The purpose of Drill and Ceremony is to form and manoeuvre an element, such as a squad or platoon, from one place to another in an organized, consistent and established manner. This goal is accomplished by the use of appropriate commands and by the command voice.

Drill commands are oral orders. Most drill commands have two parts: the preparatory command and the command of execution. The preparatory command tells what the movement is to be, while the command of execution tells when the movement is to be carried out. The preparatory command includes the unit designation. The command of execution always follows the preparatory command.

As an example, a routine marching order might be, "Platoon, Forward, March." "Platoon" is the unit designation, "Forward" is the preparatory command, and "March" is the command of execution.

Approved two part commands include:

• Present, arms
• Order, arms
• Right shoulder, arms
• Left shoulder, arms
• Right, face
• Left, face
• About, face
• Forward, march
• Open ranks, march
• Close ranks, march
• Rear, march
• Counter column, march
• Route step, march
• Left-step, march
• Right-step, march
• Column left, march
• Column right, march

Each of these commands are defined and explained below.

Sometimes the preparatory command and the command of execution are combined. Examples include: Fall In, At Ease, and Rest. These commands are also defined and explained below.

Drill commands further include a secondary group of Supplementary Commands. These are given when one element, or subset, of the unit executes a movement different from the other elements (not the same preparatory command) or the movement is at a different time (not the same command of execution).

A third group, Informational Commands, have no preparatory command or command of execution and are not Supplementary. Examples are: "Prepare for inspection" or "As you were". They might have a unit designation. Example: "Platoon, listen up."

Drill commands must be clear, clarion, concise, cadenced and consistent, so that every member of the unit can hear, understand and respond appropriately every time.

To understand Drill commands several basic terms must first be clearly understood.

• Cadence: The standardized step and rhythm used when marching in formation, usually measured in steps per minute.
• March step: A step used in cadenced marching that is twenty-four inches long, measured heel to heel.
• Half-step: A step used in cadenced marching that is twelve inches long, measured heel to heel.
• Quick Time: A cadence of 150 steps per minute.
• Double Time: A cadence of 225 steps per minute.
• Element: Each individual (squad, platoon, company, etc.) that is formed up as part of the next larger unit.
• Rank: A single line of soldiers side by side.
• File: A single line of soldiers one behind the other.
• Interval: The space side to side between elements within a rank. In standard marching formations it is thirty inches, measured left shoulder point of the person on the right to the right shoulder point of the person on the left.
• Distance: The lengthwise space between elements within a file. In standard marching formations it is five feet, measured from the back of the person in front to the chest of the person following.
• Formation: The arrangement of elements in a set manner. There are many different types of formations. Some of the most common, and the ones used by platoons, are listed below.
  • Line Formation: Configuration in which the elements are side-by-side.
  • Column Formation: Configuration in which the elements are one behind the other.
  • Muster Formation: A ceremonial or administrative formation to call roll, give briefings, determine accountability of personnel, bestow praise or administer discipline. It can use any established configuration.

Stand with the feet at no more than a forty-five degree angle and no less than a twenty-five degree angle, with heels touching or proximate and even. The legs must be straight, but not stiff, and the carriage should be erect, with the hips and shoulders parallel with the ground. The arms should hang straight down alongside the body, with cupped palms turned toward the leg and the fingertips as close to the side of the leg as armor and clothing permit. The thumb will rest on the first phalange of the index finger. The head and eyes will be looking straight ahead. Silence and immobility are required.

The order to assume an assigned position in a rank or formation and stand at attention.

The preparatory command is "Parade" and the execution is "Rest." On the command of execution "Rest," raise the left foot just high enough to clear the ground, keeping the legs straight, but not stiff. Extend the leg to the left and plant the foot so that the heels are twelve inches to shoulder width apart with the feet forming an angle of approximately twenty-two and one-half degrees off the centerline of the body thereby together forming a forty-five degree angle. At the same time that the foot is swinging out, bring the arms around behind the back and clasp the hands comfortably. Acceptable positions include the back of the right hand lying in the left palm, with the right thumb draped over the left thumb forming an X, and the fingers together and either extended or curved, or the back of the left hand lying in the right palm, with the left thumb draped over the right thumb forming an X and the fingers together and either extended or curved, or a reasonable approximation of the foregoing. The head and eyes will remain straight ahead throughout the movement. Silence and immobility are required.To return to the position of Attention, the preparatory command is "Detail" and the command of execution is "Attention" (pronounced "Ach-TUNG"). On the preparatory command, maintain the position of parade rest. On the command of execution, lift the left leg just enough to clear the ground, keeping the legs straight, but not stiff, and bring the left foot smartly toward the right foot while sliding the arms back to the sides, thereby resuming the position of Attention.

