Drill and Ceremonies. Should we start bringing this back into the ranks?

2015-07-02T14:33:09-04:00

I've noticed that aside from NCOES and other ceremonial venues, that rarely do we see units actually "drilling" anymore. When's the last time you saw a squad leader take his guys out and run through the basics? I think this is something we as mid level leaders should really bring back. Personally I think that something as simple as marching your soldiers and drilling them, as well as developing their own skill at performing drill as well as leading it builds confidence and discipline. What say you? Should we start bringing this back into the ranks? Do you think it would reinforce discipline in the junior soldiers?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-07-02T14:38:23-04:00

I certainly do. After becoming the Detachment NCOIC for my unit, I have begun to incorporate D&C into the daily stuff

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 2:41 PM

2015-07-02T14:41:07-04:00

Absolutely a must! Bringing back the basics is vital to regaining control. Look at other countries and what do you see... They go through this a lot and I believe that we are missing the boat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-07-02T14:53:29-04:00

I just came back from Ft. Benning, and I didn't see any of the troops do much D and C. I avoided the BCT units. Perhaps the OCS is going to the chow hall. I believe that the Airborne units are doing it to durty hours.

If there is three troops, then they should be marching in my opinion.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Nov 9 at 2016 4:18 PM

2016-11-09T16:18:46-05:00

After Boot I only drilled at Nco school, if you tried to make the guys drill they'd think you lost your mind and "went lifer" on them.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Nov 9 at 2016 4:54 PM

2016-11-09T16:54:49-05:00

No. Useless skill. Might as well teach the phalanx.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2016 12:40 AM

2016-11-10T00:40:09-05:00

It doesnt teach discipline as much as most people say it does. What teaches good discipline is good NCOs who actually know their job and earn the respect and confidence of their joes. Actually going out and training every day instead of sitting around the footprint doing stupid details that have nothing to do with your job or being a soldier.

Response by SSG Will Phillips made Nov 10 at 2016 2:49 AM

2016-11-10T02:49:31-05:00

Absolutely! Did D&C go the way of teaching cursive writing did in elementary schools? D&C conditions and mentally prepares your men to respond to your voice and commands instantly and with out hesitation. WTF??

Response by David Wawrzyniak made Nov 17 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-11-17T20:46:23-05:00

Yes

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Feb 2 at 2018 3:54 PM

2018-02-02T15:54:18-05:00

Is FM 22-5 (Drill and Ceremonies) still in use today? If so, I'm sure the photos from the old M-1 are now showing the M-16. That manual was my second Bible in active duty.

As an added note, I had memorized the FM 22-5 while in high school ROTC, which was of great help when entering Basic Training and later close-order drill in subsequent units of assignment.

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 2 at 2018 4:43 PM

2018-02-02T16:43:31-05:00

I loved DnC when I was in. The last 15 minutes of PT was always designated for DnC. Sometimes that's all we would do for PT but it would be a contest. Start of as a group and each time someone messed a movement out they'd fall out and do pushups, sit-ups or jog the track until the last man was left standing. He would then become in charge of the formation until the next winner was decided or he messed up a command. Made it less monotonous. Counter column and left turn (I think that's what it was called) not column left but where everyone turns immediately, usually used to have a smaller element fall into a large battalion formation.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 6:51 PM

2018-02-02T18:51:39-05:00

I know this is an old post, and sure I’m Navy. And yes, I’m going to mention JROTC, but hang with me and hear me out.

I would say, yes, more D&C. I’m not saying make it mandatory fun, or just another thing we have to do to take up time, or to move from place to place.

I note that when I accessed this story, the related stories to pop up we’re about unit history, military traditions, and the ACU. These are the “extras”, Can we do the job of killing the enemy without knowing our unit’s history,wiout salutes and honors, without shining our boots and starching the uniforms? Of course we can. Can we teach a student to have a successful life without history, culture, and literature? Sure. But will that person be better for it? Will they know the “why”, or just limited to “what”?

I’m a history teacher. I tell my students that any computer can do math, science, and grammar. But it takes a human to do the humanities, you get the higher and the better by studying history, literature, culture, religion, philosophy, music, art, etc. etc. Its the little things that take success to a more complete level.

I was in JROTC, Army, as a high schooler. That unit, for over 30 years, has been in the top 5% of all JROTC units, nationwide. We had a Vietnam-era Infantry SGM with a CIB, a Soldiers Medal for heroism, and. DrillSGT crest. We also had an MP 1SG with the Drill badge, and a Cav LTC. We marched, and marched, and drilled. We did the other too, map reading, first aid, presentations, military history, but oh we did D&C.

But you know what that LTC, 1SG, and SGM told us? What those upperclassmen in high school echoed? As freshmen, we were told that 1) this is the fundamental, and 2) when you get this....then “welcome to the unit”. You get this, you’re a part of the team. And when we wore the pickle Class Bs, with our cadet officers in Green A’s and the “raiders” in BDUs (starched, with shined boots), we were told “look good in those uniforms. I had friends die while wearing them”.

So now, I GET to wear the pickle suit, I GET to starch BDUs and shine black boots, I GET to march, I have pride in my appearance, because 1) I’m part of the team, and 2) it’s an honor to carry on the flame of those who’ve gone before me, also part of the team.

To this day, I can’t think of more pride, in every student from the projects to the rich kids to the rednecks, than when we, as high schoolers, did D&C in Class B greens or BDUs.

But of course, now history’s not important enough to teach in school, we cut music and arts, wear baggy and crumpled ACUs to the office, and gaggle instead of drill.

Maybe I’m a old soul in a young body, but I miss the detail, the pride, the team, the professionalism of yonder years.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Feb 7 at 2018 2:14 PM

2018-02-07T14:14:26-05:00

I retired in 2014 and have to say I was unaware D & C ever left, nothing worse than seeing a ragged formation and/or ceremony especially if it is being viewed by civilians or even worse by the higher ups!!