NJROTC Cadet Drill Manual

• The NJROTC Cadet Drill Manual, 1st Edition, was last updated on May 15, 2024.
• The manual's numbers are 0509-LP002-9217
• The manual is designed to provide uniformity and standardization for all NJROTC organizations..

General Drill Information

• The NJROTC Drill Committee conducted a review of all drill to standardize the way drill is conducted for cadets.
• This manual is the primary source document for all NJROTC drill issues at the company and battalion level, including area drill competitions and NJROTC national competition.
• The objectives of drill include moving units, teaching discipline, increasing confidence, and providing weapon handling opportunities.
• Formations build unit cohesion, maintain accountability, provide opportunities for observation, inform cadets, develop leadership, and instill military standards.

Definitions

• Alignment is the dressing of several elements on a straight line.
• Assembly Area is a location for forming units of platoon size or larger
• Arms generally designate the service rifle but can refer to any weapon.
• Base refers to the element on which the direction of movement is regulated.
• Cadence is a rhythmic rate of march at a uniform step.
• Center is the middle element of a formation with an odd number of elements; or the left center element for an even number.
• Ceremony is a formal military formation for a specific occasion.
• Column is a formation with elements placed one behind the other.
• Commander of Troops (COT) is the senior cadet taking part in the ceremony.
• Depth is the space from head to rear of an element or formation, with an individual's depth being 12 inches.
• Distance is the space between elements in the direction of depth.
• In cadet formations, the distance between ranks is 40 inches.
• Double Time is a cadence at 180 steps (36 inches in length) per minute.
• Element refers to an individual, squad, section, platoon, company, or other unit.
• Extended Mass Formation means a unit that is in column at close or normal interval and abreast at a specified interval greater than normal.
• File is a single column of cadets behind another.
• Flank refers to the right or left extremity of a unit and to the direction at a right angle to the direction an element or formation is facing.
• Formation is an arrangement of elements in a line, column, or any other prescribed manner.
• Front refers to the space occupied by an element or a formation, measured from one flank to the other, with an individual's front being 22 inches.
• Guide is the individual (base) upon whom a formation regulates its march.
• Head is the leading element of a column.
• Interval is the lateral space between elements on the same line, measured from shoulder to shoulder
• Normal interval between individuals is one arm's length
• Close interval is the horizontal distance created when the heel of the hand is placed on the hip.
• Left (Right) means the extreme left (right) element or edge of a body of cadets.
• Line is a formation in which the elements are side by side or abreast of each other.
• The Line of March is the path on which individuals or units are to march.
• Line of Troops refers to the line on which cadets are to form in formation.
• Loosened Sling indicates a sling adjusted for the movement sling arms.
• Mass Formation relates to a company or larger element, in column at close interval and abreast at close interval.
• Muffling involves draping colors for mourning with a streamer or black bunting, or muffling the instruments of a band.
• Pace is the length of a full step in Quick Time, which is 30 inches.
• Parade is any ceremony that involves the movement of marching units.
• Parade Sling has all excess slack removed and the keeper adjusted and locked next to the sling tip.
• Piece is an individual firearm such as a rifle.
• Point of Rest is the spot toward which all elements of a unit establish their dress or alignment.
• Quick Time is cadence at 112 to 120 steps (12, 15, or 30 inches in length) per minute
• Rank is a line of cadets placed side by side.
• Review is a type of ceremony that includes an inspection (trooping the line) but omits certain elements found in a parade.
• Rigged means uniforms and equipment are properly fitted out.
• Slow Time is cadence at 60 steps per minute, used for funerals only.
• Snap refers to the quality in commands or signals that inspires immediate response.
• Step is the distance from heel to heel between the feet of a marching individual; the half step and back step measure 15 inches; the right and left steps measure 12 inches; the steps in quick and double time measure 30 and 36 inches, respectively.
• Unit Leader refers to the individual drilling the unit.
• Strong Grip has the thumb wrapped around the front of the staff.
• “V” Grip indicates the staff is placed in the “V” shape formed by the thumb and forefinger.

