Drill

Chapter 2
Performance Objective 402

You have now mastered the basics of standing and marching drill. You are probably fairly confident in your movements and ready to learn more challenging maneuvers. Phase II will build upon your existing drill and introduce the basics of rifle drill.

There are many types of drill known and performed by the Canadian Forces. Shipboard drill, sword drill, mortar drill, etc. It is customary when performing drill with arms that the type of rifle determines the type of drill performed. In the Sea Cadet program we use the cadet Lee Enfield No. 4 .303 calibre rifle, deactivated for drill purposes. Even though it is deactivated, we still treat it as a loaded rifle.

Rifle drill is unique to Sea Cadets. No other cadet program is authorized to perform rifle drill as part of their mandatory program. Rifle drill is a proud part of the Sea Cadet program and you should be honoured to carry on this tradition. At your corps you probably have a ceremonial Guard, comprised of cadets who have demonstrated excellent drill and deportment. Perhaps you aspire to be part of the Guard at your corps!

Speaking of Guards, did you know that a Canadian has the dubious honour of spending the most time in prison on Alcatraz Island? Old Alvin “Creepy” Karpis spent a record twenty-six years in Alcatraz. The average stay there was about eight to ten years. Creepy was a gangster in the 1930s known for bank robbery and kidnappings.

This Chapter summarizes the drill requirements for Phase II. Use this Chapter as a reference and remember that hard work and practice is the best way to improve your own personal drill.

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Closing to the right (left)

Closing to the right or left is used to move the division sideways. It is only used when the distance to move is less than eight paces. When the distance is greater, the division shall be turned and marched the required distance.

On the command ONE PACE(S) RIGHT CLOSE - MARCH, you shall:

• Bend your right knee, carry your foot to the right and place it smartly on the ground with the inside of the heels one side pace, 25 cm, apart.
• Balance the weight of the body evenly on both feet.
• Keep the arms still at the sides.
• Shift the weight of the body to the right foot, bend the left knee and place the left foot smartly by the right to assume the position of attention.
• Each pace has a count of one - two with a pause in between each pace.
• On the command, ONE PACE(S) LEFT CLOSE - MARCH, the drill as outlined above is followed except that the details of moving the feet and direction are reversed.

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Roll Call

On the command, ATTEN - TION/ANSWER TO YOUR NAME/STAND AT - EASE, you shall come to attention as your name is called and answer in one of the following ways:

• "Ma'am" if the person calling the roll is a female officer or "Sir" if the person calling the roll is a male officer.
• "Chief" when the roll is called by a Chief Petty Officer First or Second Class.
• "PO" when the roll is called by a Petty Officer First or Second Class.
• "Present" if the person calling the roll is below the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.
• When the roll call is supervised by a person senior in rank to the person calling the roll, you shall answer to your name with the correct response for the rank of the supervisor.
• When a senior is in the ranks and roll is called by a junior with no senior rank supervising the roll call, both shall use the other's rank title in calling and answering the name.

Stand at ease after answering.

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Numbering

Numbering is used to designate individuals in the division and determine the number of cadets on parade. When a division hears the command, DIVISION - NUMBER:

• The front rank only shall count off from right to left, the right-hand cadet calling out ONE and the next TWO, and so on.
• Maintain head and eyes to the front.
• Have no pause between numbers.
• If in the centre or rear rank, take the number of the front rank individual being covered.
• When an error in numbering occurs, the command AS YOU WERE followed by the last correct number called out, may be given. The cadet so designated repeats the number and the numbering drill continues. If the command AS YOU WERE, DIVISION - NUMBER is ordered, the division will renumber from the beginning.

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Proving

Proving is used to identify the flank cadet when the division is being divided into several groups. It may be used by cadets to identify themselves, such as during a roll call. The division may be numbered prior to proving.

• On the command: NUMBERS ______________, ________________, _______________, PROVE, the cadets designated will raise their left forearm parallel to the ground, keeping their left elbow close to the body and the hand closed as for the position of attention.
• On the command, ATTEN - TION, the cadets who proved will adopt the position of attention.

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Fall-in on Parade

Prior to being fallen in on parade, your division will form up in three ranks at the edge of the parade deck and stand at ease. Your Divisional Petty Officer shall proceed onto the parade deck and halt three paces in front of where the marker is to fall in. The marker is the right-hand person of the front rank. On the command, MARKER, the marker shall:

• Come to attention and observe the standard pause.
• March in quick time to a position three paces in front of, and facing the Divisional Petty Officer.
• Halt and remain at attention.

Your DPO will then turn right and march to a position three paces in front and centre of where the division will fall in. On the command, FALL - IN, the division shall:

• Come to attention.
• Observe the standard pause.
• March onto the parade deck, and halt to the left of and covering the marker.
• Remain at attention.

The DPO shall then proceed as required, e.g., OPEN ORDER - MARCH, RIGHT - DRESS, EYES - FRONT, STAND AT - EASE.

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Size in Three Ranks

Sizing is used in a division to align individual members' heights for aesthetic balance and give the best general impression to a spectator.

On the command TALLEST ON THE RIGHT, SHORTEST ON THE LEFT, IN SINGLE RANK - SIZE, you shall:

• Turn right, observe the standard pause, and arrange yourself according to height, with tallest on the right and shortest on the left, in single rank, shoulder to shoulder dressing and covering off front to rear.
• On the command DIVISION - NUMBER, you will proceed as previously learned.
• On the command EVEN NUMBERS ONE PACE STEP BACK - MARCH, the even numbers shall step back one pace.
• On the command NUMBER ONES STAND FAST; ODD NUMBERS RIGHT, EVEN NUMBERS LEFT - TURN, the division shall act as ordered.
• On the command REFORM THREES, QUICK - MARCH:

1. The right file shall stand fast.
2. The remainder of the odd numbers shall march forward and form up on the left of the number one of each rank.
3. The even numbers of each rank shall wheel around to the right and follow the odd numbers of their respective rank.
4. 4. When you arrive in your new position, you shall halt at arm's length interval, observe the standard pause, turn left and remain at attention.

