You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.

Dear Dr. Drill,

Cadet Joey Bagadonuts

Dr Drill Responds

Dear Joey,

In the course of normal Civil Air Patrol duties, it is often desirable, if not necessary, to distinguish between right and left. Examples are: executing a left or right flank upon command, using the right hand on the throttle and the left hand on the yoke etc. To some Cadets and Seniors, this may present a problem. Persons having difficulty in this regard are occasionally admonished to have reference to their right or left hand respectively. To some Cadets and Seniors, this may present a problem. This tends to be of little use if the particular person has difficulty in the identification of his right and left hand.

Dr. Drill is currently compiling the CadetStuff.org Field Reference 5-1, the purpose of which is to aid Civil Air Patrol personnel in the correct identification of the right and left hand with the highest probability of success and with considerable ease. Having accomplished such identification, the person will be able, by straight analogy, to transfer the directional characterization to the item(s) in question.

Here is the procedure from the CadetStuff.org Field Reference 5-1

Identification of the right and left hand may be accomplished by the following procedure given here in the indicated sequence: With arms parallel, or nearly parallel, place both hands upon the surface of the table, work-bench or other flat, horizontal furniture or equipment surface. NOTE: It is assumed that the person in question has two hands, which is generally the case. In situations other than the one assumed, the procedure given here is not applicable. Note whether the two thumbs are the two similar digits of the respective hands that are in the closest relative proximity.  If this is the case then step 3 can be omitted. Counter-rotate the two hands so as to accomplish the criterion of step 2. WARNING: Neither hand should be rotated more than 180 degrees. Should this appear to be required then rotation in the opposite direction is indicated to prevent injury. Observe the relative position of each thumb with respect to its corresponding hand. With the thumb outstretched, one hand will appear in the shape of the letter "L" with the thumb providing the bottom (horizontal) line of the "L", while the other hand will create a backwards "L". With a suitable marker, mark the hand which appears as a backwards "L" with the letter "L" and the other hand with the letter "R". After accomplishing the above steps, the hand with the "L" on it will be the right hand while the hand with the "R" on it will be the left hand.

Good luck,

Dr. Drill.