Cadet Staff Sergeant Smith is leading drill practice after the squadron inspection. His flight is at ease. He faces his flight stands at attention and commands, "Flight, Right, FACE".

Woops! C/SSgt Smith forgot to call his flight to attention! Knowing that they can't turn from a rest position, his flight comes to attention and says in unison, "COMMAND, SIR!" He quickly commands "AS I WAS", then "Flight, ATTENTION" and "Right, FACE".

After his unit completes the turn, Smith notices that Cadets Green and White have turned the wrong way and are now facing backwards from the rest of the flight. Before Smith can say anything, Green executes a quick about face, lining himself up with the rest of the flight. White, however, is still backwards.

"White," C/SSgt Smith says. "Fix yourself." White executes an about face and the entire flight is now lined up correctly.

Why Is That Wrong?

It is incorrect for the members of a flight to in any way point out to the commander that he has issued an incorrect drill command. The members of a unit receiving drill commands are either at the position of attention or the position of parade rest, both of which require silence. Therefore, Cadets in ranks can never speak to correct their commander when he uses an incorrect drill command.

If the unit commander makes an error while giving a command, he should correct himself by giving the command AS YOU WERE before the command of execution. This is the only way for the commander to correct a mistake he has made. Other phrases (i.e.: BELAY THAT, DELAY THAT, and AS I WAS) are incorrect.

If the unit commander completes an incorrect command, the unit should execute the command to the best of their ability. If an incorrect command has been given, the unit commander will issue appropriate drill commands to return his unit to the desired position.

What Should Have Happened?

In the first place, C/SSgt Smith should have called the unit to attention before trying to turn them.

If he noticed his error before giving the command of execution (FACE), then he should given the command AS YOU WERE. This will more-or-less push the 'reset' button on the command.

From the point at which C/SSgt Smith commanded FLIGHT, his unit is at the position of Parade Rest. So, if he does give the incorrect command, all they can do is try to complete the movement to the best of their ability. Since they really can't do a facing movement at Parade Rest, their best bet is probably to just stand still and wait for Smith to realize his mistake.

After Smith gets the command off, Cadets Green and White have turned the wrong way. Green quickly turns before Smith can correct him. Since no movement is allowed at attention, Green should have waited for Smith to tell him what to do.

Noticing White facing the wrong way, C/SSgt Smith should issue appropriate orders to correct his position: "Cadet White, About, FACE".