Arms Drills Contents 1. Introduction 9. Marching with the Rifle 2. Parts of a Rifle 10. Saluting with the Rifle on the March 3. Attention, Stand at Ease and Stand Easy 4. Pledge Taking Advanced Arms Drills 5. Shoulder Arms and Order Arms 11. Change Arms 6. Ground Arms 12. Trail Arms 7. Take up Arms 12.1 Shoulder Arms 8. Present Arms 13. High Port Arms 8.1 Shoulder Arms 13.1 Shoulder Arms 8.2 Order Arms 13.2 Order Arms 1. Introduction This chapter contains rifle drills that are commonly used in parades. As far as possible, they are laid out in the order of priority. All rifle drills are first taught by numbers and then by judging the regulation pause between movements. Good rifle drill is a combination of the following: Sharp, decisive handling of the following. No fidgeting between movements. Keeping the upper arm and elbow close to the body throughout. Control of the body. When the rifle is described as vertical, it is the barrel, not the rifle butt that is vertical. 2. Parts of a Rifle 1. Muzzle 2. Flash suppressor 3. Barrel 3. Front Sight Assembly 4. Stock 5. Trigger Guard 6. Magazine 7. Butt Page 1 of 11
3. Attention, Stand at Ease and Stand Easy Command SEDI A (Attention) Timing - Drill Movement Knee is braced back with the foot to the ground The left leg is raised 90 in front of the body with the knee bent. For girls, the leg is raised as high as the skirt will allow. The right hand holds the rifle vertical at the side, thumb gripping the left side of the rifle and touching the leg. Fingers straight and together, on the right side of the rifle slanting towards the ground, with the toe of the butt in line with the seam of the toe cap of the boot. The rifle should be resting on the heel of the rifle butt with the magazine pointing to the front. The position of right hand - the hand, with the arm extended, would be behind the front sight assembly, with the flash suppressor touching the forearm.v-handgrip on the barrel (above the front sight assembly) or hand guard, depending on personal height. Common Faults A strained position which constricts breathing. Allowing the body to slant and the shoulders and arms to creep forward. Roving eyes. Bending the wrists and failing to close the hands. Feet or body not square to the front, heel. Heels do not touch each other. Feet turn out more than 30. Rifle not vertical i.e. muzzle pointing forward or to the left or right. Butt not in line with the seam line of the toe cap of the boot. Fingers not together and curling around the front of the rifle or curled under the front sight assembly. Command SENANG DI RI (Stand at Ease) Timing - Drill Movement Keeping right foot still and leg braced back. Drive the left foot to the ground bringing both feet shoulder width apart with the toes pointing forward naturally. At the same time, transfer the weight of the body to the left so that it remains evenly balanced. At the same time tilt the rifle forward on the rifle such that the rifle is resting on the toe of the rifle butt. V-handgrip on the barrel (above the front sight assembly) or hand guard, depending on personal height. Fingers straightened and closed together with no gaps between them. Page 2 of 11
Both arms should be straightened. Common Faults Bending at the wrist when moving. Moving the right foot. Left foot less than 12 inches from the right foot and not at the correct angle. Moving the toe of the butt. Lack of co-ordination between arm and leg. Curling the fingers around the front of the rifle. Command REHATKAN DI RI (Stand Easy) Timing - Drill Movement Relax the body and allow the fingers to curl around the front of the rifle. Droop the shoulder Common Faults Moving the feet. Allowing the rifle to move. Clenching the rifle. 4. Pledge Taking Command TA AT SE TIA (Pledge Taking) Drill Movement At the timing of 1, push the rifle to the middle of body, with the toe of rifle butt still along the seam of toe cap. As rifle reaches the middle of body, seize the barrel with the left hand using a round hand grip. At the second timing of 1, bring the right hand away from rifle and across, with a clenched fist on the left hand side of the chest. The right thumb is supposed to be hidden from view. Common Faults Sluggish movement of the arms. Command SEDI A (Stand at Attention) Drill Movement At the timing of 1, pull the rifle to the right side of body, at the same time, bringing down your right hand to grab the rifle on the barrel (above the front sight assembly) or hand guard of the rifle using a V-handgrip. At the second timing of 1, cut the rifle back and return the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route. Common Faults Sluggish movement of the arms. Page 3 of 11
