CHATHAM ROYAL MARINES CADETS

BASIC DRILL MOVEMENTS

  

The aim of basic drill is to develop in the individual Royal Marine Cadet personal pride in his appearance and bearing, and a sense of instinctive obedience which will assist him at all times to obey orders. Manoeuvre drill incorporates most of the common basic drills and practices leaders in giving words of command.

 Attention

“SQUAD-ATTENTION!” (Pronounced Chun)

Move sharply to this position: Heels together and in line, feet turned out to an angle of 30 degrees; knees braced back: body erect and with the weight balanced evenly between the balls of the feet and the heels; shoulders down and back (so as to bring the chest to a normal position without straining or stiffening), level, and square to the front; arms hanging straight from the shoulders, elbows close to the sides, wrists straight, hands closed (not clenched), backs of the fingers close to the thighs, knuckles parallel to the ground, thumbs straight and to the front, close to the forefinger and close behind the seams of the trousers; head up. back of the neck feeling the collar, eyes open, steady and looking their own height.

  

Stand at ease

"STAND AT-EASE"

Keeping the right foot still and leg braced back, drive the left foot sharply to the left so that the heels are twelve inches apart; at the same time force the arms by the nearest way behind the back, keeping them straight, and place the back of the right hand in the palm of the left, thumbs crossed, fingers and hands straight and pointing toward the ground; at the same time transfer the weight of the body slightly to the left so as to be evenly balanced.

When fighting order is worn, or any articles are carried under the arm and no rifle is carried, the arms are kept to the sides. 

 

Stand easy

“STAND-EASY!”

Relax the arms, legs, body and head. Feet remain in position to maintain dressing. Except on ceremonial parades, a handkerchief may be used and clothing adjusted. No talking.

 

 

Proving

A movement whereby a member of the squad identifies themselves, normally to indicate to either the squad or draw the attention of the Drill Leader.

E.g. “RIGHT HAND MARKER, PROVE!”

The right-hand marker forces his right arm upward to the full extent, at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal, palm to the left, fingers extended and close together. This is achieved by bending the elbow and forcing the hand upward. Ensure that the head & eyes stay to the front

 

 

Numbering

A method of identifying individual squad members without knowing names. Numbering establishes the front rank which will remain as such until the squad is turned about (not retired) and re-numbered.

 “SQUAD - NUMBER!”

The front rank only of the squad will number off sharply from right to left, the right-hand man calling out 'One', the next 'Two', and so on. Each man will keep his head and eyes to the front. Men in the centre and rear ranks take the number of the front-rank man whom they are covering.

 

 

FALL IN

This command is used as a general order to muster as a squad as well as a formal drill sequence.

The squad forms up in three ranks and stands easy, on the edge of the parade ground, facing in the direction they will be when on parade. The right guide or right hand man of the front-rank acts as right marker.

 

“SQUAD, RIGHT-MARKER!”. On the command “SQUAD!” the squad comes properly to ease. On the command “MARKER!” the right marker comes to attention, marches in quick time 15 paces straight to his front (a lesser distance if there is not enough space), halts, counts a pause and stands at ease.

 

“IN ??? RANKS ON YOUR RIGHT MARKER, FALL, IN!”. Marker and squad come to attention. The squad march forward straight to their front, halt on the 15th pace, dress automatically, look to the front and stand at ease in succession from the right. A uniform pause will be made between movements.

 

 

DRESSING

This action is carried out either as automatic dressing or to word of command.

 By word of command. “RIGHT-DRESS!”

The squad, except the right-hand man of each rank, turn the head and eyes to the right; at the same time men in the front rank only extend the right arm parallel to the ground, first clenched, back of the hand uppermost, so that the knuckles touch the sleeve of the man on the right; count a regulation pause; each individual then dresses by taking short, quick steps until he can just see the lower part of the face of the man two away from him. Numbers 2 and 3 of each rank obtain correct alignment by getting their shoulders in line with Number 1. At close order, the right-hand man of the centre and rear ranks places himself 30 inches from the rank in front, each individual of these ranks covering off correctly by glancing out of the corner of his eye.

 When this movement is done with rifles, the left arm will be raised and the head and eyes turned to the right.

 “EYES - FRONT!” Turn the head smartly to the front, and cut away the hand to the sides, by bending the elbow slightly and punching the hand down to the position of attention.

 

To Dress automatically

Men dress as by word of command but each man working independently. When the squad has completed its dressing, head and eyes are turned to the front and hands cut away in succession from the right to the left, ranks in rear taking the time from the front rank.

 

 

DISMISSING

The squad which will be in close order, turn to the right, make a uniform pause, salute, (If officer on parade) and after a further uniform pause step off. the whole squad maintaining step and formation until clear of the parade ground.

 

 

Turning at the halt

“RIGHT TURN!”

Keeping the knees straight and the body erect, turn through 90 degrees to the right, on the right heel and left toe, raising the right toe and left heel in doing so, and keeping the weight of the body on the right foot. On completion of this movement the right foot is flat on the ground, the left leg to the rear with heel raised and turned in, both knees braced back and the body in the position of attention. Allow a pause of one marching pace then bring the left foot into the right by raising the left toe. Ensure the arms remain by the side throughout the movement.

Left Turn is the opposite movement.

 

“ABOUT TURN!”

Turn through 180 degrees, bracing the legs and maintaining the balance by locking the thighs together. Finish as in turn. The about turn is always made turning to the right.

 

“RIGHT INCLINE!”

Turn through 45 degrees, as in right turn. Left Incline is the opposite movement

 

 

 

Marching in Quick Time                                                                  Quick Time - 116 paces/minute

 

On the command “QUICK-MARCH!” the cadet will always step off (from the position of attention) with the left foot, swinging the right arm forward and the left arm to the rear.

