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April 2008 |
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Forward to the Where?Dr. Drill |
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You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org. Dr. Drill, This has been an element of much controversy at our squadron. At this year's encampment in early July the winner of the Individual Drill Competition won because the command "To the rear, Harch." was given and all other contestants but one thought the command was "Forward to the rear, Harch!" I've searched the AF-MAN 36-2203 and found nothing about a to the rear from a stationary position. Could you please tell me which is the correct command and where you found this information? Thank you. C/2nd Lt. Justin T. Ross, Parkersburg Composite Dr. Drill responds:Justin, Ah, the joys of guerilla drill! Quite simply, there is no such command as 'Forward to the Rear, March'. In fact, a thorough investigation of AFMAN 36-2203 shows that you simply can't execute a marching to the rear from the halt. 3-16. To the Rear March. The command is To the Rear, MARCH, given as the heel of the right foot strikes the ground. Emphasis mine. Notice that the command 'To the Rear, March' can only be given as the right heel strikes the deck. Clearly, if a flight is stationary, then nobody's heel is striking anything, so 'To the Rear' can not be called. I can already hear the screeching from the Che Guevaras in the audience: "Doctor! It doesn't say you can't do it that way!" Sorry, kiddies, but that argument doesn't fly with the drill manual. It outlines carefully and in great detail exactly what you are supposed to do. If it doesn't tell you you can, you can't. Another piece of evidence to this effect is the 'Face in Marching', which is a method for performing a flanking movement from the halt. There are also methods described for performing many movements (such as columns) from the halt. So, clearly, you simply can't perform 'To the Rear' from the halt. So, the only time you can do 'To the Rear' is when you're already moving forward. So, what about this 'Forward to the Rear' stuff? Well, there is a nice list of every available drill command at the beginning of the drill manual. Why don't you go ahead and look up 'Forward to the Rear', I'll wait. Hmm, hmm, hmm... Da de da da... Oh, back already? Great. Did you find it? Didn't think so. And there's your answer, Che: there is no such command as 'Forward to the Rear'. So, how about just creating our own home-grown 'Forward to the Rear'? Is that okay? The answer? No way, Jose! Uh... Che! That list is the list and you just can't create your own drill commands. So, I don't know what's being taught or judged out in your neck of the woods, but the only proper command to turn a flight is 'To the Rear, March' and it can only be given while on the march. I hope this helps. Dr. Drill |
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