Drill and Ceremony Study Guide
Drill and Ceremony Army Board Study Guide

Posted Sunday, June 25, 2006

What are the three marching steps used in drill?

1. 15in step
2. 30in step
3. 30in step, DOUBLE TIME 180 steps per minute

What FM covers Drill and Ceremony?
FM 3-21.5

What is a review?
A military ceremony used to:

• Honor a visiting, high-ranking commander, official, or dignitary, and or permit them to observe the state of training of a command.
• Present decorations and awards.
• Honor or recognize unit or individual achievements.
• Commemorate events.

What are two prescribed formations for platoons?

1. line
2. column

What is the primary purpose of drill (drill and ceremony)?
The purpose of drill is to enable a commander or noncommissioned officer to move his unit from one place to another in an orderly manner; to aid in disciplinary training by instilling habits of precision and response to the leader’s orders; and to provide for the development of all soldiers in the practice of commanding troops.

What are the 4 rest positions that can be given at the halt?

1. Parade rest
2. Stand at ease
3. At ease
4. Rest

What is the primary value of ceremonies?
To render honors, preserve tradition, and to stimulate Esprit de Corps

What is a rank?
A line, which is only one element in depth

What foot is your leading foot?
Your left foot

What is the only command given from “Inspection Arms”?
“Ready, Port, Arms”

What is an element?
An individual, squad, section, platoon, company or larger unit forming part of the next higher unit

When marching, who is the only person in a platoon that is never out of step?
The platoon guide is the person responsible for maintaining the prescribed direction and rate of march.

What is a file?
A column, which has a front of only one element

If you were marching a squad, when would you give the command "squad halt"?
When either foot strikes the ground

What is a formation?
The arrangement of elements of a unit in a prescribed manner

After weapons have been issued to a unit and all other soldiers have fallen in with their weapons, what is the next command that you should give?
Inspection arms

While passing the colors or while the colors are passing you, when is the hand salute rendered?
Six paces before and six paces after

How many steps per minute is quick time?
120 steps per minute

How many steps per minute is double time?
180 steps per minute

What command is given to reverse the direction of a march?
Rear March

From what position are all stationary movements given?
Position of attention

On what foot would you give the command "Mark time march"?
On either foot

What is cover?
Aligning yourself directly behind the man to your immediate front, while maintaining correct distance

How do you measure a "step”?
Heel to heel

What is depth?
The space from front to rear of a formation including front and rear elements

What is the interval between the preparatory command and the command of execution?
1 step or 1 count

What are the two parts of most drill command?

1. Preparatory command
2. Command of execution

How many steps does each rank take when a platoon is given the command of Open Ranks?
On the command "March", The first rank takes two steps forward, the second rank takes one step forward, the third rank stands fast and the fourth rank take two 15 inch steps to the rear

What are the 5 types of commands in a drill?

1. Two part
2. Combined
3. Supplementing
4. Directive

What position is the unit guidon once a preparatory command is given?
The raised vertical position

What are some examples of a combined command?

• At ease
• Fall in
• Rest

Define Cadence
The uniform rhythm in which a movement is executed, or the number of steps or counts per minute at which a movement is executed. Drill movements are normally executed at the cadence of quick time or double time. Quick time is the cadence of 120 counts or steps per minute; double time is the cadence of 180 counts or steps per minute.

What is Close Interval?
The lateral space between soldiers, measured from right to left by the soldier on the right placing the heel of his left hand on his hip, even with the top of the belt line, fingers and thumb joined and extended downward, with his elbow in line with the body and touching the arm of the soldier to his left.

What is Double Interval?
The lateral space between soldiers, measured from right to left by raising both arms shoulder high with the fingers extended and joined (palms down) so that fingertips are touching the fingertips of the soldiers to the right and to the left.

What is Normal Interval?
The lateral space between soldiers, measured from right to left by the soldier on the right holding his left arm shoulder high, fingers and thumb extended and joined, with the tip of his middle finger touching the right shoulder of the soldier to his left.

What command is given to revoke a preparatory command?
As You Were

Who is responsible for training and appearance of the color guard?
The CSM

What is a Guidon?
A guidon is a swallow-tailed flag carried by companies, batteries, troops, and certain detachments.

When executing a Rear March, on which foot do you pivot?
Both feet, turning 180 degrees to the right

What are the three methods used to teach Drill?

1. Step by step
2. By the numbers
3. Talk-through method

What 4 movements in marching require a 15-inch step?

1. Half step
2. Left step
3. Right step
4. Backward march

How many steps should separate platoons when a company is formed?
5 steps

What is the only command that can be given from Inspection Arms, when performing drill with the M16?
Ready, Port Arms

What is the "Blue Book"?
A drill manual used by Baron Von Steuben (a former Prussian officer) to train the colonial army. It preceded the FM 3-21.5. It was known as "The regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States". This book was the first Army Field Manual

Can a command be changed after the command of execution has been given?
No

How far in front of the Honor Company or color company do the colors halt?
Ten steps