AZ-862 Drill Team General Knowledge Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from the AZ-862 Drill Team General Knowledge Book.

File

A single line of persons placed one behind the other.

Rank

A single line of persons placed side-by-side.

Pace

A step of 24 inches, the length of a full step in quick time.

Cover

Alignment of individuals one behind the other maintaining proper distance.

Dress

Alignment of individuals side by side maintaining proper interval.

Formation

An arrangement of units.

Unit

Any portion of a given formation.

Inverted Line

Arrangement of units one behind the other with element leaders and guide to extreme left flank.

In Line

Arrangement of units one behind the other with element leaders and guide to extreme right flank.

Inverted Column

Arrangement of units side-by-side with element leaders and guide to the rear.

In Column

Arrangement of units side-by-side with element leaders and guide at the head.

Flight

At least two, but no more than four elements.

Inflection

Change in pitch of voice, generally rising through commands.

Step

Distance measured from heel to heel of a marching individual.

Alignment

Dress or cover.

Flank

Extreme right or left (troops right/left) side of a formation in column or line.

Guide

Individual designated to regulate the direction and rate of march.

Mark Time

Marching in place at 100 - 120 steps per minute.

Command of Execution

On this command you complete the action you were 'thinking about'.

Quick Time

Rate of marching 100 - 120 steps a minute (12 or 24 inches).

Double Time

Rate of marching 180 steps a minute (30 inch step).

Interval

Space between individuals placed side-by-side. Normal is arm's length close is 4 inches.

Front

Space occupied by a unit measured from flank to flank.

Distinction

The ability to enunciate correctly.

Projection

The ability to make your voice reach whatever distance desired without strain.

Element

The basic drill unit comprised of no less than 3 persons.

Post

The correct place for an officer, NCO or airman to stand in formation.

Base

The element on which a movement is planned, regulated or aligned.

Head

The leading unit of a column.

Center

The middle point of a formation. On an odd numbered front, it is the center person or element; on an even numbered front it is the person/element to the right of center.

Distance

The space from front to rear between units, between individuals is 40 inches as measured from their chest to the back of the individual directly in front of them.

Supplementary Commands

These commands are given when one unit of an element must do something different from the rest.

Informational Commands

These commands have no preparatory command or command of execution and are not supplementary.

Mass Commands

These commands help develop confidence, self-reliance, assertiveness, and enthusiasm by making the individual recall, give, and execute the proper commands.

Snap

This extra quality demands immediate response, it expresses confidence and decisiveness.

Preparatory Command

This is the 'think about it' command.

Depth

Total space front to rear of a formation. An individual's depth is 12 inches.

Cadence

Uniform step and rhythm in marching; steps marched per minute.

Loudness

The volume used when giving commands.

Gig line

A line formed by the facing of the shirt the buckle edge and the fly of the pants.

E Pluribus Unum

Out of Many, One.

Blind toss

A weapon throw where the thrower is facing the opposite direction of the intended receiver.

High secure

Modified right shoulder arms, the weapon is held at a 90 degree angle to the ground tight and high in the shoulder.

Michael Jackson

An about face executed by moving the left foot forward and slightly to the right of the right foot.