Squadron Drill and Ceremonies... and you !

Squadron Drill and Ceremonies...and you! Cadet Joshua Pravel OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL

Overview • BEGINNING WITH THE BASICS • DISTANCE AND INTERVAL • SQUADRON MOVEMENTS

Beginning with the basics... What is a squadron? • A squadron is made up of two or more flights. What squadron formations exist? • Line • Mass • Column What does the flight commander do? • Repeat preparatory command (unless in mass)

Beginning with the basics... cont. CONTINUE THE MARCH • Used when a command does not apply to entire squadron until a later time • EXAMPLE: The squadron commander calls Column Right, MARCH. the leading flight commander (A) relays Column Right while B Flight commander relays CONTINUE THE MARCH until he arrives at the proper turning point. • Similar to Column of Files

Beginning with the basics... Cont. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DIFFERENT FORMATIONS?

Beginning with the basics... cont. Flight movement restrictions apply • In order to perform column movements, the squadron must be in column

Obtaining Correct Distance and Interval DISTANCE BETWEEN SQUADRONS • Flights must maintain a distance of 3 paces in line and column formation. • Distance is measure between the flight sergeant and the guide. • Flight Commanders stand 6 paces from their flight in squadron formation.

Obtaining Correct Distance and Interval CLOSE ON LEADING FLIGHT • Used to obtain the correct distance to other flights in column formation • Upon command leading flight commander orders flight to take up the half step • Upon obtaining correct distance each flight takes up the half step • Squadron Commander orders Forward, MARCH

Obtaining Correct Distance and Interval Cont. DRESS FLIGHTS TO THE RIGHT • Leading Flight Commander faces about and give Dress Right, DRESS • Other flight commanders dress flights as soon as preceding flight commander halts and faces down line at the first element TO ALIGN SQUADRON IN MASS AT HALT • Squadron Commander gives At Close Interval, Dress Right, DRESS • Base flight commander promptly verifies alignment of ranks • Upon flight commander's completion, the Squadron Commander gives Ready, FRONT and COVER

Squadron Movement MASSING THE SQUADRON WHEN IN COLUMN AT CLOSE INTERVAL • To get your squadron in mass while halted, give the command Squadron Mass Left, MARCH. • The Leading flight commander will give STAND FAST while each succeeding commander gives Column Half Left, MARCH. Both are stated during the preparatory command. • Upon proper alginment, the flight commander(s) give(s) Column Half Right, MARCH to reach the correct interval (4 inches) behind the flight they were behind and halts.

Squadron Movement Cont. CHANGING DIRECTION WHEN IN MASS FORMATION • The Squadron Commander Commands Right (Left) Turn, MARCH • The right flank guide is the center of the movement. • One the command MARCH the individual takes one step before pivoting and (just like a column right, MARCH) takes up the half step after in position • When all flights are at half steps, the Squadron Commander gives Forward, MARCH • Dress is given to the left when making left turns until Forward, MARCH is given • The Squadron Commander march backward until the turn has been completed

Squadron Movement Cont. COLUMN OF FLIGHTS FROM SQUADRON MASS FORMATION • The Squadron Commander gives the command Column of Flights, Right Flight, Forward, MARCH • On the preparatory command the right flight commander gives Forward while the other commanders give STAND FAST • The Commanders give column movements to maintain interval back in column formation EXAMPLE • This is exactly like column of files only on the squadron level.

Squadron Movement Cont.

Squadron Movement Cont. COLUMN OF FLIGHTS WHILE ON THE MARCH • The Squadron Commander gives the same commands as before but double time is given instead of forward. • The right Flight Commander gives double time march and the other Flight Commanders give CONTINUE THE MARCH. At the appropriate time the other flight commanders give INCLINE TO THE RIGHT(Left) to bring flights into column.

Review How do you get from the formation on the left to the one on the right?

Questions?

Squadron Drill and Ceremonies... and you !