Military Drill Commands: Basic Positions, Movements, and Salutes

Attention

Basic position; body straight, heels together, arms at sides, head and eyes forward, ready for commands.

Parade Rest

Relaxed stance from Attention; feet 12 inches apart, arms behind back, fingers joined, palms out, silent until next command.

At Ease

Relax in place, keeping right foot in position; no speaking allowed; only Flight Attention may be commanded.

Rest

Relaxed position similar to At Ease; moderate speech permitted.

Left Face

Two-count movement to pivot 90 degrees to the left; upper body remains at Attention.

Right Face

Two-count movement to pivot 90 degrees to the right; upper body remains at Attention.

About Face

Two-count movement to pivot 180 degrees to the right; heels together, body back at Attention.

Present Arms

Raise right hand along centerline, fingers joined; tip of middle finger touches contact point on cap or face; hold until Order Arms.

Order Arms

Lower hand retracing path used to raise it; cup hand as it passes the waist; body at Attention.

Hand Salute

Exchanged outdoors between cadets and officers; indoors when reporting or receiving awards; junior initiates.

Eyes, Right / Ready, Front

Turn head 45 degrees to right on Eyes, return front on Ready Front; Flight Sergeant salutes, cadets turn head but do not salute.

Fall Out

Relax in place, remain in area; moderate speech allowed; only command from here is Fall In.

Dismissed

Break ranks and leave the area.

Open Ranks, March

Elements take staggered 24-inch steps forward to increase spacing for inspection; leaders maintain distances and alignment.

Close Ranks, March

Elements take staggered 24-inch steps backward to close ranks after inspection; leaders maintain distances and alignment.

Forward, March / Flight, Halt

March forward in 24-inch steps, coordinated arm swing; Halt brings body back to Attention with feet forming 45-degree angle.

Right Flank, March

Pivot 90 degrees to the right, resume 24-inch steps and coordinated arm swing.

Left Flank, March

Pivot 90 degrees to the left, resume 24-inch steps and coordinated arm swing.

To the Rear, March

Take 12-inch step, pivot 180 degrees to the right, resume 24-inch steps.

Change Step, March

Temporarily suspend arm swing, transfer weight, step off with opposite foot in 24-inch step, resume arm swing.

Right Step, March

Move one step ~12 inches to the right from center, heels form 45-degree angle; continue marching.

Left Step, March

Move one step ~12 inches to the left from center, heels form 45-degree angle; continue marching.

Column Right, March

Pivot 90 degrees right at leader's pivot point; maintain dress, cover, interval, and distance; coordinate steps with element leaders.

Column Left, March

Pivot 90 degrees left at leader's pivot point; maintain dress, cover, interval, and distance; coordinate steps with element leaders.

Column of Files from Right, Forward, March

March single file from right side; elements step off in sequence under guide's direction, maintaining dress and cover.

Column of Files from Left, Forward, March

March single file from left side; elements step off in sequence under guide's direction, maintaining dress and cover.

Extend, March (Halted)

Increase spacing between elements to normal interval; executed with half-step adjustments and pivots.

Extend, March (Marching)

Increase spacing between elements to normal interval during marching; executed with half-step adjustments and pivots.

Close, March (Halted)

Reduce spacing between elements to close interval; executed with half-step adjustments and pivots.

Close, March (Marching)

Reduce spacing between elements to close interval during marching; executed with half-step adjustments and pivots.

Order Guidon

Guidon held vertical, ferrule on ground beside right foot; right hand grips staff in "V", left hand steadying.

Carry Guidon

Grasp staff with left hand while loosening right; raise guidon, ferrule ~6 inches from ground, regrasp right hand, cut left hand away.

Parade Rest (Guidon)

Slide hand up staff, incline staff forward at arm's length, hand at waist level.

Present Arms (Guidon)

Raise guidon vertically, right arm fully extended, left hand across chest; on execution, lower guidon to front with right arm extended.

Order Arms (Guidon)

Return guidon to carry position, staff slides through right hand, steady with left hand, then cut left hand away.

Individual Salute (Guidon)

Two-count movement with left hand; first across body, forearm straight, fingers extended, tip touches staff; second, cut hand away to side.

Dress

Alignment of elements side by side or in line, maintaining proper interval.

Cover

Align directly behind person in front while maintaining proper distance.

Interval

Space between individuals side by side; normal interval = arm's length; close interval = 4 inches.

Distance

Front-to-rear spacing between units; 40 inches from chest to back of person in front.