drills in Indonesia such as:

And there are more types of command in the marching/drill activity of Indonesia which is widely used in the country in all levels. This tradition dates from the early days of national independence.

Ireland

In the Irish Defence Forces, foot and arms drill commands are given in the Irish language.

Irish language is the primary language when a body of soldiers is on the square, but in cases where live ammunition is used or where gun drill for live ammunition practice or deployment is being carried out, English commands are used to ensure that the order is fully understood. Examples of this substitution would be mounting the guard or artillery gun drill. Because foot and arm drill commands are passed down by word of mouth through training, the Irish commands have become distorted from their original pronunciations. In the same way that has occurred in the British Army (the subject of many parodies with screaming Sergeant Majors), words of command lose their defined pronunciation; examples being Aire (Arra) which often becomes Ahha and Cle (Kley) which is sometimes distorted to Hey or Huy.

A list of Irish Commands follows.

Arms Drill

Gaeilge: English

Using this, the order for a platoon of soldiers to go from the halt to a quick march would be

"Rachaidh an Buionn cun cionn, de reir dheis, go mar marseaill" etc.

Public displays of foot and arms drill by the Defence Forces are not common but are not unusual. A guard of honour is usually detailed by the Defence Forces to act on state occasions, and occasions of local importance, especially those where the President is present, or where the Defence Forces have specific interest. Examples of those events televised would be the 1916 Rising commemorations and the National Day of Remembrance. Units of the Defence Forces also march in the annual St Patricks Day Parade in the towns or cities where they are stationed, a tradition which they have continued on overseas postings.

Foot and arms drill commands are taught using a formulaic method known as the Screed. Drill instructors are usually of the rank of corporal, and ability to teach drill movements by the screed is one of the skills which must be attained prior to promotion to this rank. The Screed usually begins "Taking you a stage further in your foot/arms drill I will now teach you the … Irish word of command…" and includes instructor demonstrations and time set aside for soldiers in the recruit sections to practice the movement in pairs on the square. Although this system is meant to teach movements correctly and quickly, and set a standard of foot and arms drill throughout the forces, it is not favoured by many drill instructors who see it as too rigid, promoting an atmosphere of mindless obeyance which fails to produce good soldiers who can think for themselves.

For practical and historical reasons, the foot and arms drill of the Irish Army remains similar to that of the British Army.

Italy

The Italian Armed Forces use a basis of commands for all four service branches. The Army (Esercito Italiano), Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) e Carabinieri use the same commands; the Navy (Marina Militare) has a number of additional commands for duty on a ship. The Bersaglieri also have additional commands for their parade double march. The basic commands are usually divided into two parts, the announcement that a command is to follow and the executory command.

States

Marching

Pakistan

Being a part of British Raj and like the Indian Army, the Pakistani Armed Forces used British (English language) drill commands. Now mostly the commands used are spoken in Urdu.

Russian Federation

Russian drill commands are similar to the German military commands of old but are spoken in Russian and are divided into unarmed and armed drill. These commands are commonly heard nowadays during the Victory Day parades every May 9, but are heard during parades and ceremonies of the various national military, police and civil defense units, and youth uniformed and cadet organizations.

Some principal commands without arms:

Singapore

The Singapore Armed Forces (plus the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force) use a unified system of drill commands across all three service branches. Formal commands are issued in Malay with informal conversation conducted in English. All drills are performed with feet stomping unless specifically instructed to perform "silent drills". Singapore's cadet organizations also use the same commands.E.g. NCDCC,NPCC, NCC, Red cross.... Malaysia and Brunei both follow a nearly identical system of commands but with the word gerak used in armed drill.

The President of Singapore: Hormat Presiden
The Prime Minister of Singapore: Hormat Perdana Menteri
The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore: Hormat Timbalan Perdana Menteri
Cabinet Ministers: Hormat Menteri
visiting dignitaries
Military Colours of the SAF/SPF/SCDF: Hormat Panji Panji
unit commanders: Hormat Panglima
other officers and dignitaries: Hormat Sedia
All those commands for salutes are shouted before giving the command to present arms.

As for sizing these are the commands that need to be executed (these are in fact nearly identical to the British 'form up' commands);

Spanish speaking countries

Spain and Spanish speaking nations of Latin America have all parade commands in the Spanish language both in unarmed and armed drill as well as in marching and saluting. These commands are common in almost all countries. In Mexico, the suffix ya is used after every command, while in Spanish countries of South America the suffix ar (short for armas) is used for armed drill while the suffix mar (short for marcha or marchen) is used for marching drill and the suffix al (short for alto) is used to call to a halt.

Unarmed drill

Armed and firing drill (the latter for ceremonial occasions like funerals)

Marching drill

Marchen is the standard Spanish word for March, but the marching commands may vary, with mar being used as a shorthand command.

Sweden

While marching all commands are given on the left foot and carried out the next time the left foot hits the ground. When given forward march and halting everyone does a "marschanträde" which is done by slamming the foot down.

States

Movements

Marching

Armed drill

Mounted and sabre drill
This is only done by the Royal guards.

Thailand

Separated into three main types:

  1. Unarmed Drills (บุคคลท่ามือเปล่า)
  2. Formation (แถวชิด)
  3. Armed Drills (บุคคลท่าอาวุธ)

Unarmed Drills

Formations

Armed Drills

Ukraine

United States

Drill and Ceremony: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FM 3-21.5 (FM 22-5) contains most of the US Army and US Air Force drill commands, mostly different from the USMC's and the Navy's.

See also

References

External links

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