Posted on Dec 3, 2015
"Attention to Orders!"... have we been doing this wrong?
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Years ago when Sergeant Major Joe Gainey was the III Corps CSM at Fort Hood, he told us at a ceremony that "Attention to Orders" does not mean stand if you are not standing and come to the position of attention. It means to pay attention to the orders. In my following commands, I always made sure I called a formation to attention before having someone "publish the orders." Unfortunately, most people in the Army still pop to attention when "Attention to Orders" is called, and those familiar with the proper meaning are left to also come to attention so they don't risk looking like they don't care or are disrespectful. Since CSM Gainey would go on to become the first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the CSA, I imagine he knew what he was talking about. What are your units doing in their ranks when "Attention to Orders" is called?
31A: Military Police
Army
Drill and Ceremony
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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This is what is referred to as a "combined command" meaning it is a preparatory command and the command of execution combined. Since there is not now or has ever been a regulation governing D&C, the guidance set forth in the TC/FM is just that...guidance. There are many examples of "created commands". The command "Center Face" and "Ready Step" are frequently used as needed with no real guidance on their absolute use. Bottom line is; if the Commander says that everyone will come to the position of attention upon the command "Attention to Orders" then that is a lawful order. How many times have we all almost killed ourselves to get to the position of attention for the made up combined command "On Your Feet"? Same thing. technically the CSM was correct. there is no written command "Attention to Orders", but does there need to be? I think not.
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CPT (Join to see)
This is unfortunately not true. It's written, word for word, in the D&C TC:
G-6. “Attention to Orders” is the statement given prior to the formal presentation of an award or recognition during a ceremony, in both a formal and informal setting. When the adjutant announces “Attention to Orders” everyone present at the ceremony silence all conversations and focus on the presentation of the award. If the commander requires military members present at the ceremony to be at the position of Attention, then execution command ATTENTION is given prior to the presentation of the award."
G-6. “Attention to Orders” is the statement given prior to the formal presentation of an award or recognition during a ceremony, in both a formal and informal setting. When the adjutant announces “Attention to Orders” everyone present at the ceremony silence all conversations and focus on the presentation of the award. If the commander requires military members present at the ceremony to be at the position of Attention, then execution command ATTENTION is given prior to the presentation of the award."
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1SG Stephen Burgess
CPT (Join to see) - Not sure if you misunderstood what I wrote or if you just wanted to disagree, but what I wrote is 100% fact. You might want to focus on the difference in a regulation and a TC/FM.
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SFC Paul Horn
1SG Stephen Burgess - your reply here shows a lot of what is wrong with the Army and leadership. When the Army releases a TC which states that "maintaining
consistency throughout the Army, the procedures prescribed herein should be followed as closely as possible." And now includes appendix G which clarifies what attention to orders means, you go ahead and makes something up out of thin air then try to justify it by being dismissive and saying your made up opinion was fact. Sad.
consistency throughout the Army, the procedures prescribed herein should be followed as closely as possible." And now includes appendix G which clarifies what attention to orders means, you go ahead and makes something up out of thin air then try to justify it by being dismissive and saying your made up opinion was fact. Sad.
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"Attention to Orders"
Is not D&C command, it is a directive.
If the commander of troops wants those in attendance to be at attention (commonly that is already done) then the D&C command Attention should be given.
I don't think you will find "Attention to Orders" described and required moments prescribed for its use as it is not a command,
Is not D&C command, it is a directive.
If the commander of troops wants those in attendance to be at attention (commonly that is already done) then the D&C command Attention should be given.
I don't think you will find "Attention to Orders" described and required moments prescribed for its use as it is not a command,
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Na, I am perfectly correct these days. When my wife issues the "Attention to orders", I just reply, What?
All jokes aside, you're right 1LT. "Pay attention to the orders I'm about to read", says the Adj in so many words.
All jokes aside, you're right 1LT. "Pay attention to the orders I'm about to read", says the Adj in so many words.
