20.5 Drill & Formation
Key Takeaways
- The flight formation is the most practical drill group and is composed of at least two, but no more than four, elements.
- Drill standards include the 24-inch step and a cadence of 100 to 120 steps per minute.
- A drill command usually has two parts: the preparatory command and the command of execution.
- The four positions of rest are parade rest, at ease, rest, and fall out.
- At parade rest the heels are 12 inches apart measured from the inside of the heels, with the right hand placed in the palm of the left.
Why Drill Matters
"Ceremonies involving drill and formations honor distinguished persons, recognize special events, and demonstrate the proficiency and training state of Airmen." AFH 1 connects the drill field to the ceremony floor: "The precision marching, promptness in responding to commands, and teamwork developed on the drill field are key to the professional appearance and performance of the formation during ceremonies."
"Whether giving or following commands, good military bearing is essential to all involved."
The flight formation is "the most practical drill group and is composed of at least two, but no more than four, elements." The reference for detail is DAFPAM 34-1203, Drill and Ceremonies.
Two to four elements is the range to memorize — and it connects back to Chapter 5, where flights typically break into three or four evenly distributed elements.
Drill Standards
"Standards, such as the 24-inch step, cadence of 100 to 120 steps per minute, distance, and interval, were established to ensure movements are executed with order and precision."
| Standard | Value |
|---|---|
| Step length | 24 inches |
| Cadence | 100 to 120 steps per minute |
24 inches and 100–120 steps per minute are the two numeric drill facts the PFE draws on.
The Four Types of Commands
"A drill command is an oral order that usually has two parts: the preparatory command and the command of execution."
| Part | Function |
|---|---|
| Preparatory command | Precedes the command of execution. "It explains what the movement will be and what elements or parts of the formation will be executing the movement" |
| Command of execution | "Explains what movement will be carried out" |
AFH 1's worked example: in "Flight, HALT," the word "Flight" is the preparatory command designating the unit, and "HALT" is the command of execution to be performed.
Note the convention in AFH 1's text: the command of execution is printed in capital letters — Flight, ATTENTION; Parade, REST; Open Ranks, MARCH. That typographic cue identifies which half is which in any command the exam presents.
| Command type | Definition and examples |
|---|---|
| Supplementary | Given when one unit of the element must execute a movement different from another unit, or the same movement at a different time. Examples: "CONTINUE THE MARCH" and "STAND FAST" |
| Informational | "Has no preparatory command or command of execution and is not supplementary." Used to direct others to give commands. Examples: "PREPARE FOR INSPECTION" and "DISMISS THE SQUADRON" |
| Mass | "Help develop confidence, self-reliance, assertiveness, and enthusiasm by making the individual recall, give, and execute proper commands." Usually confined to simple movements with short preparatory commands and commands of execution carried out simultaneously by all elements. Each person gives commands in unison as if responsible for the entire element |
The discriminator between supplementary and informational is whether the command has the two-part structure at all: supplementary commands direct a different movement or timing for part of the formation; informational commands direct others to give commands and have no preparatory/execution structure.
Drill Positions
Fall In
On the command "FALL IN," individuals form a flight in line formation — "falling into formation by forming a 'long' line from shoulder to shoulder." Each Airman automatically establishes their dress, cover, interval, and distance, executes an automatic ready front, and remains at the position of attention.
Four things established automatically: dress, cover, interval, and distance.
Attention
On "Flight, ATTENTION," members come to attention by:
- Bringing the heels together smartly and on line, with feet turned out equally to form a 45-degree angle
- Keeping the legs straight without stiffening or locking the knees
- Body erect with hips level, chest lifted, back arched, and shoulders square and even
- Arms hanging straight down alongside the body without stiffness, wrists straight with the forearms
- Thumbs, resting along the first joint of the forefinger, placed along the seams of the trousers or sides of the skirt
- Hands cupped (but not clenched as a fist) with palms facing the leg
- Head held straight to the front, chin drawn slightly so the axis of the head and neck is vertical, eyes to the front with the line of sight parallel to the ground
- Weight resting equally on the heels and balls of both feet
- Silence and immobility are required
The 45-degree foot angle and hands cupped, not clenched are the two details most often tested.
Open Ranks
"Open Ranks, MARCH" is only given to a formation when in line at normal intervals.
| Rank | Movement on "MARCH" |
|---|---|
| Fourth rank | Stands fast and automatically executes dress right dress |
| Third rank | Takes one pace |
| Second rank | Takes two paces |
| First rank | Takes three paces forward |
The flight commander then aligns the flight and commands "Ready, FRONT."
Open ranks is a command given for inspecting the flight. After inspecting, the inspector marches off to the right flank (element leaders), the commander calls the flight to attention, and then commands "Close Ranks, MARCH."
| Rank | Movement on close ranks |
|---|---|
| First rank | Stands fast |
| Second rank | Takes one pace forward and halts at attention |
| Third rank | Takes two paces forward |
| Fourth rank | Takes three paces forward |
The mirror structure is the key: on open ranks the front rank moves farthest and the rear stands fast; on close ranks the front stands fast and the rear moves farthest. Reversing them is the standard distractor.
The Four Positions of Rest
"There are four positions of rest: parade rest, at ease, rest, and fall out." Two procedural rules bracket them:
- "The commander and members of the formation must be at the position of attention before going to any of the rest positions"
- "To resume the position of attention from any of the rests (except fall out, for which the commander uses the command 'FALL IN'), the command is 'Flight, ATTENTION'"
| Position | Command | What it permits | What it requires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parade Rest | "Parade, REST" | Nothing — remain silent and immobile | Raise the left foot from the hip just enough to clear the ground and move smartly to the left so the heels are 12 inches apart, measured from the inside of the heels. Legs straight but not stiff, heels on line. Arms fully extended to the back of the body, hands uncupped with fingers straightened, pointing toward the ground, palms outward, with the right hand in the palm of the left, right thumb over the left to form an "X." Head and eyes straight ahead |
| At Ease | "AT EASE" | May relax in a standing position | Must keep the right foot in place. Position in the formation will not change. Silence is maintained |
| Rest | "REST" | Moderate speech is permitted | The same requirements as at ease apply — right foot in place |
| Fall Out | "FALL OUT" | May relax in a standing position or break ranks. Moderate speech is permitted | Must remain in the immediate area. No specific method of dispersal is required |
How to Keep the Four Straight
The positions form a clean ladder of increasing freedom:
- Parade rest — silent, immobile, feet fixed at 12 inches
- At ease — may relax, right foot in place, silence maintained
- Rest — same as at ease, but moderate speech permitted
- Fall out — may break ranks, speech permitted, remain in the immediate area
The only difference between "at ease" and "rest" is speech. That single distinction is the most tested point in Section 24E, and the right foot stays planted for both.
The 12-inch heel spacing at parade rest and the "X" formed by right hand over left are the two physical details most likely to be asked about directly.
What is the only difference between the rest positions 'at ease' and 'rest'?
In the command 'Flight, HALT,' which part is the preparatory command and which is the command of execution?
On the command 'Open Ranks, MARCH,' how do the ranks move?