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Turn About on the March

The last drill movement to be learned in phase II before we start rifle drill is an about turn on the march. When you are marching in your division in quick time and hear the command ABOUT - TURN, given as the right foot is forward and on the ground:

• Take a half pace with the left foot, placing the foot flat on the ground naturally.
• Bring the right foot in to the left, in a straight leg manner, above the ground, to the position of attention.
• Simultaneously, cut the right arm down and the left in from the rear as the left foot comes in.
• Maintain the cadence.
• Maintain the arms at the sides while:
  1. Pivoting on the sole of the right foot to force the body through a turn of 90 degrees to the right.
  2. Simultaneously, bend the left knee.
  3. Lower the leg smartly to the ground to assume the position of attention.
• Maintain your arms at the sides.
• Pivot the sole of the left foot to force the body through a turn of 90 degrees to the right.
  1. Simultaneously, bend the right knee.
  2. Lower the leg smartly to the ground to assume the position of attention.
• Step off in quick time with a half pace with the left foot in the new direction.

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The Position of Order Arms

You are now ready to commence with rifle drill, using the Lee Enfield drill purpose rifle. When performing drill with arms:

• Eyes and head are to be kept perfectly still while the rifle is moving.
• Eyes are not to follow the movement of the rifle, but are to be kept looking to the front.
• The rifle, during its movements, is to be kept as close to the body as possible.
• The rifle is always to be moved as quickly as possible and in those exercises which consist of several motions, a distinct pause of two marching paces is to be made between each of the motions.
• Fingers, except where states otherwise, are to be kept close together.

Did you know that before 1968, the drill of the Navy, Army, and Air Force differed from each other? When the three services were joined together in 1968, a single drill standard was adopted. This does not mean to say, however, that elemental quirks do not still exist today.

To adopt the position of order arms you shall:

• Hold the rifle, with the right hand, near the lower band, with the back of the hand to the right, the thumb against the thigh, fingers together, slanting towards the ground and clear of the sling.

• Hold the rifle perpendicular to the ground, at the right side of the body, toe of the butt of the rifle in line with, and close to, the toe of the right foot.
• Slightly bend the right arm while keeping the arm close to the body.
• Keep the remainder of the body as in the position of attention.

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Stand at Ease from the Order with Arms

On the command, STAND AT - EASE:

• From the position of order arms, force the muzzle of the rifle directly to the front and to the full extent of the right arm, keeping the toe of the butt in contact with the ground and in line with the small toe of the right foot.
• Simultaneously, keeping both legs straight, carry the left foot 25 cm to the left.
• Keep the left arm straight at the side.
• Relax the shoulders.

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Stand Easy from Stand at Ease with Arms

On the command, STAND - EASY, you shall:

• With a quick movement of the right arm, bring the muzzle of the rifle to the centre of the body by pivoting the rifle on the toe of the butt so the base of the magazine is pointing to the left.
• Simultaneously, strike and grasp the barrel with the palm of the left hand, thumb in rear and fingers in front of the barrel, fingers together pointing down and to the right.
• After observing a standard pause, relax the body.

As for stand easy without arms, you cannot move your feet.

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Attention from Stand at Ease with Arms

On the command ATTEN - TION, you shall:

• From the position of stand at ease, bend the left knee and bring the left foot to the position of attention.
• Keep the left arm at the side.
• With a swift motion, simultaneously force the rifle to the right side, keeping the butt in contact with the ground and the foot, and assume the position of attention.

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Shoulder Arms from the Order

On the command SHOULDER - ARMS, you shall:

• From the position of order arms, give the rifle a sharp cant upwards with the right hand, catching it with the left hand at the lower band.
• Simultaneously, slip the second finger of the right hand inside the trigger guard, close the first and second fingers on the magazine, thumb and remaining fingers to be pointing downwards.
• Rest the upper part of the barrel in the hollow of the shoulder.
• Hold the rifle vertical and at the full extent of the right arm.
• Observe a standard pause and then cut the left hand to the side by the shortest route.

The shoulder arms is used on board ship only, otherwise the slope arms that is taught in Phase III is used.

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Order Arms from the Shoulder

On the command, ORDER - ARMS, you shall:

• From the position of shoulder arms relax the grip of the right hand and allow the rifle to drop until the butt is just clear of the ground. At the same time, seize the rifle with the left hand at the nosecap, steadying it with the right hand at the lower band.
• Place the butt smartly on the ground at the order arms, cut the left hand to the side.

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Conclusion

Good drill requires poise, balance and sharpness. There are many different activities that showcase the precision drill that you learn in Sea Cadets. To name a few, Naval Ceremonies, Drill Competitions, Color Parties, Guards and your Annual Ceremonial Review are events that everyone enjoys. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your proficiency in drill and for the public to witness a good show!

Rifle drill can be practiced at home with any pole-like object cut to the right length (an old broom or mop will work!). Stand in front of a mirror and go through the basic maneuvers you have learned in this Chapter. With practice you will be a member of the Guard in no time at all. Keep up the good work!

Other chapters:

Table of Contents | Chapter 1: Serve with a Sea Cadet Corps | Chapter 2: Drill | Chapter 3: Marksmanship | Chapter 4: Sailing | Chapter 5: Naval Knowledge | Chapter 6 : Seamanship | Chapter 9: Outdoor Adventure Training | Chapter 10: Physical Fitness | Chapter 11: Canadian Citizenship