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

Dr. Drill,

Thank You-
2nd Lt. Oden

Dr. Drill responds

Dr. Drill is going to answer your question, but first he's sure his Faithful Readers would be disappointed if he didn't mention that all of your questions can be answered quite easily by looking in the AFMAN 36-2203. This little alphanumeric tongue-twister is also known colloquially (dat means in da common lingo) as the Air Force Drill and Ceremonies Manual. It is known even more commonly - and issued to every Cadet - as the CAP Drill and Ceremonies Manual.

I'm guessing you don't have the AFMAN 36-2203, or that you don't use it. If you need one, you can download your very own copy here. Go ahead, I'll wait...

Now that we all have our Drill Manuals, let's open them together to the Table of Contents and see if we can't find a place to locate those definitions you asked for. And, as it turns out, the Air Force has anticipated our need and put in a section titled 'Terms'. So, let's got to section 1.5 and try our luck.

Okay, your first term was Quick Time and the manual says:

1.5.30. Quick Time. The rate of marching at 100 to 120 steps (12 or 24 inches in length) per minute.

Excellent! We got lucky on our first try. So, we now know that 'Quick Time' is marching at a certain rythm and taking steps of a certain length. Keep in mind that 24 inches are a 'normal' step and 12 inches are 'half' steps. Both normal steps and half steps are performed at the rate of 100 to 120 steps per minute (Remember this! People have a tendency to speed up half steps).

Next definition: Right (Left) Flank:

1.5.14. Flank. The extreme right or left (troops right or left) side of a formation in line or in column.

Hmm... That's not right. We want to know how to do the movement! Let's try somewhere else. Back to the Table of Contents!

Hey! Section 3.17 is about something called a 'Flanking Movement'. Let's all take a look at that:

3.17. Flanking Movement. The command is Right (Left) Flank, MARCH, given as the heel of the right (left) foot strikes the ground. On the command MARCH, the airman takes one more 24-inch step, pivots 90 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot, keeping the upper portion of the body at the position of attention. Then step off with the right (left) foot in the new direction of march with a full 24-inch step and coordinated arm swing (figure 3.12). Arm swing is suspended to the sides as the weight of the body comes forward on the pivot foot. The pivot and step off are executed in one count. This movement is used for a quick movement to the right or left for short distances only. Throughout the movement, maintain proper dress, cover, interval, and distance.

He shoots, he scores! And, hey! Now we can see how the term 'flank' ties in to the concept of a 'flanking movement'. Schweet!

We're on a roll, now! Let's see... Route Step: Nothing in terms. How about something in else in the table of contents..? Nothing that I can see. Well, better check the index!

Hey, there it is, baby! "Route step (3.19.1)" And that section says:

3.19. Marching Other Than at Attention. The commands below may be given as the heel of either foot strikes the ground as long as both the preparatory command and command of execution are given on the same foot and only from quick time. The only command that can be given when marching at other than attention is Incline to the Right (Left). Otherwise, the flight must be called to attention before other commands may be given.

3.19.1. Route Step March. The command is Route Step, MARCH. On the command MARCH, the airman takes one more 24-inch step and assumes route step. Neither silence nor cadence is required, and movement is permitted as long as dress, cover, interval, and distance are maintained.

3.19.2. At Ease March. The command is At Ease, MARCH. On the command MARCH, the airman takes one more 24-inch step and assumes at ease. Cadence is not given, and movement is permitted as long as silence, dress, cover, interval, and distance are maintained.

Yeah, baby! And we just killed your last bird (At Ease March) with that same stone! Woo hoo!

Dr. Drill took the long-way-round on this one, ladies and gents. The reason wasn't to embarrass the El Tee, but to demonstrate how to use the Drill Manual to find out the information you need from it. It isn't always laid out right in front of you; sometimes you have to dig for it. However, the answers are almost always there!

As Leadership Officer, your job is the military training of the Cadets in your charge. You need to eat, sleep and breathe D&C, bubba! Plus, you need a healthy grounding in C&C (Customs and Courtesies) and uniforms and appearance. CAPM 52-16 and CAPR 20-1 list publications you should have a handle on in your job. Better get crackin', Big Guy!

Good luck,

Dr. Drill