You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.
Good morning.
Got a quick question for you about the drill command Dress right dress.
When you are standing in a line and you are the last person (not the first) in the line, what do you do?
I know the person does not put their arm out, but shouldn't their head be turned in the direction of the people in the line so that they can cover off them?
I know this may be a stupid question, but one of the Chief's and I have a bet on this. He says that the last person on the end does nothing, that he/she stays put (That is what the first person does... how would the last person know how to cover, if he doesn't move???).
thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Crystal G. Bannister
LTjg, SC, USNR
QA/Material Officer
USNS Concord (T-AFS 5)
Dr. Drill responds
Dear Lieutenant Bannister,
Wow! You Naval Service types are sure expanding Dr. Drill's horizons! It used to be he slept with AFMAN 36-2203 under his pillow; but with FM 22-5 stuffed under there for the manual of arms-type questions and NAVMC 2691 for these questions... Well, let's just say that my chiropractor is getting ready to put a down payment on a new Jag...
Anyway, on to your question.
Whipping out my handy-dandy .PDF of the aforementioned NAVMC 2691, a quick peek at the section on "Aligning the Squad" shows us the following:
7-5. TO ALIGN THE SQUAD
a. In line, the commands are DRESS RIGHT (LEFT), DRESS; READY, FRONT, or AT CLOSE INTERVAL, DRESS RIGHT (LEFT), DRESS; READY, FRONT.
b. These commands are given only when the squad is at approximately the same interval as the interval at which the dress is commanded.
c. At the command DRESS, all men, except the right flank man, smartly turn their heads, look, and align themselves to the right. At the same time, all men except the left flank man smartly extend their left arms shoulder high (or if at close interval, place their left hands on their hips). All men except the squad leader position themselves by short steps until their right shoulders touch the fingertips of the men on their right (or right arms touch the elbows of the men on their right). The instructor places himself on line with the squad, 1 pace from the right (left) flank man, and faces down the line. He checks the alignment of the squad, ordering men, by name or number, to move back or forward as necessary. The instructor does not lean his body to be able to see down the line. He moves with short side steps as necessary to check alignment, constantly maintaining military bearing.
Emphasis mine.
Flanks are the ends of the formation. They are internally referenced, which means that the right flank is the squad leaders and the left flank is the Little End. The manual makes it pretty clear that the guy on the end turns his head, but he doesn't lift his arm.
So, young lieutenant, I hope that chief doesn't hold grudges, because it looks like you're a winner!
Thanks for writing,
Dr. Drill