Week 1 - D&C

If it doesn’t look good, why bother?

Reference: TC 3-21.5

Perception is Reality

Believe it or not, the army is a professional organization. Meaning that we need to look good and sharp at all times especially when the general public is looking on us. If we march and look like trash, then naturally the public perception would be a bad one. The purpose of D&C is to instill pride in the soldier and team bonding.

A logistical Issue

Moving around a platoon sized element (around 40 people) poses some logistical challenges. You have to take into account spacing, time of movement, and proper direction when moving the element and you also have to make sure that everyone stays in step. Luckily as an officer you won’t be doing much when it comes to leading formations but you’re not there yet! As a Cadet you will be put into leadership positions that require knowledge on D&C (Drill and Ceremony) so that way your platoon can stand out and not look like crap.

Formation

This is what a proper formation looks like. the Squad leader will always be to your left, your PSG up front and PL towards the back

Commands

Let’s first learn what the commands mean For the rest of the article Execution commands appear as BOLD Characters, preparatory commands appear in Bold Italic

Preparatory and Execution commands

During formation most of the commands you receive will follow the preparatory and execution format for example Forward, MARCH is a 2 part command. Forward Indicates the action that will be taken, MARCH is the word of execution. Once you hear MARCH you move forward.

How To March

Marching is pretty straightforward. Whenever you get the command to march, you always start with your left foot. In fact, for most things in the army involving movement you always start with your left. And then you pretty much walk, there is no need for exaggerated movement. Take a natural 30-inch step forward, arms swinging 6 inches to the front and 3 inches to the rear for balance. Maintain a cadence of 120 steps per minute If you are taller you will have to take smaller steps, if you are shorter you will take longer steps to stay in step.

Marching is easy, the hardest part is staying in step. To help you stay in step the PSG (Or Person in charge) will call out a cadence

Here is the most basic cadence: “Left .. Left .. Left Right Left”

Every time the PSG calls “Left” you should step on your left foot. Think of it as a beat or rhythm. If you stay in step your movement will align to the rhythm and everything runs smoothly.

If you get out of step, then simply shuffle your feet and sync your left foot with the PSG’s cadence

List of Commands

There are a lot of commands when it comes to D&C (There is a whole manual dedicated to it). I have added the ones you are most likely to use or hear

Halt

Cease motion, stand at attention ex: While marching Platoon HALT

As you were

Revokes any preparatory command

Forward

Move forward

Fall in

Fall into formation standing at position of attention

Attention

ex: while in formation, Platoon ATTENTION Heels together, toes pointing out at a 45 degree angle. Look straight and have your chest out and your arms to the sides with fingers curled. Stand proud, remain still and quiet.

Parade Rest

Commanded only from the position of attention, Left foot 12 inches to the left. stay still and be quiet Head towards front. hands towards back centered to belt. Basically a modified attention

Can execute stand at ease, at ease, and rest from this position

At ease

Left foot 12 inches to the left, Hands towards the back, can be lower than parade rest. Turn your head towards person in charge of the formation. Remain still and quiet.

Stand at ease

Like parade rest, but you turn your head towards person in charge of formation

Rest

Remain standing, can do whatever you want to but must keep right foot in place

Present Arms

Hand salute, can be executed while marching. Hand positioning depends on what you have on.

Order Arms

Return hand to position of attention

Left/Right Face

About Face

Half Left/Right Face

Perform a left/right face, but stop at the halfway point about 45 degrees

Marching Movements

Column left MARCH: Go left Column right MARCH: Go right

Counter Column MARCH: Special movement used to turn around Platoon, easily messed up.

Open Ranks

On the command Open Ranks, MARCH 4th squad stands fast, 3rd squad takes 2 steps forward, 2nd squad takes 4 steps, 1st squad takes 6 steps.

Closed Ranks

Reverse of what you would do in Open Ranks

Dress Right

On the command Dress right, DRESS Look to your right shoulder, prop your left arm on your hip and create even spacing On the command Ready, FRONT Return to the position of attention

Fall out

dismissed from formation. take 2 steps back look to left and right and then you can leave