1-1.
Physical training drills are a fundamental component of Army training.
Drill and ceremony is one of the very first experiences for Soldiers upon entering initial military training.
Every aspect of organized physical readiness training also incorporates physical training drills.
Key components of any drill are command delivery, formation, assembly, and reassembly.
1-2.
Paragraphs 1-8 through 1-10 discuss the importance of proper organization of Soldiers in collective training sessions.
Having the right number of Soldiers organized into the right number of ranks improves the training effect.
This cannot be underestimated.
Invariably, performance reflects the quality of its commands.
Indifferent commands produce indifferent performance.
When a leader gives a verbal command distinctly, concisely, with energy, and with proper regard to rhythm, Soldier performance reflects it.
See TC 3-21.5 for detailed information of command voice, posture, and presence.
1-3.
The Army uses commands and cadence to instill confidence, demonstrate professionalism, and facilitate training.
When Soldiers train individually, they should remember that the cadences and recovery between exercises have been designed to improve the training effect.
Retaining those during individual training is strongly encouraged.
It is a mark of discipline and professionalism.
When Soldiers train in groups smaller than a platoon, variance from instructions in this section should not compromise the ability of the leader to see the Soldiers and the Soldiers to hear their leader.
COMMAND TYPES
1-4.
The two types of commands used in physical training are preparatory commands and commands of execution.
The preparatory command describes and specifies what is required.
Leaders give all preparatory commands with rising voice inflection.
The command of execution calls into action what has been prescribed.
The interval between the two commands provides enough time to permit the Soldier to understand the first command before listening to the second one.
COMMAND DELIVERY
1-5.
The physical training leader addresses Soldiers in formation for collective exercises.
The leader commands movement or announces the name of an exercise from the Position of Attention.
Exceptions are exercises that change position without returning to the Position of Attention.
Note. Soldiers and leaders speak or yell the words in all capital letters. When leaders give commands, they emphasize and forcibly project the italicized words.
1-6.
When Soldiers perform exercises, they assume the proper starting position of each exercise on the command, “STARTING POSITION, MOVE.”
When conducting exercises, a leader commands Soldiers to return to the Position of Attention from the terminating position of the exercise before he or she commands Soldiers to assume the starting position for the next exercise.
Physical training leaders use the command, “POSITION OF ATTENTION, MOVE,” to bring Soldiers to the Position of Attention from an exercise terminating position.
1-7.
For example, the physical training leader would conduct exercise 4, Thigh Stretch in the Recovery Drill (known as RD) using the following:
● From the Position of Attention, the physical training leader commands, “THE THIGH STRETCH.”
● Soldiers respond, “THE THIGH STRETCH.”
● From the Position of Attention, the physical training leader commands, “STARTING POSITION, MOVE.”
● The physical training leader and Soldiers assume the starting position for the Thigh Stretch.
● From the starting position, the physical training leader commands, “READY, STRETCH.”
● To change position, the physical training leader first commands, “STARTING POSITION, MOVE.”
● From the starting position, the physical training leader commands, “CHANGE POSITION, READY, STRETCH.”
● Upon termination of the exercise, the physical training leader returns to the starting position before giving the command, “STARTING POSITION, MOVE.”
● The physical training leader assumes the Position of Attention and commands, “POSITION OF ATTENTION, MOVE.”
EXTENDED RECTANGULAR FORMATION
1-8.
The Army’s traditional formation for physical training activities is the extended rectangular formation.
It is best for platoon- to company-size formations because it is simple and easy to assume.