DRILL

Line Formation

• The arrangement of units one behind the other with the guide and element leader to the extreme right flank

• The guidon bearer is in front of the farthest right of the formation

• Position of the flight commander: six paces away and centered on the flight

• When you fall a flight in, they fall into line formation

Inverted Line Formation

• The arrangement of units one behind the other with the guide and element leaders to the extreme left flank

• The guidon bearer is in the front of the farthest left of the formation

• Position of the flight commander: six paces away and centered on the flight

Column Formation

• The arrangement of units side by side with guide and element leaders to the head

• The guidon bearer is abreast and to the right of the first element leader at normal interval

• Position of the flight commander: back third

Inverted Column Formation 

• The arrangement of units side by side with guide and element leaders to the rear

• Position of the flight commander: back third of the inverted flight

** Knowing where the Guideon bearer is positioned is key to knowing what formation you are in. 

Column Right: 

• Third element: immediate 90° turn

• Second element: pivot 45°, take two steps, pivot 45°

• First element: pivot 45°, take four steps, pivot 45°

• go into half steps after completing your turns and catching up to the flight

Column Left: 

• First element: immediate 90° turn

• Second element: pivot 45°, take two steps, pivot 45°

• Third element: pivot 45°, take four steps, pivot 45°

• go into half steps after completing your turns and catching up to the flight

Expectation: Cadets are to demonstrate their ability to be directive and take ownership of a flight in a time and space constrained environment.

What to expect:

• You will be handed a card with 20 drill movements that must be executed within 5 minutes the second you say your first command.

• The flight will be in 2 elements.

• The drill pad will be in a squared size. The dimensions vary.

• You will have 1 minute to review the drill card and position your flight anywhere within the drill pad. The timer does not start until you return back to your flight and give the first command.

• You must report in and out.

Reporting In Statement

“Sir/Ma’am, ____ Flight is prepared/ready for the flight drill evaluation”

Reporting Out Statement

“Sir/Ma’am, ____ Flight has completed the flight drill evaluation”

Drill Movements

Left Face Column Left 

Right Face          Column Right 

About Face          Left Flank 

Parade Rest              Right Flank 

Attention                 To the Rear 

Present Arms      Order Arms 

Left Step                     Eyes Right 

Right Step                  Mark Time 

Forward March            Flight Halt 

Dress Right Dress          Cover

Change Step Half Steps

** Use this information to plan how you want to perform your FDE. Having an idea beforehand helps a lot, but stay confident in your knowledge when things don’t go as planned!

1. The current flight commander will call for the cadet who will be the next flight commander to exit the flight and stand in front using the verbiage: "Cadet ______, front and center."

2. The cadet being called to take control will salute and report in using the verbiage: "Cadet ______, Cadet ______ reports as ordered." 

3. The flight commander will salute and pass command to the cadet by saying, "Take control of the flight."

4. The original flight commander will take a step back on their right foot, salute, and say one of the following:

   1. "Cadet ______, Cadet ______ requests permission to return to ranks" (if you have been in the flight)

   2. "Cadet ______, Cadet ______ requests permission to fall into the flight" (if you have not already fallen into the flight)

5. The new flight commander will salute back and say, "Return to ranks" or "Fall into the flight" depending on the previous statement.

6. The original flight commander will use facing movements to quickly fall into the back of the flight. 

Column Right - Right foot

Column Left - Left foot

Right Flank - Right foot

Left Flank - Left foot

To the rear - Right foot

Counter march - Left foot

Cadence for right/left step starts when feet are apart. 

• Projection is the ability of your voice to reach whatever distance necessary without undue strain. 

• Voice is focused on the person farthest away.

• Learning how to use your diaphragm instead of just yelling is crucial. 

  • Assume the position of Attention, breathe properly, relax throat, open mouth and push the air out of your lungs from the diaphragm (place your hand on the top of your stomach, just under your ribcage and try to make those muscles tighten when giving commands).

• Cadence: hut, toop, threep, fourp, hut, toop, threep, fourp

  • call cadence 8 on, 8 off

• Add an 'h' sound at the start of executionary commands

  • March = Harch

  • Face = Hace

  • Rest = Hest

  • Right = Hight