Current edition: TC 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies, dated May 2021. This is one of the most
frequently tested topics at promotion and NCO boards — the history questions and cadence/teaching-stage facts
below are classic MOI material. Applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/ARNGUS, and U.S. Army Reserve;
principal audience is every member of the profession of arms.
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HISTORY & PURPOSE
Where drill came from, and the two things it's actually for.
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Baron von Steuben
A Prussian officer, Friedrich von Steuben introduced drill and ceremony to the U.S. Army, beginning instruction upon his arrival at Valley Forge on 23 February 1778.
Von Steuben wrote the Army's first field manual in 1779: "Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States," commonly known as the Blue Book
The Blue Book went unchanged for roughly 85 years, until the Civil War — many of its terms and procedures are still in use today
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Purpose of Drill
To enable a commander or NCO to move a unit from one place to another in an orderly manner.
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Drill vs. Ceremony
Drill moves a unit or individuals in a uniform manner from one formation or place to another. Ceremonies are formations and movements executed with the same unison and precision as drill, but their primary value is to render honors, preserve traditions, and stimulate esprit de corps.
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Cadence
Quick time is 120 counts/steps per minute; double time is 180 counts/steps per minute — the two standard marching cadences used today.
During the American Revolutionary period, troops marched at 76 steps per minute — well below today's 120
Cadence is defined as the uniform rhythm in which a movement is executed
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TEACHING DRILL
The doctrine isn't just about the moves — it's about how to teach them consistently.
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Three Methods of Instruction
Step-by-step, talk-through, and by-the-numbers — the three approved ways to teach drill to Soldiers.
Step-by-step: explanation and demonstration are combined, teaching the movement one step at a time
Talk-through: the movement is orally described while the individual performs the action at the same time
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Three Teaching Stages
Explanation, demonstration, and practice — every movement should be presented through these three stages regardless of which instructional method is used.
During explanation, the instructor gives the name of the movement, its practical use, and the command(s) needed to execute and terminate it
Best presented using either a U-formation or line formation for instruction and practical work
Cadence counting while marching helps Soldiers learn and maintain rhythm
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Preparatory Command vs. Command of Execution
Every drill command has two parts — a preparatory command that tells Soldiers what's coming, and a command of execution that tells them when to do it.
In the publication itself, commands of execution are printed in BOLD CAP letters, and preparatory commands in Bold Italics — a formatting convention worth recognizing when reading the source document
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Read the Prerequisites First
Anyone preparing to give drill instruction must be thoroughly familiar with the core drill chapters before attempting to teach the more advanced material later in the publication.
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COMMANDS & MANUAL OF ARMS
Turning printed commands into precise, uniform movement — with a weapon in hand.
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Manual of Arms — M4/M16
Covers weapon-handling movements (Inspection Arms, Order Arms, Present Arms, and similar) performed with the M4-series carbine or M16-series rifle in conjunction with drill movements.
M4-series carbine drills are only conducted with standard handguards and the stock fully extended
Appendices cover the manual of arms for the M14, M1903/M1917, and saber/sword separately — movements are largely the same as the M16-series, with a few specific differences (e.g., certain M14 movements for Inspection Arms, Stack Arms, and Order Arms)
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Manual of the Guidon
A dedicated appendix covers proper handling and movements for the guidon — the unit's identifying flag carried in formation.
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Saluting
Saluting procedures get their own appendix, separate from the manual of arms — a reminder that courtesy movements and weapon-handling movements are treated as distinct skill sets.
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Mounted & Motorized Drill
Procedures exist for the orderly formation and movement of vehicles during drill and ceremonies for motorized and mechanized units, adaptable to local conditions as needed.
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CEREMONIES
Where drill graduates into something bigger than moving a formation from A to B.
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Mandatory Events & the Army Song
Most military ceremonies include certain mandatory events and end with the playing of the Army song.
Hails and farewells are the exception — they don't require the national anthem or the Army song
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Who Owns the Ceremony
A unit's command sergeant major (or designated representative) develops the unit's ceremony-specific SOP and ensures the unit is prepared to conduct it.
At the company or troop level, these responsibilities can be delegated to the first sergeant and the command team
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Flags & Colors
A dedicated appendix covers flags and colors — proper handling, display, and movement of organizational colors during ceremonies.
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Civilian Participation
The publication includes a chapter specifically addressing civilian participation in military ceremonies — a reminder that not every ceremony is purely internal to the formation.