Each pace is 30 inches/75 cms (heel to heel). With the heel striking the ground first, and straight knees. Swing each leg forward naturally, the knee being bent sufficiently for the toe to clear the ground.

Swing the arms freely from front to rear in a straight line in time with the heel striking the ground. The arms are kept straight and swung from the shoulder, as far to the rear as possible and to the front until the hand is in line with the belt; wrists straight: fingers curled up: thumbs on top, shoulders still and square to the front.

 

“SQUAD-HALT!” (Given as the left foot strikes the ground) Miss pace on right foot, complete a pace with the left foot and bring the right foot sharply to the left. At the same time force the arms into the sides to the position of attention. The arms will be kept straight while doing this.

 

Mark time in quick time from the halt (116 paces/minute)

“QUICK MARK-TIME!”1. The left knee is raised so that the top of the thigh is parallel to the ground. The lower leg perpendicular and the foot at a natural angle. Straighten the leg again directly to resume the position of attention and as the foot comes into contact with the ground repeat the movement with the right leg. The body should be erect, shoulders square to the front and arms by the side.

 

Mark time from the quick march

“MARK-TIME!”. (Given with a long cautionary word of command and the executive as the left foot passes the right.) Complete the pace with the right foot and begin marking time with the left foot. At the same time forcing the arms into the position of attention, right arm from the front, left arm from the rear.

 

Quick march from quick marking time

“FOR-WARD!”. ('FOR' as the right foot, 'WARD!' as the left foot meets the ground.) The right foot completes the next pace marking time, and, as the right foot comes to the ground, the left foot is shot forward and the arms are swung to take up the marching in quick time.

 

Paces to the front and to the rear

“. . PACES FORWARD (or STEP BACK) MARCH!” Paces forward/rear are always taken in quick time.

1. The left foot must be shot forward or to the rear a full pace of 30 inches.

2. If one pace is ordered, halt on that left foot by pulling the right foot into the left with heels together.

3. The first pace gets the body moving. The legs following are allowed to swing naturally.

4. The arms will be kept still to the sides, as in the position of attention and the shoulders square to the front.

5. The maximum number of paces that men will be ordered to step forward or to the rear will be four.

 

The side pace

The side pace (12 inches/30 cms) is used to move the squad up to 8 side paces to a flank. Up to 4 paces can be specified, when the squad will halt automatically.

 

“1/2/3/4 Paces LEFT CLOSE-MARCH!” Force the left foot off 12 inches to the left, the ball of the foot contacting the ground first. Instantly closing the right foot to it, thus completing the phase. Except for the feet, the correct position of attention will be maintained. Leave a pause between each phase equivalent to one pace in quick time.

 

“LEFT CLOSE - MARCH!” Number of paces not being specified, continue the movement until halted.

 

“SQUAD-HALT!” The command is given as the heels are together. The squad will complete one more phase.

 

Changing step in quick time

“CHANGE-STEP!”. (Given as the right foot passes the left.) Complete the full pace with the left foot flat on the ground. Bring the hollow of the right foot up to the heel of the left foot and pull the arms into the position of attention. Maintain the angle of 30 degrees between the feet. Shoot the left foot forward a full pace of 30 inches and continue to march. Start the swing of the arms again with the second pace forward of the left foot.

 

Turnings on the march

The correct position of marching must be maintained throughout the turn. Dressing etc must be corrected by each individual member of the squad immediately after turning.

Turns and inclines on the march comprise two movements:

< >Action to check the forward movement and at the same time to change direction.A new movement to lead off in the new direction.

CHATHAM ROYAL MARINES CADET

SALUTE

 

 

The true history of the salute has been lost in time but it has been used as a greeting and sign of respect and trust for many centuries. The right hand is raised, traditionally to remove headdress so revealing identity. The act of moving the fighting hand (right hand) to the head in an open manner taking it away from the waist where weapons were normally carried showed trust. The position of the present arms, and the salute with the sword has the same meaning. A salute should always be given smartly and with pride.

 

Occasions of Salutes

When the National Anthem is played.

When coming aboard one of Her Majesty’s Ships or stepping onto the quarterdeck. At the ceremony of Colours and Sunset.

When reporting to addressed by or passing an officer.

Salutes aren't normally exchanged aboard ship or in the field unless reporting to officer.

 

The following are saluted

The Queen, the royal family and members of any foreign royal family.

Officers of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and their foreign equivalents, (even if officer is in plain clothes). An officer is saluted as the Queens representative, and the holder of Her Majesty’s Commission.

Cars flying an official distinguishing flag or starred plate, uncased colours or guidons. A hearse containing a coffin.

 

SALUTE TO THE FRONT

< >The right arm is kept straight and raised sideways until it is horizontal, palm of the hand to the front. fingers extended and thumb close to the forefinger. Keeping the upper arm still and the hand and wrist straight, bend the elbow until the tip of the forefinger is one inch above the right eye.To return to the position of attention the hand is cut the shortest way to the side. The fingers will be curled up on the way down to the side.When passing an officer, the man will salute as with headdress but keeps arms into side.When passed by an officer he will stand to attention.If wearing headdress, the man will remove it well clear of his head and look the officer in the eye.When not wearing headdress, inclining his head and eyes and saying “Good evening, Sir”.He will stand to attention if speaking to, or being spoken to by, an officer when sitting.

 

When fallen out

If two or more men are sitting or standing about, the senior NCO or marine will face the officer, order “MEN STANDING ABOUT-ATTENTION!” and himself salute the officer.

 

IN A ROOM

When appearing before an officer in a room, a man will salute. He will not remove his headdress.