DRILLS AND CEREMONIES

General:

The commands were derived from the English language but are given in the
Filipino language. To provide from uniformity, simplicity and preciseness and to suit the
Filipino commands in terms of voice control, distinctiveness, inflections and cadence,
the following guidelines are set forth as a rule.
In general, the word “NA” is used to signal the command of execution except for
the following:

(a) TA – (Abbreviated SANDATA) manual for arms for rifles and pistol, except for
KALIS and TALIBONG, which fall under the general rule.
(b) KAD – (Abbreviated LAKAD) from at rest to motion. For commands given
while in motion, the general rule will apply.
(c) TO – (Abbreviated HINTO) from motion to rest.
(d) RAP – (Abbreviated HARAP) in HANDA HARAP as Literal Translation of
READY Front.
(e) DA – (Abbreviated HUMANDA) for Attention.
(f) NGA – (Abbreviated PAHINGA) in TIKAS PAHINGA or PARADE REST.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

ALIGNMENT – A straight line upon which several elements or team are formed
or the dressing of several elements upon a straight line. Unit is aligned when it is
dressed.

BASE – The element on which the movement is regulated. For instance, in

executing right front into line, the leading squad is the base.

CADENCE – The uniform rhythm by which a movement is executed or the

number of steps or counts per minute of which a movement is executed. Drill
movements are normally executed at the cadence of quick time or double time.

CENTER – The middle point or element of a command. In a flight of three

squads in line, the second squad from the right is the center.

COLUMN – A formation in which the element of a command. In a platoon of

three squads in line, the second squad from the right is the center.

DEPTH – The space from front to rear or any formation or of a position, including
the front and rear elements.

DISTANCE – The space between the elements when the elements are one
behind another. Between individuals it is an arm’s length to the front plus six inches or
about 40 inches, measured from the chest of one man to the back of the man
immediately to his front.

DOUBLE TIME – cadence at a rate of 180 steps per minute.

ECHELON – one of a series of elements formed one behind another. Also a

modification of line formation in which adjacent elements are disposed one in the rear of
the other.

ELEMENT – an individual, squad, flight, squadron or larger body forming part of

a larger body.
 FILE – two men, the front-rank man and the corresponding man of the rear rank.
The front-rank man is the file leader. A file which had no rear rank man is a “blank file”.

FLANK – the right or left extremity or a unit, either in line or column. The
element on the extreme right or left of the line. A direction at a right angle to the
direction, on an element or a formation is facing.

FORMATIONAL – arrangement of the elements of a unit in line, in column or any

other prescribed manner.

FRONT – the direction in which a command faces.

FRONTAGE – the space occupied by an element measure from one flank to the
opposite flank. The frontage of a man is assumed to be 22 inches, measured from right
to the left elbow and therefore does not include the 12 inches between all me in line.
The frontage of a squad however includes the intervals between the men.

GUIDE – the man whom the command or element thereof regulated its march.
This is often the case in battle or practice marches. In squad drill, a airman (number 1
front rank) is often the guide.

HEAD – the leading element of a column. To understand this definition one must
remember that an element is a file, squad, flight, squadron or larger body forming part of
a still larger body.

INTERVAL – the lateral space between elements in the same line. An interval is
measured between formations; this is done from flank to flank. Close interval is the
horizontal distance between shoulder and elbow when the left hand is placed on the left
hip.

LEFT – the left extremity or element of a body of troops.

LINE – a formation in which the different element are abreast. The expression
“abreast of each other” means on the same line. The other vital part of this definition
centers on the word “element”. A section may be an element, therefore if the leading
elements of several sections are on the same line, it becomes a line formation.

OBLIQUE – an angle between 0 and 45 degrees. Right/Left Oblique March is 45

degrees.

ORDER, CLOSE – the formation in which the units, in double rank, are
separated by intervals greater than that in close order.

PACE – thirty (30) inches, the length of the full step in quick time. The pace at
double time is thirty-six (36) inches.

PIECE – the term piece means the rifle or automatic rifle.

POINT OF THE REST – the point at which a formation begins, specifically, the
point toward which units are aligned in successive movements.

QUICK TIME – cadence at the rate of 120 steps per minute.

RANK – a line of men place side by side. There are two ranks, the front and the
rear rank.
RIGHT – the right extremity or element of a body of troops.
 SLOW TIME – cadence at 60 steps per minute.

