Army MMD 1, Military Movement Drill 1, is a series of dynamic exercises specifically designed as part of the military’s Physical Readiness Training (PRT).
- The main objective of Army MMD1 exercises is to improve your motor efficiency and prepare you for prolonged, challenging situations when you have to run for a long time.
- These exercises enhance soldiers’ motor efficiency and ability to run and prepare their bodies for more intensive running activities in combat scenarios.
Purpose of Army MMD1 in the toughening phase:
- To enhance a soldier’s running form.
- Dynamically prepare a soldier’s body for more vigorous running activities.
- Help soldiers develop motor efficiency.
Military Movement Drill 1 Implementation:
- You will conduct the Army MMD1 exercises following preparation and hip stability drills but before running activities during PRT sessions.
MMD1 Location Considerations:
- You can conduct MMD1 exercises on any suitable level area of adequate size.
- Beware of hazards such as holes, uneven terrain, and rocks.
- Caution for wet terrain.
Formation:
- You will conduct military movement drill 1 exercises using the extended rectangular formation and a soldier’s rank.
Military Movement Drill 1 Exercises
Military movement drill 1 consists of exercises performed at 25-yard intervals: verticals, laterals, and the shuttle sprint.
- Exercise 1: Verticals
- Exercise 2: Laterals
- Exercise 3: Shuttle Sprint

Army MMD 1 Exercises
The following are the exercises in Military Movement Drill 1, MMD 1:
- Exercise 1: Verticals
- Exercise 2: Laterals
- Exercise 3: Shuttle Sprint
Verticals
Vertical exercises are jumping workouts where you will jump as high as possible vertically into the air; you will focus on maximizing height from the ground.
- This exercise primarily works on your leg muscles, including your calves, quads, and hamstrings.
- Your core muscles will provide you with stability throughout the exercise.
Laterals
Army laterals are sideways movements where you will be moving laterally in a controlled stepping motion.
- Lateral workouts work on your thigh adductors and abductors when you move sideways.
- The core muscles will provide balance and stability throughout the exercise.
Shuttle Sprint
Shuttle sprint exercises are high-intensity workouts where you sprint from a specified point and back for 25 meters.
- Sprints will work on your legs, glutes, and core muscles.
- The exercise will also improve your cardiovascular fitness.
Benefits of Military Movement Drill One Exercises
The following are the benefits of movement drill one exercises:
Improves soldiers running form
- MMD 1 exercises are effective at targeting the proper alignment motion of running in our body.
- This enables you to run and move effectively without injuring yourself.
Improves motor skills
- These exercises improve your body’s ability to process movements.
- Performing precise movements in MMD1 enhances a soldier’s motor skills, which are important in operational or combat missions.
Versatility and adaptability
- MMD1 drills are adaptable and can be conducted on any level area
- This is important as it prepares soldiers to adapt to diverse or challenging environments they might experience during combat or operational scenarios.
Military Movement Drill 1 Conclusion
In conclusion, Military Movement Drill 1 is an important aspect of your life as a soldier in the military.
- It’s a critical requirement in a soldier’s physical training regime to ensure they are always fit and ready for operational and combat missions.
While MMD1 can be standalone, pairing it with Military Movement Drill 2 Exercises will enhance your benefits from this workout.
- These three exercises are impactful, pushing your movement speed to its peak.
- The Army designs Military Movement Drills 1 to be intense workouts that aid in toughening and sustaining endurance, especially when performing in group formations.
Additional References:
- Table 10-2: Information on endurance and mobility activities, intensity prescriptions, duration, and volume within the toughening and sustaining phases
- Chapter 5, Planning Considerations: This chapter guides commanders and PRT leaders to implement endurance and mobility activities into their PRT programs.
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