MILITARY DRILLS AND CEREMONIES

LESSON 5
I. DEFINITION AND TERMS
Military Drills
• Consists of a series of movements by which movement by which a unit or individual are moved in an orderly,
uniform manner from one formation to another.
• It is a practice mostly used in military ceremonies to instill pride and discipline during military training.
• preparation of soldiers for performance of their duties in peace and war through the practice and rehearsal of
prescribed movements.
Drill Terms
Element – an individual, section, or squad formed as part of the next higher unit.
Formation – arrangement of unit’s element in a prescribed manner such as line formation.
Guide – the person responsible for maintaining the prescribed direction and rate of march.
Cadence – uniform rhythm or number of steps or counts per minute.
Quick Time – cadence of 120 counts (step per minute)
Double Time – cadence of 180 counts (steps per minute)
Other Terms
Tilap – Squad Talupad – Battalion Sampanaw - Brigade
Pulutong – Platoon Balangay – Company
II. COMMANDS
• A drill command is an oral order of a leader. The following rules shall govern for a commander in giving a
command:
o When at halt, the commander faces the troops when giving a command.
o When marching, the commander turn his head in the direction of the troops upon giving a command.
• MANUMBALIK (As you were) – to revoke a preparatory command that he has given.
Two Parts of Command:PASULONG (Preparatory), KAD (Command of Execution)
o Preparatory Command
o Command of Execution
 Na - In general, the word NA is used to signal the command of execution except the following:
• Kad - (Abbreviated LAKAD) from at rest to motion. Example: PASULONG, KAD.
• To - (Abbreviated HINTO) from motion to rest.
• Rap - (Abbreviated HARAP) in HANDA HARAP as literal translation of READY FRONT.
• Ta - (Abbreviated SANDATA) manual of arms for rifles and pistol, except for KALIS and TALIBONG,
which fall under the general rule.
• Nga - ( Abbreviated PAHINGA) in “TIKAS PAHINGA” or PARADE REST
• Da - (Abbreviated HUMANDA) for attention.
• To change the direction of the platoon when marching: (TO MARCH BY THE FLANK)
KANANG PANIG –right flank- (Preparatory), KAD (Command of Execution)
KALIWANG PANIG – left flank- (Preparatory), KAD (Command of Execution)
*is given as the left or right foot strikes the marching surface.
COMBINED COMMANDS
- In some commands, the preparatory command and the command of execution are combined; for example,
HUMANAY (FALL IN), PALUWAG (AT EASE), LUMANSAG (DISMISS). These commands are given
without inflection and at a uniformly high pitch and loudness comparable to that for a normal command of
execution.
SUPPLEMENTARY COMMANDS
- Supplementary commands are oral orders given by a subordinate leader to reinforce and complement a
commander’s order. Example: the platoon is in column formation, and the platoon leader commands
DALAWANG TUDLING SUNUDSUNURAN MULA SA KALIWA (pause), the first and second TUDLING
leaders command PASULONG; the third and fourth TUDLING leaders command MANATILI (Stand fast).
On the command of the execution KAD, the first and second squad march forward.
- Supplementary commands are not given by a sub-leader for the combined commands HUMANAY,
PALUWAG, TIWALAG, or for a mass drill when his element forms part of a massed formation. However,
supplementary commands are given when forming a mass or when forming a column from a mass. When the
preparatory command is BALANGAY, the platoon leaders immediately come to attention and command
PULUTONG. The company commander allows for all supplementary commands before giving the command
of execution.
DIRECTIVES - Directives are oral orders given by the commander that direct or cause a subordinate leader to
take action. “PAMUNUAN ANG INYONG PANGKAT O TILAP, PULUTONG, BALANGAY” are the only
directive on which commander relinquishes his command and on which salutes are exchanged
III. COMMAND VOICE (Voice of Command)
A correctly delivered command will be understood by everyone in the unit. Correct commands have a tone,
cadence and a snap that demand willing, correct and immediate response
1. Voice Control - The loudness of a command is adjusted to the number of cadets in the unit. It is necessary
for the voice to have carrying power, but excessive exertion is unnecessary and harmful. The best posture for
giving commands is the position of attention. The most important muscle used in breathing is the diaphragm.
2. Distinctiveness - depends on the correct use of the tongue, lips and teeth which form the separate sounds of
a word and group the sounds into syllables. Distinct commands are effective; indistinct commands cause
confusion. All commands can be pronounced correctly without loss of effect. Emphasize correct enunciation
(distinctiveness). To enunciate clearly, make full use of the lips, tongue and lower jaw.
3. Inflection - Inflection is the rise and fall in pitch and the tone changes of voice. Pronounce each preparatory
command with a rising inflection. A good rule to remember is to begin a command near the natural pitch of the
voice. The command of execution is the command that indicates when a movement is to be executed. Give it in
a sharper tone and in a slightly higher pitch than the last syllable of the preparatory command. It must be given
with plenty of snap. The best way to develop a command voice is to practice. In combined commands, such as
HUMANAY (FALL IN) and TIWALAG (FALL OUT), the preparatory command and command of execution
are combined. Give these commands without inflection and with the uniform high pitch and loudness of a
normal command of execution.