5. Shoulder Arms and Order Arms 5.1 Shoulder Arms Command RUSOK SENJA TA (Shoulder Arms) Drill Movement At the timing of 1,flick the rifle up by using only the right wrist and throw the rifle up to the right shoulder, releasing it when the hand is levelled with the waist belt. Straighten the right arm to strike and seize the pistol grip with the hand holding the end of the pistol grip using a round hand grip, with the fingers and edge of pistol grip forming a flat plane At the same time, bring the left hand across the body and with the forearm horizontal, strike and grip the hand guard with a round hand grip. At the second timing of 1, pull rifle back with right arm and cut the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route so that the thumb is at the mid thigh. Common Faults Not releasing the rifle soon enough for both hands to seize it at the same time. Not flicking the rifle up; rather, transferring the weight of the rifle from one arm to another. Moving the right shoulder backwards. Butt too far forward. Not keeping the left elbow close to the body when pulling it to the side. Pulling the rifle butt back too far or not far enough. 5.2 Order Arms Command TURUN SENJA TA (Order Arms) [From the Shoulder] Drill Movement At the timing of 1, force the rifle butt forward such that the rifle is vertical. At the same time bring the left hand across the body to seize the barrel immediately below the flash suppressor, with the thumb and fingers around the barrel in a round hand grip, keeping the left elbow close to the body. At the second timing of 1, release the rifle with the right hand. Lower it swiftly to the ground with the left hand and level with the seam of the right toecap. Right hand releases grip on the pistol grip. Straighten fingers and guide the rifle as it moves downwards towards the ground. Right hand forms a V-handgrip on the barrel (top of front sight Page 4 of 11
assembly) or hand guard. At the last timing of 1, pull back the rifle with the right hand such that the rifle is resting on the heel of the rifle butt and the flash suppressor is touching the right forearm. At the same time return the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route. Common Faults Looking down at the rifle when executing the drill. Not gripping the barrel with the left thumb behind it. Not controlling the rifle with the left hand. Not keeping the shoulders facing the front. Exaggerating the movement of the left hand. Banging the rifle butt on the ground. 6. Ground Arms This is done in the Open Order. Command BARING SENJA TA (Ground Arms) Drill Movement Take a marching pace of 75 centimetres forward with the left foot, allowing both knees to bend. The right foot remains at the same spot, with the knee bent but not touching the ground. With the right hand, twist the rifle to the right. Lay the rifle on the ground with the barrel pointing straight to the front, the magazine to the right and the butt plate in line with the seam of the right toe cap. The left arm is placed such that it is perpendicular to the ground with the fist clenched. Straighten the body and bring the left foot back. Return the right arm to the side. Resume the position of attention. Common Faults Looking down. Rifle not straight in front. 7. Take up Arms Command ANGKAT SENJA TA (Take up Arms) Drill Movement Take a marching pace of 75 centimetres forward with the left foot, bending forward. Bend both knees and grip the rifle where it is held at the order with the right hand, looking to the front. Straighten the body, gripping the rifle in the right hand. The left arm is placed such that it is perpendicular to the ground Page 5 of 11
with the fist clenched. Bring the left foot back. Twist the rifle so that the magazine faces the front Resume the position of attention. Common Faults Looking down. Not controlling the rifle. Losing balance 8. Present Arms Command HORMAT SENJA TA (Present Arms) Drill Movement At the timing of 1, flick the rifle to vertical position using the right hand. Immediately bring the left hand across the body, and with the forearm horizontal, strike and grip the hand guard with a round handgrip, keeping the left elbow close to the body. At the same time transfer the right hand from the pistol grip to the neck of the stock, such that the fingers are on the right, straight and slanting downwards, the thumb gripping the left side of the butt in a V-handgrip. At the second timing of 1, close the fingers and thumb of the right hand round the small of the butt and force the rifle up to a vertical position in the centre of the body, with the magazine