Now you’re doing it!
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Also the point to notes dont sumarise the whole movement. If it was me i would of put something like after halting a complete and correct left turn is taken… But yeah
The devil in me wants to claim that it’s not wrong though and say that it’s possible to correctly NOT do a left turn, therefore correctly carrying out a left turn through its omission.
I should go into politics…
I know! Hence everything does need a bit of a clear up to put an end to the adaptations made by instructors across the core. Sizing of a squad is probably the least clear section I’ve seen in AP818. From what I remember when reading it, the right marker is supposed to already be in place as they are not to move and then everyone inclines and what follows is everyone should be now in a sized line. No explanation as to what actually goes on to get everyone in line (my memory may not be serving me correctly though)
Politics, more like religion. The book is clearly wrong, yet everyone’s trying to interpret to find the ‘true meaning’
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Yeah, because the RAF only do that for formal parades. It’s us who made it into this big song and dance, and because it’s made up, it’s got no standardisation.
Although in that case the halt and left turn should have been described in the centre column.
Actually, since your here. “without intervals” in this instance should be interpreted as teapot or shoulder to shoulder? A question I never got around to asking.
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Also just realized “The squad is to practice Collectively-Individually-Collectively” how on earth do you practice sizing a squad INDIVIDUALLY
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Its just the method of drill instruction.
I’m sure I’ll be corrected if I’m wrong, but where there’s a blank file the person in that file should mark time on “About” so when they turn they’re at the front again. A warning to do that would be good.
Yes, though I’ve never seen it done when sizing a squad, you should (according to the book) do a teapot right dress when you get in the line.
I have definitely laughed at that before.
To me, sizing used to be a lot less messy when it actually WAS a left turn.
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I have never heard of this. Anyone in a blank file does the exact same movement as the rest of the squad according to my knowledge (which also may be wrong).
Saywhaaaaa? On unit I brief to leave it due to only doing short lengths, but only ever seen corrections done through stepping out. We never about turn on parades.
Have you actually seen that attempted?
Yeah thats weird
Once, didn’t go well.
Found it in AP818:
- A blank file consisting of one person is at all times to be with the leading rank. Thus, when a squad is turned about on the march, the single person of the blank file on hearing the cautionary command: “ABOUT” is to mark time for two paces, thus gaining the new correct position before the turn is completed.
- Similarly, when the squad is turned about at the Halt the single person is without further orders to take two paces forward after turning about
I would not trust cadets to get that right
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I’m not sure on the orientation of the squad here. Are we talking about when the squad is “in line” or “in column” (I am assuming when in line but we don’t often march in line)
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Does also rely on that 4 pace gap - mark time for two, march for two, executive.
Use of “leading rank” there is confusing me, and the overall geometry of a flight of 11 for instance - there’s more than one… ohhhh…
It’s not for column of route/threes!
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So, the blank filer is meant to mark time, IMMEDIATELY on the cautionary command, in an order with no introductory?
Good luck not falling over.
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