Drill is considered as a type of training given to cadets. It was initially invented by Maurice of Nassau to enable his soldiers to efficiently handle their firearms. It has been an important part of the military since ancient times. Earlier it was a useful part during war as it made the soldiers to gather in a formation and can instantly react to the command of the commander. The drill done today is mainly applied to ceremonial functions.
Drill is a crucial part in NCC or anywhere in the armed forces, but why is drill important anyways? What is the aim of drill? We’ll be discussing all of it here.
AIM:- The aim of drill is to inculcate a sense of discipline, smartness, improve bearing, alertness and to develop a quality of immediate response to the orders. It helps in the mass movement of the cadets in an orderly manner from point to point.
There are two types of drills:-
Drill without arms:-
It is the most common and easiest type of drill. It is the most basic drill that a cadet learns in the NCC Training. It can be performed on any occasion or ceremony. These are the steps that take place during the drill without arms:- Side pace, pace forward and to the rear ,Turning on the march and wheeling , Saluting on the march , Marking time, forward march and halt in quick time , Changing step and Formation of squad and squad drill.
Drill with arms:-
This type of drill is a little tricky as it requires a cadet to be good in drill with arms. Arms usually include rifles, so a contingent of cadets has to carry a rifle with them during this drill. These are the steps performed during the drill with arms: – Getting on parade with rifle and dressing at the order, Dismissing and falling out, Gun salute, Salami Shastra, Squad drill, Short/long trail from the order and vice-versa and Examine arms.
There is also a ceremonial drill which requires a cadet to be in full uniform with ceremonials on it. This is performed in front of the chief guest on special occasions like 15th August and 26th January.
BENEFITS OF DRILL:-
- To make self-discipline an important part of a cadet’s life.
- To develop a sense of pride and love for the country.
- Rifles are one of the most respected parts of NCC. A cadet holds a great amount of responsibility while holding a rifle, so it helps in inculcating a sense of responsibility among cadets.
- It helps in improving the alertness of the cadets by how immediate and implicit a cadet responds to the command.
- It also encourages team spirit and togetherness.
WORDS OF COMMAND
Words of command is the order given during a drill. Proper execution of a command is possible only when the command is loud, clear and voice should be high pitched. There are some important factors required for the word of command to be perfect which are:-
- LOUDNESS:- Loudness is important as proper execution of word of command is possible only if heard by everyone in the contingent. With loudness the words should be clear and distinct as well. A commander is placed in the middle so that his command is heard by everyone. For the command to be loud it is preferred that the sound originates from the stomach and not the throat of the commander.
- DISTINCTNESS:- It is important that the command contains distinctness and it can be achieved by the proper use of lips, tongue and teeth to form clear words. Indistinct words may be a barrier in proper execution of word of command. Indistinctness may be due to laziness or may be giving the command too rapidly.
- INFLECTION:- It is the rise and fall of the voice. It is important otherwise the command would be monotonous. A monotonous command would be boring and could not create the impact to the contingent which a command with inflection can. The preparatory command should be in the natural pitch of the commander and the command of execution should be in high pitch.
- SNAP:- Just how snapping fingers create a sharp sound, a command should also be finely sharp and instantaneous. It expresses confidence, alertness and decisiveness.
- TIMING:- Timing of the word of command is necessary. A word of command has two parts:- “Caitionary” and “Executive”. Cautionary command is given as the preparatory command for the cadet to be ready for the executive command which is the actual command to which a cadet has to respond. There should be a gap of 4 paces between a cautionary command and an executive command. The command starts at left foot and ends at right foot.
POSITION AND COMMAND
There are 6 basic positions mandatory to know if you want to be a part of drill.
- ATTENTION:- “SQUAD SAVDHAAN” is the command. The cadet has to be in an attention position, no movements are tolerated in this position. All the movements in a drill are done only after coming in SAVDHAAN. To be in savdhaan following points should be kept in mind:-
- Heels together, feet turned out forming an angle of 30 degrees, knees straight without any stiffness, body erect and resting equaling on hips, chest straight and lifted, shoulders arched square.
- Arms hanging straight down, hands forming a fist with thumb aligning with the line of the trousers.
- Head and eyes should be straight to the front and weight of the body equally rested on the heels and the feet.
- At the savdhaan command, the left foot should be raised 6 inches and placed sharply right beside the right foot such that the heels are in touch with each other and toes of the feet are forming an angle of 30 degrees.
- STAND AT EASE:- “SQUAD VISHRAM” is the command. A cadet can be at ease in this position but still has to be attentive.
- Hands should be behind in such a position where the right hand is over the left with palms facing outwards and thumbs interlocked.
- The distance between both the feet is 12 inches.
- After coming to savdhaan position you have to lift your left foot 6 inches high and away from the right foot such that the distance the feet is 12 inches and simultaneously move your hands to the behind in vishram position.
- STAND EASY:- “ARAM SE” is the command. It means to relax in whatever position you currently are in. without moving the feet relax the limbs, body and head. Talking, turning and other activities are strictly prohibited.
- TURNING:- “DAHINE MUR” or “BAAYE MUR” is the command to turn right and left respectively. For “Dahine Mur” turn 90 degrees towards the right side on the right heel and left toe. Now lift the left leg 6 inches high and stamp it right beside the right foot in savdhaan position. Hands will be the same as were in the savdhaan position without any movement. For “Baaye Mur” the same procedure is followed with interchanging the roles of the left and right foot in the “Dahine Mur” position.
- ABOUT TURN:- “PICHE MUR” is the command. Turn 180 degrees from the right side on the right heel and left foot. Then raise the left foot six inches high and put it beside the right heel in savdhaan position.
- INCLINING:- “ADHA DAHINE” or “ADHA BAYE” is the command where the cadet has to turn just 45 degrees to the right or left according to the command.
“Jai Hind “