facing the front. As the rifle reaches the central position with the thickest part of the hand guard at the mouth level, strike the thickest part of the hand guard using the left arm in one solid motion. When striking, take note of the 3-points contact between the hand and the rifle: palm, wrist, and elbow. The heel of the palm will strike on the thickest part of the hand guard. Fingers should be straight and close up. At the second Check, straighten the right arm down the centre of the body thus lowering the rifle to a vertical position four inches from the body. Left forearm should be parallel to the ground. Left hand will change to a good-hand sign grip and right hand to a v- hand grip. The right leg is lifted up at the same time. At the last timing of 1, the right leg is driven down to the ground and slightly behind the left leg with 30 between. Common Faults Pushing the rifle upwards before starting downwards. Left hand too high on stock. Weight of the body going on the right foot. Increasing the angle between the feet, thereby dragging the shoulders backwards. Rifle too close to the body. Page 6 of 11
8.1 Shoulder Arms CHUNG CHENG HIGH SCHOOL (MAIN) Command RUSOK SENJA TA (Shoulder Arms) [From the Present Arms] Drill Movement Force the rifle to a vertical position in front of, and touching, the right shoulder. At the same time, remove the right hand from the rifle, strike and seize the pistol grip. (This is the same as the first position of the Shoulder Arms from the Order Arms.) Bend the right knee, resume the position of attention and at the same time pull the left arm to the side and the rifle to the position of the Shoulder Arms. Common Faults Moving the right shoulder backwards. 8.2 Order Arms Command TURUN SENJA TA (Order Arms) [From the Present Arms] Drill Movement At the timing of 1, without moving the rifle, remove right hand from the neck of the stock and form a V-sign before seizing the smallest part of the hand guard. Right hand then changes to a round hand grip immediately after seizing. Left hand will be also changed to a round hand grip. The rifle will be brought closer to the body. At the same time bend the right knee to resume the position of attention. At the second timing of 1, remove the left hand and lower the rifle swiftly to the ground with the toe of the rifle butt aligned to the seam of the right toecap. At the same time, left hand will change grip and hold onto the part of the barrel right below the flash suppressor using a round hand grip. Right hand remains as a round hand grip at the smallest part of the hand guard. At the last timing of 1, pull back the rifle with the right hand such that the rifle is resting on the heel of the rifle butt and the flash suppressor is touching the right forearm. At the same time return the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route. Common Faults Not gripping the rifle with the right hand. Moving the right shoulder backwards. Not controlling the rifle with the right hand. Banging the butt on the ground. Page 7 of 11
9. Marching with the Rifle Command CEPAT JA LAN (Quick March) Timing LEFT RIGHT LEFT Drill Movement Marching with rifle at the shoulder. Common Faults There is a tendency to support the pistol grip with only fingertips. As a result the rifle is allowed to move away from the body. 10. Saluting with the Rifle on the March Command MEMBERI HORMAT SEMASA BERJALAN KE KANAN / KE KIRI HOR MAT (Salute to the right/left) Timing CHECK UP 2 3 4 5 DOWN Left Right - Drill Movement Given as the left heel strikes the ground. Continue about 30 inches (75 centimetres) pace with the right foot and at the same time bring the left hand from the rear to the position of attention and turn the head to the right. Take about 30 inches (75 centimetres) pace with the right foot, with the left arm in front of the stock of rifle. The squad takes a further pace on each word of command, call out THREE, FOUR, FIVE. Take about 30 inches (75 centimetres) pace with the right foot. As the heel strikes the ground, turn the head to the front, return the left arm to the position of attention. Take about 30 inches (75 centimetres) pace with the left foot, swing the left arm backward and continue marching. Common Faults Not keeping the body and shoulders to the front Command MEMBERI HORMAT SEMASA BERJALAN KE HADAPAN HOR MAT (Salute to the front) Timing CHECK 1 BANG CHECK UP CHECK DOWN CHECK UP CHECK DOWN CHECK TURN CHECK BANG CHECK Left Right - Drill Movement Given as the left heel strikes the ground. Halt and adopt position of attention. Salute to the front with the left hand in front of the stock of rifle and cut down hand. Repeat the action. About turn and march off. Page 8 of 11