Instructing Drill

• Follow regulations strictly and have energy, patience, and spirit.
• Observe cadets closely, immediately correcting mistakes.
• Instructing drill movements uses these acronyms
• PCWC stands for: Purpose, Counts, When, and Commands.
• PFWC stands for: Purpose, Formation, When, and Commands.
• Correct a movement, the individual or unit should repeat the movement properly.
• The leader explains and demonstrates each new movement before execution by the cadets.

Instruction Groups

• The squad is the basic instruction group with smaller size facilitates individual instruction.

Commands and the Command Voice

• Types of command: preparatory, execution, combined, and supplementary.
• Preparatory command indicates a movement is to be made and may indicate the direction of the movement.
• Command of execution causes the desired movement to be executed.
• Combined command combines both preparatory command and the command of execution.
• Supplementary commands cause the component units to act individually.
• When giving commands, commanders face their cadets.
• Commanders march backward when commanding marching cadets from the head of a column or massed formations.
• Unit commanders repeat all preparatory commands, give the proper new command, or a warning.
• Commands may be given with loudness, posture, breathing, and speaking to be heard by all
• The voice enables one to be heard at maximum range without undue strain focusing their voices on the most distant individuals
• Consonants and word endings are curt and sharply cut off.

General rules for drill.

• Certain drill movements may be made toward the other flank which will need to substitute with “left” or “right”
• "AS YOU WERE" cancels a change
• Alignment is maintained toward the right, except when stated.
• In a column of platoons, the guide of the leading platoon controls direction and distance, and maintains the cadence counted by the commander.
• Adding “Half” to the preparatory command for turning or column movements changes direction 45 degrees.
• At the command “INCLINE TO THE RIGHT(LEFT),” guides change their direction of march slightly to the right (left).
• The movement is made as soon as possible after the command of execution
• If cadets are marching the command is given to their foot strike
• The cadence of commands should be that of Quick Time, even though no marching follows.
• The best pause for a squad or platoon while marching is one count or step between the two commands
• “BY THE NUMBERS” precedes the preparatory command and all movements until “WITHOUT NUMBERS” is given.

Mass commands.

• The initial command is “At Your Command.”
• Marching movements may be conducted in a similar manner as follows: “ALL MOVEMENTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WILL BE AT YOUR COMMAND.”
• “Call the Platoon to Attention, COMMAND.”
• To return to normal drill methods, the instructor orders “At My Command."

Counting Cadence.

• Counting cadence by cadets in ranks teaches coordinating cadence and rhythm.
• The command is “Count Cadence, COUNT,” or “Delayed Cadence, COUNT.”

Advanced Drill procedures.

• Cadence/Speed Drill is a form of drill used with cadets who have learned basic drill.
• Trick/ Exhibition drill is a form of drill used with only cadets who have all prescribed drill
• It requires complex and extensive training

Symbols Used in this Manual

• Reviewing Officer: A black triangle pointing upwards with a line as the base
• Battalion Commander: A black circle with a forward slash mark
• Commander of Troops: Resembles an atom
• Adjutant: A white circle
• Company Commander: Black circle
• Company XO: Black circle with a horizontal line in the middle
• Platoon Commander: Circle with a vertical line in the middle

Positions

• Attention; the basic military position from which most other drill movements are executed.
• When halted, at any position of rest, or while marching at route step or at ease is possible

Four positions of rest for halted cadets

• Parade Rest
• At Ease
• Rest
• Fall Out
• When given at parade rest, come to attention
• When given at ease or rest, assume the position of parade rest if the commands are “Squad”, then “Attention'

Right (Left) Eyes

• Purposes to show courtesy to reviewers during such events
• Head turning to the left or turning to right with body
• When not at halt marching, the command of execution is given as the left foot strikes the deck

Facing movement

• Purpose is face unit to the right, left, or about
• Performed when halted and at attention in movement of two counts
• Facing arm does not swing from their side
• About, FACE;
  • shifts weight to the left leg to prepare move to be used
  • Weight is rest evenly on the ball with heel to count
  • Turn smartly until facing rear
• Hand Salute -Purpose: To show mutual respect and courtesies -When halted at attention, marching quick, seated on a vehicle -Given by the commander

Uncover

• A non-precision explained to clarify actions and movements

Cover

• Place your right hand on the visor of the cover (under your left arm), grasping it with the fingers on top and the thumb underneath, and place it on your head, guiding it with your left hand, which is placed on the rear of the expandable frame, grasping the frame with fingers together and thumb underneath.