4. Cadence - means a uniform and rhythmic flow of words. The interval between commands is uniform in
length for any given troop unit. This is necessary so that everyone in the unit will be able to understand the
preparatory command and will know when to expect the command of execution.
IV. INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENTS WITHOUT ARMS
- Position of Attention
o In coming to attention, bring your heels together smartly on the same line. Hold them as near each other as
the conformation of your body permits.
o Turn you feet out equally, forming an angle of 45 degrees.
o Keep your knees straight without stiffness.
o Hold your hips level, your body erect, your chest lifted and arched, your shoulders square and even.
o Let your arms hang straight down without stiffness, thumbs along the seams of your trousers. Hold the back
of your hands out, with the fingers held naturally so that the thumbs rest along the tip of the forefingers.
o Keep your head erect and squarely to the front, your chin drawn in so that the axis of your head and neck is
vertical. Look straight to the front (about 30 yards ahead.
o Rest the weight of your body equally on the heels and the balls of your feet.
o Remain silent and do not move unless otherwise directed.
- REST POSITION AT THE HALT
o Parade Rest – (PAHINGA, TIKAS PAHINGA) move your left foot smartly 12 inches to the left of the right
foot. Keep your legs straight so that the weight of your body rests on both feet. At the same time, your arms
hanging naturally clasp your hands behind your back, just below the belt line, palms flattened to the rear,
thumb and fingers of your left hands clasping the right hand without stiffness. Remain silent and do not move.
o Stand At Ease – (TINDIG PALUWAG, PALUWAG) On the command of execution PALUWAG, execute
parade rest, but turn the head and eyes directly toward the person in charge of the formation. At ease or rest
may be executed from this position.
o At Ease – (PALUWAG) must remain standing and silent with his right foot in place; he can turn his head left
or right and bring his hand forward.
o Rest – (PAHINGA)On the command PAHINGA, the cadets may move or talk, unless otherwise directed,
with his right foot in place.
o Fall OUT
 TIWALAG - leave the ranks but you are required to remain in the immediate area. You resume your former
place at attention in ranks at the command HUMANAY.
 Being at any of the rests, to resume the position of attention, the commands are TILAP, HUMANDA. At the
command TILAP, take the position of parade rest; at the command HUMANDA, take the position of attention.
- EYES RIGHT(EYES RIGHT/LEFT WHILE MARCHING)
o Used as a courtesy to reviewing officers and dignitaries during parades and ceremonies. The command is
HANDA, TINGIN SA KANAN (KALIWA), NA; HANDA, HARAP.
- FACING AT THE HALT (Harapsakanan, kaliwa, likod, rap)
- HAND SALUTE (PUGAY KAMAY, NA)
o Unarmed - MIDDLE FINGER BARELY TOUCHING THE TIP OF THE EYEBROW, CLIP FINGERS, 45
DEGREE ANGLE, and ARM PARALLEL TO THE GROUND.
- REMOVE/RETURN HEADGEAR (ALIS KUPYA, NA - BALIK KUPYA, NA)
V. STEPS AND MARCHING
- THE 30-INCH STEP (QUICK TIME)
o PASULONG, KAD - To march with a 30-inch step from the halt
o TILAP (PULUTONG), HINTO - To halt while marching
- TO MARCH AT REST
o AT EASE MARCH – (PALUWAG, KAD) the cadet is no longer required to retain cadence; however,
silence and approximate interval and distance are maintained. SIGLANG HAKBANG, KAD and LAYANG
HAKBANG, KAD are the only commands that can be given while marching at ease.
- HALF STEP MARCH (15-inch Step)
o HATING HAKBANG, NA - To march with a 15-inch step from the halt
o PASULONG, NA - To resume marching with a 30-inch step
o While marching at the half step, the only commands that may be given are: PATAKDA, NA; PASULONG,
NA; and HINTO.
- MARCHING IN PLACE
o PATAKDA, KAD - To march in place
o PASULONG, KAD - To resume marching with a 30-inch step
- SIDE STEP (RIGHT/LEFT)
o HAKBANG PAKANAN (PAKALIWA), KAD - To march with a 15-inch step right (left), The command is
given only while at the halt.
o TILAP (PULUTONG), TO - To halt when executing right or left step
- BACK STEP
o PAURONG, KAD - To march with a 15-inch step backward, The command is given only while at the halt.
- DOUBLE TIME MARCH
o TAKBONG HAKBANG, KAD - To march in the cadence of 180 steps per minute with a 30-inch step.
- TO FACE IN MARCHING
o Face to the Right as in Marching - LIKO SA KANAN, NA
o Face to the Left as in Marching - LIKO SA KALIWA, NA
- STAFF BEHIND ME
o KALUPUNAN SUMALIKOD KO, KAD - 9 counts for 2 or 3 men staff, 11 for a 4 men staff, 13 for a 5 men
staff and 15 for a six men.