Operational Medicine 2001
Field Medical Service School
Student Handbook

CLOSE ORDER DRILL
FMST 0106
05 Nov 99

LESSON PURPOSE.  To familiarize the student with Marine Corps unit drill commands and movements. 

NOTE:  These period of instruction are conducted by platoon advisors to:

1.    Move students in an orderly manner, in formation, from one place to another.

2.     Teach individual and unit discipline by having the students individually and collectively respond to verbal commands and direction.

3.  Learning objectives are neither specified nor measured during the lesson.

OUTLINE

A.     DEFINITIONS.

1.      Element.  An individual, squad, platoon, company, or other unit which is part of a larger unit.

2.      Formation.  Arrangement of elements of a unit in line, in column, or in any other  prescribed manner.

3.      Line.  A formation in which the elements are abreast, except that a section or platoon is in line when its squads are in line and one behind the other.

4.      Rank.  A line of men placed side by side.

5.      Column.  A formation in which elements are placed one behind the other, except  that a section or platoon is in column when its squads are in column and abreast.

6.      File.  A single column of men one behind the other.

7.      Flank.  The right or left extremity of a unit either in line or in column.

8.      Depth.  The space from head to rear of an element or a formation.

9.      Front.  The space occupied by an element or a formation, measured from one flank to the other, which measures a distance of 22 inches.

10.  Distance.  Space between elements in the direction of depth.  Between individuals,  the space between your chest and the person to the front.  In student formations, the distance between ranks is 40 inches.

11.  Interval.  The lateral space between elements on the same line.  Interval is measured between elements other than individuals and between formations from flank to flank.  Normal interval between individuals is one arm's  length.  Close interval is the horizontal distance between shoulder  and elbow when the left hand is placed on the left hip.

12.  Alignment.  The dressing of several elements on a straight line.

13.  Base.  The element on which a movement is regulated.

14.  Guide.  The individual (base) upon whom a formation, or elements thereof, regulates its march.  To guide, to regulate interval, direction, or alignment, to regulate cadence on a base file (right, left, or center).

15.  Pace.  The length of a full step in quick time, 30 inches.

16.  Step.  The distance from heel to heel between the feet of a marching student.  The half step and back steps in quick and double time are 30 and 36 inches, respectively.

17.  Cadence.  A rhythmic rate of march at a uniform step.

18.  Quick Time.  Cadence at 120 steps (12, 15, or 30 inches in length) per minute.  It  is the normal cadence for drill and ceremonies.

19.  Double Time.  Cadence at 180 steps (36 inches in length) per minute.

20.  Slow Time.  A rhythmic rate of march at a uniform step.

21.  As You Were.  The command to cancel a movement or order started but not completed.  At this command, troops should assume their former positions.

B.     COMMANDS.  There are two parts to a military drill command that you need to know and understand.

1.      Preparatory Command.  The preparatory command indicates the movement that is to be executed.

2.      Execution Command .  The command of execution causes the movement to be executed.

a.       Commands:

1)      Column Left.

2)      Column Right.

3)      Column Half-Left.

4)      Column Half-Right.

5)      To The Rear.

6)      Left Oblique.

7)      Right Oblique.

8)      By the Left Flank.

9)      By the Right Flank.

C.     FORMATIONS.

1.      Line.  The platoon normally forms in line with the squad leaders on the right of their squads and the guide on the right of the first squad leader.  The platoon marches in line for short distances only.

2.      Column.  The platoon always assumes this formation from the line formation.  This is done at normal interval.  The command is, “Right Face”.  The column is normally the simplest method of moving the unit from one place to another in a standard, orderly manner.

D.     DRILL MOVEMENTS WITHOUT ARMS.

1.      Position of Attention.  Basic military position from which most of the other movements are executed.

2.      Rest.  To give the students a rest from the position of attention.  Types:

a.       Parade Rest.

b.      At Ease.

c.       Rest.

d.      Fall Out.

3.      Hand Salute.  Form of courtesy used by the military.

4.      Facing.  To face the unit to the right, left or about.

5.      Quick Time.  To march forward at 120, 30 inch steps per minute.

6.      Half-Step.  To march forward at 120, 15 inch steps per minute.

7.      Side Step.  To move the unit a short distance to the right or left.

8.      Back Step.  March the unit backward for a short distance.

9.      Route Step.  To march at rest (route step).

10.  Mark Time.  To march in place at quick time.

E.      Platoon Movements.

1.      Fall In.  To form the platoon into the basic drill formation.

2.      Fall Out.  To allow the platoon to break formation, however, they must stay in the immediate area.

3.      Dismissed.  To dismiss the platoon from ranks.

4.      Change of Direction.  To change the direction of march of a column.

5.      Count Off.  To designate the relative position in ranks to establish precisely the number of personnel present.

6.      Diminish the Front - Form a Column of Two's and Reform.  To Form a Column of Two’s or to Reform into standard column formation.

7.      Form a Column of Files and Reform.  to form the platoon into a Column of Files and reform the  platoon into a Column of Three’s (the standard column formation).

8.      Alignments.  To align the platoon.

9.      To Close and Extend the Interval in Line.  To obtain close interval and extend to normal interval.

10.  To Close and Extend the Interval in Column.  To obtain close interval and extend to normal interval.

11.  Flanks.  To march to the right or left flank for a short distance.

12.  Open and Close Ranks.  To increase the distance between ranks.

STUDENT REFERENCE

Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, NAVMC 2691, Aug.  1985

Field Medical Service School
Camp Pendleton, California

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Operational Medicine 2001
Health Care in Military Settings

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