The Drill Pad
Air Force Drill


Forming a Single File or Multiple Files

These are not precise movements, but they are practiced in drill so, when necessary, the movements can be executed smoothly and without delay. These movements are executed only from the halt.

Column of Files
Requirements: Halted at Attention;
in Column Formation; at Normal or Close Interval; in the Cadence of Quick Time

To form a single file when in a column of two or more elements, the command is Column of Files From the Right (Left), Forward, MARCH. On the preparatory command, the guide takes a position in front of the file that will move first.

The element leader of the right (left) element turns his or her head 45 degrees to the right (left) and commands Forward. At the same time, the remaining element leaders turn their heads 45 degrees to the right (left) and comForming a File From a Column of Twosmand STAND FAST. Their heads are kept to the right (left) until they step off.

On the command MARCH, the extreme right (left) element steps off. The element leader of each remaining element commands Forward, MARCH as the last airman in each element passes, ensuring the leaders element is in step with the preceding element. All elements then incline to the right (left), following the leading elements in successive order



Column of Files, Column Right (Left)
Requirements: Halted at Attention;
in Column Formation; at Normal or Close Interval; in the Cadence of Quick Time

In conjunction with forming single files, column movements may be executed at the same time. The command is Column of Files From the Right (Left), Column Right (Left), MARCH. On the preparatory command, the guide executing a face in marching takes a position in front of the file that will move first.

The element leader of the right (left) element commands Column Right (Left). The remaining element leaders command STAND FAST. On the command MARCH, the element leader and guide execute a face in marching to the right (left), and the element leader continues
marching in the new direction with 24-inch steps.

The guide marches to a position ahead of the element leader, then pivots 45 degrees to a position 40 inches in front of the element leader. The remaining individuals in the base file march forward on the command of execution, pivot in approximately the same location as their element leader, and maintain a 40-inch distance.

The element leaders of the remaining elements command Column Right (Left), MARCH, at which time all airmen perform the movement in the same manner as the base element. The element leaders follow the leading elements in successive order.

NOTE: The commands Column of Files From the Left, Column Right, MARCH and Column of Files From the Right, Column Left, MARCH are not given.



Column of Twos (Threes or Fours) From a Single File (Multiple Elements)

To form a column of two or more files when in a single file of more than one element, the command is Column of Twos (Threes or Fours) to the Left (Right), MARCH. On the preparatory command, the leading element leader turns his or her head 45 degrees to the right (left) and commands STAND FAST. At the same time, the remaining element leaders turn their heads 45 degrees to the right (left) and command Column Half Left (Right).

On the command MARCH, the leading element stands fast, and the element leader returns his or her head back to the front. The remaining element leaders turn their heads back to the front and step off, executing a column half left (right) simultaneously, and incline and form to the left (right) of the leading element. The remaining members of each element march to the approximate pivot point established by the element leaders and perform the movement in the same manner as the element leaders.

Each element is halted by its element leader turning his or her head 45 degrees to the left (right) and commanding the element to halt so his or her element is abreast of, and even with, the
leading element (figure 4.9).



Forming a Column of Twos From a Single File

When at a halt and in column, the command is Column of Twos From the Left (Right), MARCH. On the command MARCH, theForming a Column of Twos From a File leader stands fast. The airman who is the center of the element (when in line) performs a half left (right) in marching, takes one 24-inch step, performs a half right (left) in marching, and moves up until abreast of, and at normal interval from, the leading individual of the original element. To halt, the leading individual of the new element turns his or her head 45 degrees to the left (right) and commands the element to halt. All airmen execute the pivot in approximately the same location, and all individuals who are required to move do so at the same time.




Forming a Column of Twos From a Column of Fours and Reforming
Requirements: Halted at Attention;
in Column Formation; at Normal or Close Interval; in the Cadence of Quick Time

This is not a precise movement, but it is practiced in drill so, when necessary, the movement can be executed smoothly and without delay. These movements are executed only from a halt.

To form a column of twos when in a column of fours at a halt, the command is Column of Twos From the Right (Left), Forward, MARCH. On the preparatory command, the fourth (second) element leader turns his or her head 45 degrees to the right (left) and commands Forward; the second (fourth) element leader turns his or her head 45 degrees right (left) and commands STAND FAST.

Each keeps his or her head to the right (left) until his or her element steps off. On the command MARCH, the designated elements Column of Twos From a Column of Foursstep off immediately. As the last airmen in the designated lead
elements pass and on the command Forward, MARCH (given by the second (fourth) element leader), the two remaining elements step off in step and incline in behind the two leading elements.

The distance between elements is three paces. When performing this movement from the left, the guide will immediately post in front of the second element on the preparatory command.



Column of Twos From a Column of Fours

To form a column of fours when in a column of twos at a halt, the command is Column of Fours to the Left (Right), MARCH. On the preparatory command, the fourth (second) element leader turns his or her head 45 degrees to the left (right) and commands STAND FAST; the second (fourth) element leader turns his or her head 45 degrees to the left (right) and commands Column Half Left (Right).

Column of Fours From a Column of TwosOn the command MARCH, the element leaders return their heads to the front, the leading elements stand fast, and the remaining elements step off and execute a column half left (right) and incline to form to the left (right) of the leading elements.

As the trailing elements approach the head of the leading elements, the second (fourth) element leader turns his or her head 45 degrees to the left (right) and commands Elements, HALT so the leading individual of each element is approximately even with all others. Once the elements halt, each element leader returns his or her
head to the front.

Flight/Platoon Drill