All words of command must be clear and forceful since the way in which they are given affects the reaction of the squad, in turn affecting the squad's drills standards. A word of command is divided into 3 parts. The Introductory will come first, followed by the Cautionary and finally the Executive. (ICE)

Introductory:

The Introductory is meant to tell the squad the drill they are about to execute (Pause appropriately when giving the command) and mentally prepare them for its execution. An Identifier is also commonly used in conjunction with the rest of the command. The Identifier is typically only included in the first command that you give; Subsequent commands do not require the identifier. Common Identifiers used in NPCC would be "Sekuad", "Baris" and "Kawalan Kehormatan".

E.g. "MOVE TO THE RIGHT IN THREE"

"Sekuad, Bergerak Ke Kanan Bertiga-Tiga…"

Cautionary:

The Cautionary is the loud and drawn-out part of a command which serves as a reminder to the squad to get ready to execute the drill. The drawn-out part should be as consistent as possible so that your squad can easily predict when they are supposed to execute the drill. A general guideline for the drawn-out part is that it should last for a duration of approximately 4 counts (Equivalent to 4 steps in Quick Time) before the Executive. During the 4 counts, do remember to gradually decrease in volume. It is also important to note that not all commands have a Cautionary, such as Wheeling and Forward, which only have an Introductory and an Executive.

E.g. "RIGHT"

‘Ke Kanan, Pu…’

Executive:

The Executive is the loud, and sharp part of the command. There should be a significant spike in volume during the Executive in order to capture the attention of your squad and signal to them to start executing the drill. Typically, the Executive is the last syllable of your command.

E.g. ‘TURN’

‘Sing!’

Drills execution is really quite straightforward. Details of the specific requirements for each and every drill will be included inside the drill manual at the bottom of the page. You just need to keep in mind of the 3 factors which define good drills:

• Sharpness ~ Taking the shortest route in the fastest possible time

• Precision ~ Accurate movement (E.g. Your legs should be raised to approximately 90 degrees when you are doing Quick Mark Time)

• Alignment/Coordination ~ Self-Explanatory. Align and coordinate with your peers

Timing a drill is especially important because the timer actually helps to synchronise the squad's drills. There are 4 important qualities every good timer should have:

• Volume ~ The timer’s voice should be audible to the entire squad, but not loud enough for your spectators to hear. It is practical to have a timer in the middle of your squad or have two timers situated at each end of a large contingent so that the timer's voice is audible to everyone in the squad

• Clarity ~ The timing given should be crisp and clear so that your squad can understand your timing and accurately follow it

• Sharpness ~ The timing should be sharp and accurate (Do not drag the timing) so that your squad can follow your timing more precisely. You can try using your tongue to help cut your timing to make them sharp

• Constancy/Consistency ~ The timer must time consistently, according to the required time, pace and regulation pause in order to allow your squad to anticipate your timing more easily. Inconsistent timing will only serve to confuse the squad further

In general, try to use your diaphragm when timing because this will allow you to time louder and with greater ease. This makes it much easier to hit to 4 criteria which defines a good timer.

Taking over of your squad is primarily used when you are called out to become the squad IC to taken over your squad or when you are returning back into your squad.

Taking Over your Squad:

1. Once your officer has called out for you to take over your squad, you will execute the drill "Sedia" (There is no need to reply the officer)

2. Afterwards, you will proceed to take one step to move out of your rank. This can be done in 3 ways:

   • If you are in the first rank, you will take one pace forwards and bang

   • If you are in the third rank, you will take one pace backwards and bang

   • If you are in the middle rank, you have the luxury to choose either to take one pace forwards or backwards before banging

3. Then, you will proceed to turn so that you can march out of the squad. This can be done in 3 ways:

   • If you are more towards the left most file of your squad than the right most file, you will do a static turn to your left

   • If you are more towards the right most file of your squad than the right most file, you will do a static turn to your right

   • If you are in the centre file, you have the luxury to either do a static turn to your left, or to your right

4. Start to march out of your squad. Once you have marched out of your squad, proceed to march in an anti-clockwise direction to the front of your squad

5. If there is no IC taking the squad, simply execute the drill "Berhenti" once you are at the front of your squad and do a static turn to face your squad (You have completed Taking Over successfully and can stop here)

6. However, if there is an IC taking the squad already, execute the drill "Berhenti" once you are relatively close to the squad IC

7. You will proceed to greet the squad IC by saying "Good morning/afternoon/evening IC"

8. Take one pace forward and bang such that you are even closer to the squad IC

9. You will proceed to seek permission from the squad IC to take over the squad by saying "Permission to take over the squad, IC"

10. Once you are given approval, you will need to say "Thank you, IC" then coordinate with the squad IC to simultaneously take one step forwards and to the left then one step forwards and to the right (Both you and the squad IC need to do this together). In doing so, you would have swapped positions

11. Afterwards, execute the drill "About Turn" together with the squad IC (You do not need to give the command or the timing)

12. After you have granted permission for the squad IC to return to the squad and received his thanks, you will execute a static turn to face your squad

Returning to your Squad:

1. After your assessment time is up, if you are the last person to do the assessment, you can either do a static turn to your left or right and march back to your original position in the squad (Details of this will be covered in the later parts). However, if you are not the last person and your officer has called for the next person to take over, stay alert. Once the new squad IC is about to approach you, execute a static turn to face him

2. After the new squad IC greets you, you need to reply him with "Good morning/afternoon/evening"

3. After the new squad IC seeks your permission to take over your squad, you need to reply to him and say "Yes" (Please don't troll and say "No")

4. After the new squad IC has said "Thank you, IC", you will then need to coordinate with the new squad IC to simultaneously take one step forwards and to the left then one step forwards and to the right (Both you and the new squad IC need to do this together). In doing so, you would have swapped positions

5. Afterwards, execute the drill "About Turn" together with the new squad IC (You do not need to give the command or the timing)

6. You will seek permission from the new squad IC to return to your squad by saying "Permission to return to the squad, IC"

7. After you have been granted permission to do so, you will take one pace backwards and bang

8. Then, thank the new squad IC by saying "Thank you, IC"

9. Finally, you will march back to an empty position in your squad by reversing the steps on how you would march out of your squad when you were told to take over your squad (Remember to execute the drill "Senang Diri" after you have returned to your spot)