The Drill Pad
Instructional Resource Library



U Formation

STEP I: Platoon, ATTENTION. AT EASE.

1. The next formation, which I will name, explain, and which you will conduct practical work on is the U-formation.

2. This formation is used to form the platoon for stationary drill instructions.

3. The commands for this formation are First and second squads, FALL OUT, U-formation, FALL IN.

4. First and second squads, FALL OUT, U-formation, FALL IN are two part commands. First and second squads, and U-formation as the preparatory commands, and FALL OUT and FALL IN the command of execution.

5. When said in their entirety, they sound as follows: First and second squads, FALL OUT, U-formation, FALL IN.

STEP II: Platoon, ATTENTION.

6. I will use the talk-through method of instruction to teach this formation.

7. On the command of execution FALL OUT, of First and second squads, FALL OUT (PAUSE): U-formation, FALL IN. The following actions will happen simultaneously. The third squad stands fast, the first squad and second squads fall out and fall in facing each other so that the last man in the first squad and the squad leader of the second squad are one step in front of and one step outside the flanks of the third squad. The fourth squad executes one step to the left.

8. The commands to reform the platoon to a line formation are FALL OUT (PAUSE): FALL IN.

9. On the command FALL OUT, all squad members of the platoon will remain in the immediate area.

10. On the command FALL IN, all members of the platoon will fall in a line formation

STEP III: Platoon, ATTENTION.

11. At normal cadence: First and second squads, FALL OUT. U-formation, FALL IN. FALL OUT. FALL IN. AT EASE.

12. What are your questions pertaining to this stretch with or without the talk-through method of instruction?