CadetStuff.org:

the independent cadet program resource


Copyright © 2001-2008 CadetStuff.org.
May be copied as-is for Cadet training purposes with specific prior permission and appropriate citation. All other rights reserved.

First on foot and right of the line.

Dr. Drill

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

Dear Dr. Drill,

Hey, You know Your Drill. I say the words AFMAN everybody is like, "what's that". I have read that so many times. GOT A QUESTION THOUGH.

When you salute the AFMAN 36-2203 doesn't say where a lower ranking Cadet should stand if by a higher ranking person. Though I know it's on the Honor side to the left. Show me were it say it in the AFMAN 36-2203.

CADET

Dr. Drill Responds


Dear... Uh... Cadet,

Since it doesn't say, then you can assume that the AFMAN either doesn't care or is trying to allow latitude. Drill and ceremonies and customs and courtesies aren't meant to specify every situation down to the last eye-blink (Except for the Pass in Review, of course.). The drill manual specifically says this in the section on exchanging salutes:

To prescribe an exact distance for all circumstances is not practical, but good judgment indicates when salutes should be exchanged.
While this statement is written about exchanging salutes, it applies generally to the Drill Manual.

So, if the Drill Manual doesn't give you any specific guidance, then you should apply the general rules and concepts of D&C to make a decision.

So, let's take a look at this situation and apply our newly-acquired drill accumen...

Pop quiz, hotshot: You're a Cadet NCO talking with a your squadron commander the Cadet commander walks up. Obviously, you both need to salute, since you're saluting the Cadet commander and the squadron commander is returning the Cadet commander's salute (Remember: Dr. Drill having dispensed with the myth of the magical 'superior salute free zone' a couple months ago.). So, should you:

  1. Quickly determine your relationship in physical space to your squadron commander and his placement with regards to the approaching Cadet commander. Computing the converging vectors with computer-like speed, step quickly - yet surruptitously - into the correct honor position on interval to the left of the squadron commander, aligned with him and at a right angle to the approaching Cadet commander in time to render a perfect hand salute.
  2. Turn to face your approaching Cadet commander and salute.

What do you do? What do you do?

Dr. Drill

Caution: Dr. Drill isn't always one hundred percent serious. Please activate your Joke Detectors. And don't call us when you find yourself explaining to a membership termination board why you used a staple gun to keep a cadet's hands at his sides during "To The Rear, March". All we're going to say on your behalf is "Duh!"

And if you find yourself on the bad end of a serious counseling because you decided to go toe-to-toe with your squadron commander over the position of the guide during a squadron-in-mass formation or something similarly trivial, well, we're just going to point, laugh and call you names!

Dr. Drill welcomes comments and corrections. Nothing herein is to be construed as official policy unless quoted from an up-to-date regulation or manual and Dr. Drill is not to be used as a blunt instrument to reshape the pointy heads of your superiors. Dr. Drill has made an extensive study of the drill and knows some people who know some things, but he's not the Final Authority on what happens at your unit. That Final Authority is? That's right, kids! Your UNIT COMMANDER.

Readers who choose to hardcopy this document are entitled to specific rights, namely: you may print this off and read it repeatedly until you have memorized it and then rattle it off as if you had thought it up yourself; but if anyone asks you - or if you have to actually pull this printed copy out of your pocket to read from - then you are required under Law (Jude Law, that is. Y'know, the English guy in "Gattica"?) to say, "This was on CadetStuff.org and I stole it like it ain't no thang!" and then do the River Dance.