An Cosantóir

tac aide- military drill | 27 MILITARY DRILL Military drill (slang: square bashing) is the training of soldiers in a formation where their movement is controlled by close-order manoeuvring known as drilling or marching. Military drill has been taught since time has been recorded. Its purpose was to train soldiers to fight and operate in close formation to maximise their combat effectiveness. Trained and disciplined troops will have a distinct advantage over untrained/undisciplined troops. The arrival of mechanised warfare made this form of combat redundant, but drilling is taught to recruits to teach them how to work and move as a team, to maintain command and control, to instil discipline and of course for ceremonial parades. Taken from the Defence Forces Manual of Foot Drill, part one: WORDS OF COMMAND A word of command is a definite, distinct order given in the shortest possible form. It is the most direct means by which the superior can make their will known to subordinates. They are designed with a view to training the soldier's mind and body to habits of strict obedience to the will of the leader. When giving a command, the officer or NCO must maintain a correct soldierly bearing and thus be an example to their troops in this respect. Slovenly words of command produce slovenly movements. ELEMENTARY FOOT DRILL All troops must be individually grounded in elementary drill. The training of the recruit as a member of a unit follows. When based on good individual instruction, the training of a unit will progress rapidly. "AIRE!" (ATTENTION) The soldier should be taught to stand at attention as it is the basis of all drill movements. It secures the whole attention of the men to the command- er by requiring- (a) Absolute silence (b) The body steady and alert (c) Readiness to obey instantly the next word of command "SEASAÍG-AR ÁIS!" (STAND AT-EASE) When a recruit/soldier falls in, they will stand at ease after dressing off. "AR-SOCRACHT!" (STAND-EASY) The limbs, head and body, but not the feet, may be moved, so that the dressing is not lost. Slouching attitudes are not permitted. Faults must never be overlooked. Slovenly drill is worse than useless, it is the quality of the drill and not the length of time spent on it that matters. In correcting or checking faults the name of the soldier will not be called out. They will be referred to by their position, e.g. "Second soldier from the left, front rank." www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

• Cover