1. Terminology
Drill & Ceremonies
AF MANUAL

2. OBJECTIVE
Know the importance, purpose, and meaning of military drill terms.
Know the positions and movements required of each individual in forming elements, flights, and squadrons.
Know the commands to execute those positions and movements.
Know about the drill of the flight and squadron.
Know the key factors for a successful drill team.

3. Introduction to Drill Samples of Behavior
Define Drill Terms
Define all basic military drill terms
Identify the types of commands used during basic military drill movements
Identify the necessary qualities of the command voice
Define cadence

4. Drill Benefits
Leadership training is one of the major objectives of the Air Force JROTC program.
The simplest and most effective ways to teach leadership in the military service is through individual and unit drill.
Drill is a necessary skill in the military profession.

5. Drill Benefits & Definition
Done well drill has a unifying effect that promotes discipline, teamwork, and esprit de corps within the unit.
The individual develops poise, neatness, precision, confidence, and high morale.
Drill may be defined as the “art or exercise of training military personnel in military skills and discipline.”
Drill consists of certain movements by which the flight or squadron is moved in an orderly manner from one formation to another or from one place to another.

6. Your Responsibility
There are a number of standard military terms, commands, positions, and movements that apply to the individual and with which every individual must be familiar if he or she is to perform with a unit.
Standards such as the 24-inch step, cadence of 100 to 120 steps per minute, distance, and interval have been established to ensure movements are executed with order and precision.
Each person has to learn these movements and execute each part exactly as described.
Each individual also must learn to adapt their movements to those of the group, everyone in the formation must move together on command.

7. SYMBOLS

8. Explanation of Terms
Adjutant a ceremonial position occupied by the junior member of the command staff in reviews and parades. The adjutant is responsible to the troop or group commander. The adjutant’s cadence is 140 steps per minute.
Alignment - dress or cover.
Base - the element on which a movement is planned, regulated, or aligned.

9. Explanation of Terms
Cadence - the uniform step and rhythm in marching. That is, the number of steps marched per minute.
Center - the middle point of a formation. On an odd-numbered front, the center is the center person or element. On an even-numbered front, the center is the right center person or element, as shown.
Center

10. Explanation of Terms
Distance: the space from front to rear between units.
The distance between individuals in formation is 40 inches as measured from their chests to the backs of the persons directly in front of them.
Flight commanders, guides, and others whose positions in formation are 40 inches from a rank are themselves considered a rank.
40”

11. Explanation of Terms
Double Time - rate of marching 180 steps (30 inches in length) per minute.
Dress - alignment of elements side by side or in line maintaining proper interval.
Element - the basic formation; that is, the smallest drill unit comprised of at least 3, but usually 8 to 12 persons, one of whom is designated the element leader.
File - a single column of persons placed one behind the other
ELEMENT
File

12. Explanation of Terms
Flank - the extreme right or left (troops right or left) side of a formation in line or in column.
Flight - at least two, but not more than four, elements.
Formation - an arrangement of units.
Right Flank
Left Flank
Elements (4, 3, 2, 1)

13. Explanation of Terms Front Head Guide 22 inches
Front - the space occupied by a unit, measured from flank to flank.
The front of an individual is considered to be 22 inches.
Guide - the cadet designated to regulate the direction and rate of march.
Head - the leading unit of a column.
Left Flank
Right Flank
Front
Head
Guide

14. Demonstration

15. Explanation of Terms
Guide
Element
Leaders
In Column - the arrangement of units side by side with guide and element leaders at the head.
In Line - the arrangement of units one behind the other with the guide and element leader to the extreme right flank.
Guide (behind Commander)
Element Leader)

16. Explanation of Terms
Interval - the space between individuals placed side by side.
A normal interval is an arm’s length.
A close interval is 4 inches.

17. Explanation of Terms
Inverted Column - the arrangement of units side by side with guide and element leaders to the rear.
Inverted Line - the arrangement of units one behind the other with the guide and element leaders to the extreme left flank.
Line of March - a line followed by cadets as they pass in review.
Mark Time - marching in place at a rate of 100 to 120 steps per minute.

18. Explanation of Terms
Pace - a step of 24 inches. This is the length of a full step in quick time.
Post - the correct place for an officer, noncommissioned officer (NCO), or cadet to stand while in formation.
Quick Time - the rate of marching at 100 to 120 steps (12 or 24 inches in length) per minute.

19. Explanation of Terms
Rank - a single line of persons placed side by side.
Slow Time - the rate of marching at 60 steps per minute (used in funeral ceremonies).
Step - the distance measured from heel to heel between the feet of an individual marching.
24 inches

20. By The Numbers
By the numbers is the method in which precision movements of two or more counts are demonstrated, practiced, and learned—one count at a time.
This method enables the cadet to learn a movement step by step and permits the instructor to make detailed corrections.
The instructor commands BY THE NUMBERS before giving commands for the movement.
For example, BY THE NUMBERS, ABOUT FACE.
The first count of the movement is executed on the command of execution FACE.
The second count is executed on the command Ready, TWO (the pivot is the second count).
 All subsequent movements are executed by the numbers until the command WITHOUT THE NUMBERS is given.

21. Recap Terms File Base Flank Cadence Cover Flight Formation Depth
Distance
Double Time
Dress
Element
File
Flank
Flight
Formation
Guide
Mark Time
Slow Time
Pace
Quick Time