Advanced Arms Drills The following commands belong to the category of Advanced Arms Drills. 11. Change Arms Command ALIH SENJA TA (Change Arms right to left) Timing 1 CHECK 1 CHECK 1 CHECK 1! Drill Movement Force the rifle butt forward such that the rifle is vertical. At the same time, bring the left hand horizontally across the body to seize the hand guard immediately, forcing the rifle into the shoulder, with the thumb and fingers around the hand guard and back of hand to the front, keeping the left elbow close to the body. Bring the rifle to the centre of the body, seize the hand guard with the right hand on top of the left hand, keeping it as close to the body as possible without touching. Bring the rifle to the left of the body, with the left arm smacking the rifle to force it into the shoulder, producing a sound and at the same time holding the pistol grip. The rifle is vertical with the magazine to the front. Pull the right arm to the position of attention by the shortest route so that the thumb is touching the leg behind the seam of the trousers or skirt. At the same time, pull back the rifle with the left hand. Common Faults Looking down. Butt too far forward. Not keeping the left elbow close to the body when pulling it to the side. Pulling the rifle butt back too far or not far enough. Not keeping the rifle vertical. Allowing the rifle to slant sideways. Transferring hand placed below the other hand. No sharp cutting action. Note: From left to right, it is the reverse action as mentioned above. Note: This drill can be executed on the march. 12. Trail Arms Command BIMBIT SENJA TA (Trail Arms) Drill Movement Force the rifle butt forward so that the rifle is vertical. At the same time bring the left hand across the body to seize the hand guard, with the thumb and fingers around the hand guard, keeping the left elbow close to the body and horizontal. Bring the right hand up to the handle and seize it. Page 9 of 11
Lower the rifle down to be parallel to the ground with right hand holding onto handle. At the same time, bring the left arm back to the position of attention by the shortest route so that the thumb is touching the leg behind the seam of the trousers or skirt. Common Faults - Note: This drill can be executed on the march. 12.1 Shoulder Arms Command RUSOK SENJA TA (Shoulder Arms) [From the Trail Arms] Drill Movement Bring the rifle upwards, parallel to the body. At the same time bring the left hand across the body to seize the hand guard, with the thumb and fingers around the stock, keeping the left elbow close to the body and parallel to the ground. Right hand to strike and seize pistol grip and return the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route. Common Faults Moving the right shoulder backwards. 13. High Port Arms Command JULANG SENJA TA (High Port Arms) Drill Movement At the timing of 1, force the rifle butt forward so that the rifle is vertical. At the same time bring the left hand across the body to seize the hand guard, with the thumb and fingers around the hand guard, keeping the left elbow close to the body and horizontal. At the second timing of 1, bring the rifle up across the chest at an angle of 45 and slanted 45 to the front. Rest the right forearm on the stock of the rifle. At the same time, right hand change the grip, with the index finger along the trigger guard, and left hand holding on to hand guard with full hand grip, left elbow close to body. Pull the rifle as close to the body as possible. Common Faults - Note: This drill can be executed on the march. 13.1 Shoulder Arms Command RUSOK SENJA TA (Shoulder Arms) [From the High Port Arms] Page 10 of 11
Drill Movement Bring down the rifle to the right side, parallel to the body; seize the pistol grip with right hand. Return the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route. Common Faults - 13.2 Order Arms Command TURUN SENJA TA (Order Arms) [From the High Port Arms] Drill Movement Keep the rifle and the left hand still. Right hand strike and seize the smallest part of the hand guard right below the front-sight assembly. Lower the rifle down to the ground on the right side with the toe of the butt aligned with the seam of the right toecap. Return the left arm to the position of attention by the shortest route. At the same time, pull back the rifle with the right hand until the flash suppressor touches the right forearm. Common Faults Not gripping the rifle with the right hand. Moving the right shoulder backwards. Not controlling the rifle with the right hand. Banging the butt on the ground. Page 11 of 11