Army Drill Commands

More in-depth explanations may be found by reading something similar to the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual (MCDC) used by the Navy and Marines or Air Force Manual (AFMAN) or a Drill and Ceremonies Manual. Different branches of the Armed Forces have some difference in drill commands, or may not have a drill command that other branches use.

* "Fall in" - Individuals form a formation at the position of attention.
* "Fall out" - Individuals drop out of formation. By custom, officers usually take a single step backward with their left foot. Non-commissioned personnel take a step back with the left foot, then with their right, and then perform an about face.
* "[formation], ATTENTION" - Individuals snap to the position in which they are standing straight, looking forward, and not moving. When called while in "Forward March" the formation will begin to march in cadence.The command "Route Step (forward),March" is given when there is no need to stay in step.

"Drill and Ceremony: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FM 3-21.5 (FM 22-5)" contains most of the US Army and US Air Force drill commands, mostly different from the USMC's and the Navy's.

* "Present, ARMS" - Individuals execute a hand or rifle salute and hold it until given the command "order arms"
* "Order, ARMS" - Individuals bring their hand or rifle back down to their side.
* "Open ranks, MARCH" - Movement in which each row (rank) spreads out from another row.
* "Close ranks, MARCH" - Movement in which the formation is restored to its normal interval.
* "Dress right, DRESS" - Movement in which individuals except those on the extreme left side raise their left arms parallel to the ground and lock their heads to the far right in order to get the proper distance from each other. This is maintained until the command: "Ready, FRONT." At which point, the individuals return to the position of attention.
* "Parade, REST" - Individuals spread their feet about 12 inches while bringing both of their arms behind their back interlocking their hands. The back of the left hand rests against the back. The back of the right hand rests on the palm of the left, with the left thumb locked over the right hand and the right thumb locked over the left thumb. If armed, individuals put their left hand behind their back, extending their rifle while the butt remains on the ground by their right foot.
* "Stand at, ease" - Individuals perform the command of parade rest, but their eyes and head follow the person in charge.
* "At ease" - Individuals are permitted light movement given their right foot does not leave the ground; they are not allowed to talk.
* "Rest" - Individuals are permitted light movement and may also engage in quiet conversation as long as their right leg is planted on the ground. Can also be expressed by the command "Relax"
* "Forward, MARCH" - Individuals begin marching, from the left foot and a 30-inch step (Army) or 24-inch step (Air Force) at 120 steps per minute.
* "Company/Platoon/Squad/Detail, HALT" or in the Air Force, "Wing/Group/Squadron/Flight, HALT"- Used to stop a unit (formation) from marching by calling it either on the right or left foot.
* "By The Right Flank, MARCH" - The whole formation turns 90 degrees and continues to march.
* "Right, FACE" - A command given from a halt towards a formation to turn 90 degrees to the right or left as one unit
* "About, FACE" - A turn 180 degrees facing the opposite direction, executed to the right.
* "Uncover, TWO" - All persons using the right hand grab their cover on "Recover" and remove the cover on "TWO". (Not used in the Marine Corps.)
* "COVER" - Used to align to the person in front of them in formation, when used after the command "Uncover, TWO", all persons replace their cover and remain holding their cap with their right hand until "TWO" is given where they return to the position of attention.
* "Right (left) step, MARCH" - Individuals take side steps to the right (left).
* "Column Half Right(Called on the right foot), MARCH" - A 45-degree pivot to the right (left) while marching.
* "Right Oblique, MARCH" - Every individual executes a 45-degree pivot to the right while marching.
* "Column right (called on the right foot), MARCH" - A movement in which the entire formation executes a series of turns depending on their position. The goal of this movement is to get the entire formation to turn to the right (left) while keeping the same people in the same positions known as column formation.
* "Rear, MARCH" - A turn 180 degrees while marching, also executed to the right.
* "Change step, MARCH" - Individuals execute a movement in order to get on step with the formation.
* "Route step" - Individuals walk normally without being in step. Often used on long marches or when crossing a bridge to avoid creating harmonic rhythms.
* "Extend to the left, MARCH" - A movement in which the formation widens [Usually used during PT]. "Extend Rank, MARCH" in the Marine Corps.
* "Close Ranks, MARCH" - A movement in which the formation narrows in width.
* "Mark time, MARCH" - Marching in place.
* "Half step, MARCH" - Marching at half the distance, often bringing the upper leg parallel to the ground. 15-inch Steps.
* "Double time, MARCH" - Marching at twice the cadence of "Forward March;" 100 to 180 steps per min. something of a light jog. The unit is still required to keep in step.
* "Right shoulder, ARMS" - The rifle is placed on the right shoulder. The right hand holds the butt of the rifle and the forearm is parallel to the ground, also keeping a 90-degree angle between the forearm and arm.
* "Left shoulder, ARMS" - Same as right shoulder arms except on the left side.
* "Port, ARMS" - The rifle is carried diagonally in front of the body by both hands.
* "Counter-column, MARCH" - The platoon is ordered to reverse direction while marching. The columns neatly turn in on themselves and at the end of the movement the entire marching column has reversed direction. Also known as "circle counter", or "counter march".
* "Route step, MARCH" - The formation is not required to march in step, but are required to stay aligned.