Steps and Marching

• The exception of right step, all steps and marching movements beginning with left foot
• The turn is instructed with the foot striking the deck

Quick Time

• The purpose is to take 112-120 steps per minute normally 30 inches
• To march foreward it must be attention, marking time, marching foreward either double or at half step
• When halted the march foreward at is, "Foreward, MARCH."
• Step off smartly, left foot first, and march straight ahead with 30-inch steps
• Swing arms naturally, 6 inches straight to the front and 3 to the rear

Double Time

• The purpose is 180 steps per minute 36-inch steps
• Given when Halted
• When Step is take it left foot and an easy run; the forearms are raised until parallel with the deck and make fists of your hands
• When Given with Quick Time
• When command is "MARCH" given take quicks steps
• When Marching in Place
• when Command is "MARCH" given take one step in double time

Halt

• Is stop movement of marching
• Quick Time step, half step or Time
• Command is HALT always command by unit for example 'Squad'
• Marching with Right (Left) the commands “HALT” is given when the heels are together
• Takes heel back
• While Backward Marching
• Take forward heel back the others
• While Harching at Mark time
  • Take one's more in same position
• While marching at, "In Place Double Time "
• Take place before time then at, "Quick Time"
• Bring Heels together

Mark Time Cadence.

• Used when halt is 112-120- per minute
• When Halted
• Command is mark time
• When Marching at Quick Time
• On the command “MARCH,” take one more 30-inch step as if coming to a halt
• Bringing Heels together
• When 44arching Double Time in Space
• Commence marching in space

Half Step

• March speed
• Halted while marching either at Attention or march
• Will when marcher given the speed

Sides Steps

• Quick time pace move short space at to the right or left
• Move sides the left to be next then to right foot
• Back Space
• For unit marching at to rear or short space
• Will be at quick time

To Face To right or left in Marching

• Important following
• Turn 90 grade the pivoting heel and stepping of 30 inch
• Given take step in "March" the original space

To March to The Frame

• Used the movement to march short the When at time you may execute is: Either quick or double the time
• Take step forward on step and quick
• 15 inches of parting

Sword Information

• The sword a symbol is authority
• It return with dress uniform in 1954 for commission
• The Knights in Medivals times the with there life and the pledged there honor of the sword
• the hand to the mouth is symbol for kissing it
• The is serious reach the drop it if happen

Nomenclature

• Carries is in a Scabbard to sheath to blade
• Attaches as slings

When Formation With swords

• Commanders perform by drawl and return in form with team drilling
• Drawl leader unit
• When leader to return before expect
• Always in it scabbard of if not

To draw sword.

• The command is Drawl Sword
• Grip below the uppering
• Turn the scab clockwise is be angle Tilt foreword step to step
• Then command on the angle direction
• Pause is by one count

Sword to position

• On , "Present" the high part level 6inches to the forehead
• Wrist of bent
• Inner parts to arm the against back -On "SWORD" the angle back on the the deck to it and position
• Then is front has be true

Order the high the side

The angle back on the sword the same

• Command"Order swords" on the 3 inches the direction .

Sword and Marching

• Commands from March to carry positions the the to command -It the sword ,may the given the has that at swords command to back the sword to There the the, the,The is best is it
• Left right of of command is be has right,Left .

Parade And the commands

Returned and Commands

to returned back to command

• The is that at hand that

Arch

• Sword arch and of in a at in the is that
• There was and all had be with the to it by it is
• The that the back was and at is
• They the of that at part time
• Sword time the to then
• All in is
• It that at or

Manual of arms.

• From the high commands.