Section 2

Types of Reviews

10-5. A review is 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.

10-6. Normally, a review is conducted with a battalion or larger troop unit; however, a composite or representative element consisting of two or more platoons may serve the same purpose. A review consists of the following steps in sequence:  

• Formation of troops.  

• Presentation of command and honors (although primarily a characteristic of a parade, “sound off” may be included here to enhance the ceremony). 

• Inspection. (The inspection stage may be omitted for decorations, awards, or individual recognition ceremonies.)  

• Honors to the Nation.  

• Remarks.  

• March in review.  

• Conclusion.

Note: If retreat is conducted as part of the review, it occurs after presentation of the command and honors and before the inspection. Honors to the Nation is omitted.

10-7. Other ceremonial activities, or combinations thereof, that may be incorporated within the framework of a review are reviews with—  

• Decorations, awards, and individual retirement.  

• Change of command, activation, or inactivation of units.  

• Retreat.  

• Retreat and retirement, decorations, and awards.  

• Retreat and change of command, activation, or inactivation of units.

Note: Review with change of command should not be combined with an awards ceremony. Awarding a decoration to an outgoing command is accomplished separately from, and preferably before, a review at which the responsibility of command is transferred.

10-8. In order that a commander may review their own command or accompany a visiting reviewing officer, they normally designate an officer of their command as commanding officer of troops (known as COT). The COT is responsible for the preparation of the troops for the review.

10-9. The ready line and final line on which the units are to form and the route of march are marked or.designated before beginning the ceremony (see figure 10-1 on page 10-4):  

• The primary function of the ready line is to enable the unit commander to arrange their unit into the prescribed formation before movement to the final line. The ready line is to the rear of the final line. Flags or appropriate markings are used to designate the post of the reviewing officer and the points where Eyes, RIGHT and Ready, FRONT are to be commanded (6 steps to the reviewing officer’s right and left and from 6 to 20 steps in front of the reviewing officer).  

• Commanders should determine the length of their formation (steps) so that they know how far beyond the ready front marker (six steps beyond the reviewing officer) they command Ready, FRONT. This ensures that the last members of their unit are six steps beyond the reviewing officer when the command is given.  

• The command Eyes is given as the right foot strikes the marching surface, and the command of execution RIGHT is given the next time the right foot strikes the marching surface. The commands Ready and FRONT are given as the left foot strikes the marching surface.

Note: These commands are given when the commander reaches the guide marker. The guide marker is placed so that when the commander reaches it, the last element of their unit is abreast of the ready front marker.

Note: The ready front marker is always six steps to the right of the reviewing officer. The commander uses this point to estimate the placement of the guide marker. The guide marker is used as a visual reference to the commander so that when the commander gives the command of execution FRONT of Ready, FRONT, the last members of the unit are at the ready front marker.

10-10. Any of the formations described for the battalion or brigade may be used; however, the two recommended formations for conducting reviews are: battalion in line with companies in mass (see figure 10-2), or brigade in line with battalions in mass (see figure 10-3 on page 10-6).

Note: When desired or more appropriate, commands may be substituted for directives. When desired or appropriate, the formation may perform mounted using the mounted drill outlined in appendix H.

Note: The ready front marker is always six steps to the right of the reviewing officer. The commander uses this point to estimate the placement of the guide marker. The guide marker is used as a visual reference to the commander so that when the commander gives the command of execution FRONT of Ready, FRONT, the last members of the unit are at the ready front marker.

10-10. Any of the formations described for the battalion or brigade may be used; however, the two recommended formations for conducting reviews are: battalion in line with companies in mass (see figure 10-2), or brigade in line with battalions in mass (see figure 10-3 on page 10-6).

Note: When desired or more appropriate, commands may be substituted for directives. When desired or appropriate, the formation may perform mounted using the mounted drill outlined in appendix H.

10-11. The formation selected is determined by space available and other desires of the commander. Commanders may alter the formation or prescribed distances to meet local situations. Each unit should be sized uniformly with the tallest Soldier in front and on the right. Commanders should not cause the leaders to change positions because of their size. Officers and key NCOs, including squad leaders and others equivalent by virtue of their rank and time in service, should participate in their deserved positions of dignity

10-12. If possible, the reviewing officer should arrive at their post (see figure 10-4) after the staff of the COT has reversed and the COT has faced the reviewing stand. Upon arrival, the reviewing officer should immediately take their post and refrain from greeting distinguished spectators until after the review has terminated.

Note: In battalion mass formation, the platoon leaders form as the first rank of troops. The right flank platoon leader serves as the guide.

10-13. The reviewing officer, host or host commander, and distinguished persons invited to attend the review (but not themselves receiving the review), take positions facing the troops. Observe figure 10-4 to see where distinguished guests and their flags are placed when participating in a review.

10-14. When a ceremony is conducted for an individual junior in rank to the host or host commander, the junior takes a position to the left of the host or host commander unless the commander yields the post of honor to them. In all cases, the honor position is the position on the right and is the reviewing officer’s post. The host or host commander gives the appropriate directive, PRESENT THE COMMAND and PASS IN REVIEW, during the conduct of the review. 

10-15. When a civilian or foreign dignitary receives the review, they take the honor position to the right of the host. The host or host commander returns all Salutes when, in their judgment, it would be more appropriate. As a courtesy, the host or host commander should cue the dignitary and inconspicuously explain the procedures during the conduct of the ceremony. The position in which the flags are displayed at the rear of the reviewing party corresponds to the position taken by the individual in the front rank of the reviewing party. An officer from the local staff is designated to escort and brief members of the reviewing party and show them their positions.

10-16. When a ceremony is conducted honoring a foreign official or dignitary entitled to honors, equivalent honors (Salutes) are rendered in the manner prescribed in AR 600-25. When the ceremony includes decorations, awards, or retirements, the host or host commander should be senior in rank or position to the highest ranking individual being honored.

Note: If the honors of dignitaries include their nation’s anthem, the honors are played in the following order: four “Ruffles and Flourishes,” the foreign anthem, an approximate 3-second drum roll, and the U.S. national anthem.

10-17. Since all situations or eventualities relative to various services or units (military academies, special honor guard, active Army units, Reserve Components [RCs], Reserve Officer Training Corps, and training centers) cannot be foreseen, commanders may make minor changes to stated procedures. However, with a view toward preserving Army tradition and maintaining consistency, they should not alter or modify the sequence of events other than stated. 

Note: Ceremonies may be conducted with sabers and swords. See appendix E for the manual of arms for these weapons.