The actual preparatory command of "Stand At" followed by the command of execution, "Ease" is often replaced with the combined command "At Ease". On the command of execution "EASE," whether incorporated into the full command or abbreviated, the soldier shall execute parade rest. He may move; however, he must remain standing with the right foot in place and remain silent. He may continue looking straight ahead, as in the position of Attention, or turn the head and eyes directly toward the person in charge of the formation or to anyone authorized to address the formation. (Stand) At Ease can only be properly called from the position of Attention. In common usage, the command is used to return a formation or subgroup to a higher level of decorum or to silence them. "Rest" may be executed from this position.

There is no preparatory command, and the difference between rest and at ease is that on the command Rest, the soldiers are permitted to talk in moderate tones and look around as they see fit.

The preparatory commands are Present and Order. The command of execution is Arms. On the command of execution Arms or Present Arms, the soldier shall bend his right elbow, raising his right hand to a ninety degree angle along the side of and perpendicular to his body, at the same time clenching his hand into a fist. He shall then bring his arm across his chest, raising his hand so that his forearm is at a forty-five degree angle from elbow to shoulder. He shall then firmly place his fist on his left chest against the pectoral muscle immediately below the clavicle. Order Arms- On the command of execution Arms, the soldier shall bring his arm smartly downward as close as possible to, but not touching, the front of his body, unclenching his fist as it travels downward and returning to the position of Attention.

The basic weapon of the Caldornean infantryman is the spear. It is important that the recruit learn to march while carrying a weapon that, when improperly controlled, can be more dangerous to his squad or to himself than it is to his enemies.

• At the position of Attention:
  

While standing at the position of attention, the spear is positioned with its butt on the outer side of the right foot, resting on the ground. The pole is held in place with the right hand with the arm at the side drawn back and bent to an angle perpendicular to the body. The spear should at all times be in a vertical position with the head facing forward.

• At the position of Parade Rest:
  

The feet are set shoulder width apart, and the left hand is placed behind back in an approved position. As in the position of Attention, the spear is positioned outside the right foot with the butt resting on the ground and the right arm is bent at the elbow to an angle perpendicular to the body. However, the arm is not drawn back but is allowed to fall naturally from the shoulder and the spear is permitted to extend outward at an angle that will never exceed forty-five degrees from vertical with the head at all times facing forward. The command "Parade Rest" can only be given when units are at Attention.

• At the position of Right Shoulder Arms:
  

From the position of Attention, upon the command "Right Shoulder, Arms" the soldier shall move his left arm across his body, take firm hold of the shaft of the spear above his right hand, and raise the spear to marching height, a point that shall be between mid-calf and knee height for each soldier, while simultaneously releasing the spear with his right hand. When the spear is at marching height, the soldier will again grip the spear with his right hand and rest the shaft on the right shoulder strap of his backpack, at all times maintaining control of his weapon. His right arm is allowed to fall naturally from the shoulder and the spear is permitted to extend outward at an angle that will never exceed forty-five degrees from vertical with the head at all times facing forward, as in the position of Parade Rest. The left hand returns to the position of Attention. This position is used when marching.

• At the position of Present Arms:
  

When executed from the positions of Right Shoulder Arms, when given the command, "Present, Arms" the soldier moves his left arm moves across his chest, places the hand approximately 12 inches above the right hand, firmly grasps the spear shaft and moves the weapon to the mid line in front of his body in a vertical position. The spear should be 6-8 inches away from his body with the head at all times facing forward. When executed from the positions of Left Shoulder Arms, when given the command, "Present, Arms" the soldier moves his right arm moves across his chest, places the hand approximately 12 inches above the left hand, firmly grasps the spear shaft and moves the weapon to the mid line in front of his body in a vertical position. The spear should be 6-8 inches away from his body with the head at all times facing forward.

• At the position of Left Shoulder Arms:
  

Executed from the position of Present Arms, upon the command "Left Shoulder, Arms" the soldier shall use both hands to move the spear around his body, maintaining a vertical position, until it is positioned with its butt on the outer side of the left foot, resting on the ground, and held securely by his left hand. He shall then take firm hold of the shaft of the spear with his right hand, and raise the spear to marching height, a point that shall be between mid-calf and knee height for each soldier, while simultaneously releasing the spear with his left hand. When the spear is at marching height, the soldier will again grip the spear with his left hand and rest the shaft on the left shoulder strap of his backpack, at all times maintaining control of his weapon. His left arm is allowed to fall naturally from the shoulder and the spear is permitted to extend outward at an angle that will never exceed forty-five degrees from vertical with the head at all times facing forward, as in the position of Parade Rest. The right hand returns to the position of Attention. This position is also used when marching.