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BATTALION NEWS (Commanding Officers Form Up)
Thursday 26th February 2009

The Coldstream Guards have now moved fully into Mons Barracks, Aldershot (see address change) and have been busy getting orientated into the 1 Brigade Style of things.

After recently arriving in Aldershot the Battalion paraded this morning for the Commanding Officers Form Up. All were on parade in number two dress drill order that had previously been inspected and altered (where necessary) by the Master Tailor and his team of merry men.

The parade started with the Regimental Sergeant Major calling for all Company Sergeant Majors who then went back to respective Company’s to ensure all knew what they were doing.

 
 

Markers were called for by the Regimental Sergeant Major and the Battalion marched forward, halted and Warrant and Non Commissioned Officers took up position for the Commanding Officer to inspect them.

 
 

Officers then joined the parade and paced the minutes and in turn approached the Commanding Officer (accompanied by the Adjutant) for inspection.

 
 
 
 

Once all Officers had been inspected they took up their positions on the flanks of the Commanding Officer, and it was now the turn of the rest of those on parade.

 
 
 
 

Once complete, the Commanding Officer, accompanied by each Company Commander and Company Sergeant Major, inspected all members of the Battalion.

 
 

As the Commanding Officer inspected Company personnel, the Adjutant – accompanied by CSgt Mchugh (Medical Centre SNCO), inspected all members of the Battalion who were sick in some shape or form (those who could not complete the parade).

 
 

Obviously, all this takes time and thinking of the welfare and health of individuals on parade Non Commissioned Officers then ‘warmed up’ their company’s (or as you old boys would say, a quick rift!).

 
 
 
 
 

Obviously, all this takes time and thinking of the welfare and health of individuals on parade Non Commissioned Officers then ‘warmed up’ their company’s (or as you old boys would say, a quick rift!).

After a little drill, the Battalion then took an organised break to refresh themselves (tea, coffee & biscuits in the drill shed) and then paraded back on the square for phase two.

 
 

Non Commissioned Officers from the Battalion then had the opportunity to drill their Company’s whilst the Officers carried out some Sword Drill under the watchful eye of WOII (DSgt) Danny Gibson and WOII (CSM) Danny Morrell.

The final phase of the morning would be to march off the square. Each Company took their turn to march around the drill square and salute/eyes left towards the Commanding Officer, who would decide if they could leave the square or wheel back around and try again!

 

All in all a good day to be a Coldstreamer!


Foot Drill explained:
For those with an interest and for those that think foot drill is a ‘waste of time’ ........


Foot Drill is an essential part of the military training regimen of today's armed forces, in particular the Foot Guards.

"Foot Drill" or "Drill" stems from time since antiquity when soldiers used to march into battle, where they would be expected to gather in a formation, and react to words of command from their commanders once the battle commenced; for example, "Fix Bayonets", which is still used today, albeit not used much on the battle field, but to provide a spectacle at military events and parades. Much of the drill done today is either ceremonial, or implemented as a core part of training in the Armed Forces.

Military discipline is enhanced by drill, as it requires instant obedience to commands.

Drill came into its own when marching formations of soldiers cross-country. For example, officers could form men from an eight-wide route march formation to a two-wide formation for passing through gates and other narrow passages, without losing time or cohesion. Drill was used to efficiently manoeuvre formations around and through obstacles.

Drill was often used as a forerunner to great battles; during them it justified itself. It was also utilized after battles, where quick restoration of the corporate unity of an element was required.

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