A. The Position of Attention
The Position of attention is the basis for all stationary drill and marching maneuvers.
This image is from AFMAN 36-2203, but honestly there is next to no difference in the position of attention between the services, certainly not between Army and Air Force -- attention is attention, is attention.
Key points:
•Heels together, with toes out at a 45-degree angle
•Legs straight, without locking the knees (If you lock your knees and hold it for too long you are bound to pass out; I seen it happen.)
•Hips level, chest lifted, back arched, shoulders square -- no slouching!
•Arms hang straight down without stiffness, and wrists are straight with the forearms (No chicken wings! I can't stand it when see people over inflate their chests and bend their arms like they're Maverick in Top Gun! I should not see your elbows beyond your back; no one is that muscular that they can't extend their arms down straight to their sides.)
•Head is kept erect and held straight to the front with the chin drawn in slightly so the axis of the head and neck is vertical
•Eyes are to the front, with the line of sight parallel to the ground; no looking around!
Place thumbs, which are resting along the first joint of the forefinger, along the seams of the trousers or sides of the skirt. Hands are cupped (but not clenched as a fist) with palms facing the leg.
from TC 3-21.5:
4-1. POSITION OF ATTENTION
Two commands can be used to put personnel at the Position of Attention:
• FALL IN is used to assemble a formation or return it to its original configuration.
• The two-part command for Attention is used for Soldiers at a rest position.
Assume the Position of Attention on the command FALL IN or the command
Squad (Platoon), ATTENTION.
a. To assume this position, bring the heels together sharply on line, with the toes
pointing out equally, forming a 45-degree angle. Rest the weight of the body evenly on the heels and balls of both feet. Keep the legs straight without locking the knees. Hold the body erect with the hips level, chest lifted and arched, and the shoulders square.
b. Keep the head erect and face straight to the front with the chin drawn in so that
alignment of the head and neck is vertical.
c. Let the arms hang straight without stiffness. Curl the fingers so that the tips of the thumbs are alongside and touching the first joint of the forefingers. Keep the thumbs straight along the seams of the trouser leg with the first joint of the fingers touching the trousers (Figure 4-1, page 4-2).
d. Remain silent and do not move unless otherwise directed.
NOTE: This position is assumed by enlisted Soldiers when addressing officers, or when officers are addressing officers of superior rank.
from AFMAN 36-2203
3.2. Position of Attention. To come to attention, bring the heels together smartly and in line with one another. Place the heels as near each other as the conformation of the body permits, and ensure the feet are turned out equally, forming a 45-degree angle. Keep the legs straight without stiffening or locking the knees. The body is erect with hips level, chest lifted, back arched, and shoulders square and even. Arms hang straight down alongside the body without stiffness, and the wrists are straight with the forearms. Place thumbs, which are resting along the first joint of the forefinger, along the seams of the trousers or sides of the skirt. Hands are cupped (but not clenched as a fist) with palms facing the leg (Figure 3.1.). The head is kept erect and held straight to the front with the chin drawn in slightly so the axis of the head and neck is vertical; eyes are to the front, with the line of sight parallel to the ground. The weight of the body rests equally on the heels and balls of both feet, and silence and immobility are required.