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1LT William Clardy
Be careful, SGM Mikel Dawson. Homefront 6 is not to be trifled with, or your pillow can be deployed for an indefinite tour on the couch in the basement!
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When the command to "Publish the Orders" is given and the Adjutant says, "Attention to orders" it is not a command. It is formal way of saying, listen to what I am saying, turn your head and eyes towards me. That being said, unit's in formation should be given the command to "stand at ease" which would allow them to turn their heads and eyes. Furthermore, there are only two commands which bring a unit or individual to the position of attention, the combined command, "Fall-in" and the two part command "attention" preceded by a preparatory command such as squad, platoon, demonstrator, etc...
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SPC Todd Rhoades
We never stood "at ease" in formation. Parade Rest was the standard relaxed position.
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In my experience... Attention to Orders meant military personnel in the audience (not in formation, as that is the job of the leaders in front of their units) come to the position of attention until the citation order is read. Generally a narrator will say please stand and please be seated if non-military personal are expected to stand. I have also seen ceremonies, where the narator tells the audience to remain seated. Generally, with regards to audience, when attention to orders is stated, and no one says please remain seated, the military personal pop up, and then so does everyone else. If folks are standing, they are doing so because it is the right thing to do, and/or because everyone else does... Again, I am speaking of those in the audience, not those in unit participating in a ceremony as a unit.
From the Company Commander's Spouse Battle Book.. Published by the USA War College:
• When “Attention to Orders” is announced (promotion), soldiers rise to attention, civilians can remain seated but out of courtesy should stand as well. (at formal ceremonies, such as changes of command, the direction “Attention to Orders” is usually omitted therefore all remain seated)...
• As with promotions and awards, if “Attention to Orders” (the reading of the retirement orders) is announced, soldiers will rise. Out of courtesy, civilians should as well. For all other portions, remain seatedNot sure that helps...
From the Company Commander's Spouse Battle Book.. Published by the USA War College:
• When “Attention to Orders” is announced (promotion), soldiers rise to attention, civilians can remain seated but out of courtesy should stand as well. (at formal ceremonies, such as changes of command, the direction “Attention to Orders” is usually omitted therefore all remain seated)...
• As with promotions and awards, if “Attention to Orders” (the reading of the retirement orders) is announced, soldiers will rise. Out of courtesy, civilians should as well. For all other portions, remain seatedNot sure that helps...
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I must say - I never knew this! It does seem like a "command" to come to the position of attention (and not just to pay attention) when used as it usually is - I can see why there has been confusion on this for many of us for years!! Thanks for the info!
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In TC 3-21.5 the unit should already be at attention when the adjutant going to call "Attention to Orders. The adjutant doesn't have any ability to call any commands that would change the posture of the soldiers in the formation. The Command element should be in front of the formation when this is happening. He shouldn't have already called them to attention. Even if you have not called your formation to attention when the Commander is there in front of the formation he is the only that can call any commands that can change their posture.
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LTC Christopher Carpentier
All good comments. 1SG, I believe you are correct in that in a COC, the Adjutant is in charge of the formation until he/she turns it over to the Commander of Troops (usually the XO).
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1LT William Clardy
LTC Christopher Carpentier, it's been a while since I attended a change of command (and unfortunately, a couple of decades longer since I attended one conducted properly), but my recollection is that the senior commander has command of the formation. The adjutant is just a member of the formation, responsible for reading the paperwork.
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Sir, is this in a regulation somewhere? I've been doing this wrong for 19 years.
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MSG (Join to see)
Attention to Orders is calling your attention; its not a “Preparatory Command” nor is it a “Command of Execution”.
Here’s another you probably have been doing wrong for 19 years, do you salute after meetings? If so why?
Here’s another you probably have been doing wrong for 19 years, do you salute after meetings? If so why?
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Wow, i still see this happening on a regular basis. I am a civilian working for the US Army and i still see it happening. Both civilians and military come to attention at such command. Granted the civilians that i see do it, are veterans.
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