DRILL TRAINING 

Military discipline is founded on Drill. This has been proved again and again in battle. Drill is also the basis of the military way of carrying out the task.  It sets the standard for the execution of any duty, both for the individual and for the unit.  Good drill demands precision and effort.  It is an exercise in obedience, alertness and control.  It develops confidence between commander and subordinate and so builds morale.  A unit  which turns out well and drills well can be relied on to do anything required of it well.

Good drill and a high standard are not learnt on the parade ground to be discarded in everyday life except for the ceremonial occasions.  If an idle action or bad turnout is allowed to pass, the standard is lowered, discipline weakened and bad habits will multiply.  It is therefore the duty of all officers and non-commissioned officers to insist on the standard they know to be right, both on and off parade and in all circumstances.

The drill of the marine Cadet’s is that of the Royal Marines and is fundamentally the drill of the Infantry, adapted and supplemented to suit the special needs of the  Corps and to accord with its regimental traditions.

Drill

 The aim of basic drill is to develop in the individual marine Cadet personal pride in his appearance and bearing, and a sense of instinctive obedience which will assist him at all times to obey orders.   Manoeuvre drill incorporates most of the common basic drills and practises leaders in giving words of command.

Introduction 

1)      The aim of drill is to produce a cadet who is alert and obedient, and to provide the basis of teamwork.

2)      Drill has evolved over a long period of time and is now accepted as the foundation of military discipline.

3)      Drill in battle (Battle Drills) ensures that every soldier does what he has bee trained to do irrespective of noise and other distractions so that he, and the team of which he is part, continues to function, each man knowing that he can rely on the others.

4)      Under peacetime conditions the main purpose of the more formal parade ground drill is to enable bodies of cadets to be moved easily and quickly from point to point in am orderly manner.  In doing so it has particular value for cadets in making them alert and teaching them to hold themselves properly, to develop their lungs and muscles, and to improve the awkwardness of gait which is so often present in adolescents.

CONFIDENCE AND BEARING.

As a new recruit, going from civilian clothing, to wearing a uniform is not new. Most wear uniforms to school, mostly under protest.

You have now joined an organisation, which not only expects you to wear a uniform, but clean it, iron it, polish it, and be DAMN proud when you wear it. As you will learn, the Royal Marines are over 340 years old, and during their existence, the Royal Marines have earned respect wherever they go.

They are rightly proud of their history. As Marine Cadets, we have been given the privilege to wear the Royal Marines uniform and badges. This includes the Royal Marines Full Blues. Many other cadet don’t get a No 1 or best dress. When you do a public parade, you will notice the looks and comments you will get as a Marine Cadet in No1 Dress Blues. When you wear your uniform, be proud of it.

You will have had to earn the right to wear it, and anyone who see’s you will associate you with Royal Marines, not a youth group. So be aware of you actions and conduct when in uniform. When on parade, stand as you have been taught. Don’t slouch, talk, look around, scratch, fidget etc. Be confident in what you have been taught. Don’t look about to see if you are doing things right.

Confidence and bearing is all about how you act, behave and present yourself. Its about how you stand in squad, how you march. How you speak to staff, cadets, and visitors. We want to see bags of confidence.  Staff can tell, just by looking at your body language if you want to be there, and if you are a “happy bunny”.