You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.
(Note: This column by the good Doctor was called to task by Maj. Robert Haase of MIWG, CAP in this question to the Doctor. Dr. Drill admitted in his response to Maj. Haase that he hadn't answered the question that was asked. The Doctor requested that we leave this column up as proof that everyone has an off day now and then. - Ed.)
Dear Dr Drill,
I am the Leadership officer at my Sq. and was wondering if you could answer a question. I read the question about dismissed and fallout and have long been aware of that reg. I have at my disposal a group of high speed Air Force NCOs and we raised the same question during one of our breaks but, there is no definition of break ranks. What is the definition of BREAK RANKS pertaining to the command FALLOUT and DISMISSED? I hope you can answer this question for me.
TFO Claypool Wade D
Dr. Drill responds
Dear Claypool Wade,
I'll tell you, if it wasn't for guerrilla drill, I probably wouldn't have this job! Then I wouldn't spend hours researching and crafting these answers and collecting that fat paycheck with all those zeros!
No other digits, just zeros...
Yeah, the whole 'breaking ranks' thing. When Dr. Drill was a Cadet there was nothing more fun than when some unsuspecting rube tried to cut between ranks! The shriek of agony as you elbowed his spleen up into his throat was a Thing of Beauty!
Unfortunately, Dr. Drill is all responsible now and that sort of thing just ain't cricket.
First, let's start with what a rank is:
ae. Rank. A single line of persons placed side by side.
Now, looking in the index, we see an entry for "Ranks" and the only entry that looks interesting to us is "individuals to leave". That sounds like your 'breaking ranks' question.
A quick flip to section 4-7 shows us that when an individual is instructed to leave ranks, he is to take a backward step, face toward the nearest flank and proceed to the front of the formation by the most direct route (Don't square those corners, kids!). And when he is to return to his place in ranks, the movement is pretty much the exact opposite.
So, no breaking ranks there. There is a prescribed route. If someone is cutting through the ranks when called front and center, they're simply doing it wrong.
You also mention the commands "FALL OUT" and "DISMISSED". The simple answer is: it is impossible to 'break ranks' after these commands are given for the simple fact that the formation has ended and there are no more 'ranks' to break. Just as there is no formation before the command 'FALL IN', there is no longer a formation after 'FALL OUT' or 'DISMISSED'.
So, if you're in the middle of the third rank and you want to talk to the flight sergeant, after he commands 'FALL OUT' you can simply walk straight forward, knocking people down and stepping on their necks in your fervor.
Or, you could simply say, "Excuse me" and go around people as they also walk off in random directions. Your call, really...
I hope this helps,
Dr. Drill