What's Wrong With This Picture?
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". |