Drill

Chapter TWO
Performance Objective 402

During your last year of training, the final movements from drill with arms is learned. Your confidence in doing drill is well established and your technique is probably pretty good! With the Instructional Technique skills you’ll gain this year, you’re almost ready to become a drill instructor. Congratulations on your hard work!

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Present Arms from the Shoulder

From the position of shoulder arms, on the command PRESENT - ARMS, you shall:

• On the first count, cant the rifle up approximately 8 cm at the right side; at the same time:
   
  • seize the rifle with the left hand in line with the handguard;
  • right hand should be at the small of the butt;
  • thumb under where the bolt would be;
  • fingers slanting downwards;
  • both arms close to the body.
     
• On the second count:
   
  • Using the right hand, bring the rifle in front of the centre of the body - keep the rifle vertical and at the same height as it was for the slope with the sling to the left.
  • At the same time, place the left hand on the sling, wrist on the magazine, fingers pointing upwards, and together, thumb close to the forefinger, point of the thumb in line with the mouth of the rifle.
  • The left elbow to be close to the butt, the right elbow and butt close to the body.
     
• On the third count:
   
  • Bring the rifle down perpendicularly, close in front of the centre of the body, sling to the front holding it lightly at the full extent of the right arm.
  • Fingers are extended and slanting downwards.
  • The left hand grasping the rifle at the hand guard, thumb pointing towards the muzzle, fingers around the rifle.
  • At the same time, place the hollow of the right foot against the left heel, with both knees straight.
  • The weight of the rifle should be supported by the left hand.

The present arms from the shoulder is usually used onboard ship, otherwise the present arms from the slope arms is used.

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Shoulder Arms from the Present

From the position of present arms, on the command SHOULDER - ARMS, you shall:

• On the first count:
   
  • Bring the right foot up in line with the left.
  • Shift the grasp of the left hand to the lower band.
  • At the same time carry the rifle to the right side and seize it with the right hand, as in the position of shoulder arms.
     
• On the second count cut the left hand to the side.

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Inspection of Arms from the Order

On the command FOR INSPECTION, PORT - ARMS, you shall:

• Cant the rifle, muzzle leading, with the right hand, across the body, sling to the left and downwards, the barrel crossing opposite the point of the left shoulder, small of the butt in line with the buckle of the belt.
• Meet it at the same time with the left hand at the handguard, thumb and fingers round the rifle, the left wrist to be opposite the left breast, both elbows close to the body.
• Grasp the butt with the right hand at the small, thumb immediately in rear of the right of the back sight and pointing to the muzzle.

Why do we do an inspection of arms? When arms are inspected at the port, as in inspecting a division on parade, the officer or Petty Officer should see that the exterior of the rifle is clean and free from rust, and that no parts are loose or damaged. Because the drill purpose rifles should have no working bolts, there is no need to inspect the magazine and action.

When the inspecting officer approaches you, he or she may take the rifle by the muzzle. You shall lower the rifle to allow the officer to inspect the bore, at the same time placing the thumbnail of the right hand in front of the bolt to reflect the light down the barrel.

As the officer passes, you shall, without orders, Order Arms, and Stand at Ease. The last two cadets of each rank shall order arms and stand at ease together.

Did you know that today's rifles no longer use wood for the butt and forestock, but favour hardy hardy plastics? Some of these plastics are made by the Mattel Company.

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Order Arms from the Inspection

On the command ORDER - ARMS, you shall:

• For the first count, holding the rifle firmly in the left hand, seize it with the right hand at the lower band.
   
• On the second count:
   
  • The rifle to the right side allowing the toe of the butt to turn to the front.
  • At the same time, with the left hand, seize the rifle at the nose cap keeping the butt just clear of the ground and steady it with the right hand at the lower band.
     
• On the third count:
  • Place the butt quietly on the ground.
  • Cut the left hand away to the side.

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Salute with Arms

When passing or addressing an officer or paying other necessary compliments, you shall, with arms:

• When marching on shore, be at the slope and will salute by:
   
  • Striking the small of the butt smartly with the right hand, with forearm horizontal, back of the hand facing out and fingers straight.
  • Saluting at the same number of paces before reaching the officer, and cutting the hand away, as directed when saluting without arms.
  • When passing an officer, the cadet will always turn their head toward the officer in the same manner as when unarmed.

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Conclusion

You now have taken everything you need to know about drill in the Sea Cadet Program. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t more you can learn or that your own drill is perfect. Good drill will continue to be a skill that is worked on and improved upon. What this does mean is that you have the necessary knowledge to perform the drill required at your corps.

Continue to take pride in your own personal drill as it is a direct reflection upon how you feel about being a Sea Cadet. Nothing indicates your attitude better than good dress, good deportment and good drill. There is usually quite a competition amongst cadets to have the best drill at the corps. This is a healthy and attainable standard to strive for. Good luck!

Other chapters:

Table of Contents | Chapter 1: Serve with a Sea Cadet Corps | Chapter 2: Drill | Chapter 5: Naval Knowledge | Chapter 6 : Seamanship | Chapter 8: Instructional Technique | Chapter 9: Outdoor Adventure Training | Chapter 10: Physical Fitness | Chapter 11: Canadian Citizenship