You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.
Dear Sir,
Well it has come that time of year again where we are preparing for the encampment and training cadet staff. One thing I want to train my staff on is the proper way to conduct pass-in-review.
Every year since joining CAP, at encampments we've done formations and pass-in-review differently from year to year. Last year I think we have come closest to doing it correctly, and the results were great. However, this year it is my turn to make sure it is done correctly and I want to get it right (or to start out with, make sure I get it right and understand it).
The problem I am having is making sense of all the instructions in the drill manual for these different events. So my request to you is (and I ask this because I am sure it will be beneficial to many people, not just me), could you describe/explain/spoon feed us the proper way of doing pass-in-review *at encampments.* Thanks so much.
Best Regards,
C/Lt Col Dan Upshaw, GA Wing, CAP
Dr Drill Responds
Dan,
Good question!
I must agree with you -- Pass-In-Review (PIR) is done differently at every encampment. And, it's done differently from year to year at the same encampment! Can you believe that? As a Doctor of Drill, allow me to prescribe a solution to this perennial problem! Having participated in or witnessed dozens of parade ceremonies and Passes-In-Review, I think I have the just the elixir that will cure the sickness produced when cadets view the PIR script. You've heard the good Doctor say it before, and he'll say it again: Your best friend is the BOOK. Dig your nose into it. Wait -- not that far -- you don't want to get snot all over the pages! Wipe that off. Good, now let's continue.
First, Doctor Drill (reminder -- this has nothing to do with power tools... we're talking Military Drill and Ceremonies, here...) and his crack medical staff recommend that you recognize there is a learning process involved with encampment PIRs. You should consider performing the following steps... and feel free to add steps as needed.
- If you're the cadet commander, get together with your training officer and schedule a meeting with the staff OFFICERS that will participate in PIR. Do this on the second day of encampment. Meet with them for an hour. Give each of them a copy of the script. Go over it with them step by step. Go slowly enough so that everyone in the room comes away with a clear understanding of what is to be done. A sign language interpreter is usually not necessary, but a quiet CLASSROOM setting with a dry erase board or chalk board (don't forget the markers or the chalk) to create visual aids is a good plan.
- The next day, have another hour-long meeting. This time, add the NCOs to the mix. Officers will get a second run-through, and NCOs will get their first. Officers have more to do and more to learn, so the second class will not hurt them. Most NCOs will tell you that the Officers need the second run through because they're thick-headed and won't grasp the concept the first time. I'll let you make up your OWN mind on THAT one!
- Meet independently with your wing staff officers, and PRACTICE what you're going to say and do. The wing staff officers should be walking EXPERTS at PIR. They should be able to answer EVERY question that comes up. Come to think of it... make sure the wing staff officers get a copy of the ceremony script in advance of encampment. Ask them to study it. Meet with them ahead of time to brainstorm if you want. If you walk past the room where one of your wing staff officers is sleeping, and, between the snoring, you hear, "Sound Adjutant's Call" or "Column of Squadrons, Right Squadron, Right Turn, MARCH" -- you'll know you've done just about the right amount of classroom instruction.
- About 4 days into encampment, get the officers and NCOs out to the parade field for a walk-through. By this, I don't mean "kick the heads off the dandelions," but rather, REHEARSE. Do it several times. Make sure this is on the encampment training schedule, and that your basic encampment is cared for, but ELSEWHERE. Do not let the basics become a distraction. Put it on the schedule and make it MANDATORY that the staff members participate in this rehearsal. No excuses!
- Once the officers and NCOs have the routine down, you'll just have to practice. About 5 days into encampment, get the guidon bearers involved in practice. They play a very visible role, and you need to get them familiar with the routine. A good idea is to actually bring the guidons to the rehearsal, too. The guidon bearers will look pretty silly waving their arms around in the air without the actual guidon flappin' in the breeze. Are you with me so far? Good!
- Last, at least one day before graduation, but preferably two days, get the entire cadet wing onto the parade field and practice the entire PIR (with music, if you can) several times. I'm not saying you should jam to Def Leppard or Mötley Cruë... you should probably use the music you plan to hear DURING the ceremony. (Just another helpful hint from the ol' Doctor.) Two complete runs through the script will be enough. Basics have a short attention span, and shouldn't be subjected to too much of this. One very important point: DO NOT INVOLVE THE BASICS until your officers have the routine down COLD, ice cold, like their home address (Thanks Lt Col GCVH). Basics should not be standing or sitting around while the officers are still learning!
If any of you, my loyal readers, have trouble with interpreting the script, give me specifics. I'll try to help you with them.
Great to hear from you! Good luck at your encampment!
Sincerely,
Dr. Drill