Air Force Vocab

Alignment

dress or cover

Base

• element on which a movement is planned, regulated, or aligned (usually 3rd element)

Cadence

• uniform step/rhythm in marching

• Steps marched per minute

Quick Time

• cadence of 100 steps per minute when marching

Center

• middle point of formation

• Odd # fronts is dead middle

• Even # fronts it is the front right

Cover

• individual aligning themselves behind the person in front of them

Depth

• total space front to rear of any formation

How much is am individual depth?

12 in

Distance

• space from front to rear of distance of formation

• measured from back of one person to front of another

• 40 inches each, 80 in total

Dress

• alignement of elements side by side or in a line

Elements

Basic formation

• smallest drill unit comprised of at least 3 (but usually 8-12) individuals (including element leader)

How are elements numbered in line formation?

• front to back (increasing order)

• left to right (increasing order so left is 1, 2, 3,…

What is the last element called?

Base

File

• single column in formation

Ranks

• single line of people placed side by side

Flanks

• extreme right or left side of formation

Flight

• formation consisting of 2-4 elements (at least 6 people +1 FLT/CC)

Guide

• designated person who regulates direction and rate of march

Intervals

• space between individuals placed side by side

• (normally arms lengths)

How long is a close interval?

• 4 inches

Column Formation

• arrangement of elements side by side

• guide and element leaders stand in front

Inverted Column

• reverse of column formation where guides and element leaders stand in back

Line Formation

• arranging of elements one behind the other

• guide and element leaders are on right flank of formation

Inverted Line Formation

• guide and element leaders on left flank of formation