STEP – the distance measured from heel between the feet of a man walking. A
step may be any prescribed number of inches. The half step and back step are 15
inches; the right step and left step are 12 inches. The steps in quick time and double
time are 30 and 36 inches, respectively.

SUCCESSIVE MOVEMENT – a maneuver in which the various elements of the

command execute a certain movement one after another as distinguished from a
simultaneous movement.

TO REVOKE A COMMAND – to cancel a command that has not been carried

out, or to stop a movement improperly begun from halt, the command MANUMBALIK is
given. On this command, the movement stops and the men resume their former
positions.

PARTIAL CHANGES OF DIRECTION – to change the direction of a column by

45 degrees to the left or right, the command is LIKO HATING-KANAN (KALIWA), KAD.
To execute a slight change of direction, the command PAGAWING KANAN (KALIWA),
is given. The guide or guiding elements move/s in the indicated direction, and the rest
of the unit follows.

NUMBERING UNIT – for drill purposes, flights within each Group are numbered
form right to left when the Group is in line and from front to rear when the Group is in
column.

POST – means the correct place for an officer or non-commissioned officer to

stand. This can be in front, behind or by the side of the unit. When changes of
formation involve changes of posts the new post is take by the most direct route and as
soon as practicable after the command of execution.

COMMANDS

a. General – a command is an oral order by a leader of commander. A drill

command is the order issued orally in the drill field by a leader, commander or any
person assigned to give the command.

b. The command has two parts:

(1) Preparatory Command – that part of the drill command which alerts the
troops or subordinates and prepares them for the movement they are going to execute.

(2) The command of execution – that part of the order which tells the troops to
do or execute the movement.

VOICE CONTROL

a. Loudness – a command should be loud enough to be heard and understood

by all receiving or executing the command.

b. Volume – volume is best attained by good posture of the body, ease, proper
breathing and correct timing in giving the commands. Forcing words out of the throat
and mouth results in strain, hoarseness, sore throat, and indistinct commands

c. Diaphragm – use the diaphragm in giving commands.

 d. Distinctiveness – distinct commands should be given to ensure correct
execution. To ensure a distinct command, pronounce and enunciate words correctly.
Pronunciation and enunciation depend.

e. Cadence – in cadence, there are two important things to know. The uniform
and timed flow of words in giving the commands is called cadence in commands; and
the correct timing of the steps in marching is called cadence in marching.

POSITION OF ATTENTION

a. Heels on the same line as close to each other as possible.

b. Feet turned out equally, forming an angel of approximately 45 degrees.
c. Knees straight without stiffness.
d. Hips level, body erect, shoulders clipped to the back and square to the front.
Stomach in.
e. Arms hanging naturally along the sides without stiffness, back of the hands
out, thumbs along the seams of the trousers and the fingers held naturally.
f. Head erect and eyes straight to the front. Chin drawn in so that the axis of the
head and neck is vertical.
g. Weight of the body rests equally on both legs.
h. Remain silent and do not move unless otherwise directed.

FACING AT A HALT

Facings at the halt are executed in quick time.

a. FACE OF THE FLANK – the command is RIGHT (left), FACE. This is a 2-

count movement.

b. FACE TO REAR – this is ABOUT FACE. This is a 2-count movement. At the

command FACE, move the two of your foot to a position touching the ground one-half
the length of your foot to the rear and slightly to the left of your left heel.

HAND SALUTE AND EYES RIGHT (PUGAY KAMAY: HANDA KANAN TINGIN)

a. The command to execute the salute is: “PUGAY KAMAY, NA” and “PUGAY
NA.” The salute is executed in two counts when the command is “PUGAY, NA.” The
first count is to raise the right hand smartly until the tip of the index finger touches the
lower part of the head dress or forehead slightly to the right eyebrow. Hold the upper
arm horizontal with the lower arm inclined 45 degrees, with the hand and wrist straight,
thumb and fingers extended and joined and palm facing downward. The second count
is to bring the right arm back to the side.

b. When the command is “PUGAY KAMAY, NA” the salute is held until the
command “BABA KAMAY, NA” is given.

EYES RIGHT is a 12-count movement. On the command, RIGHT, turn your

head and eyes smartly to the right at an angle of 45 degrees, keeping your shoulders
parallel to the front. On the command FRONT OF READY, FRONT, turn your head and
eyes smartly to the front.