Air Force Cadets on parade

[Cybermat47]

It's pretty cool to see this from the air, it lets you see a lot more

Unfortunately it lets you see my terrible slow-time marching (did I forget I have knees?!), so ignore that.

[Schroeder]

I hated marching around like a trained dog when I was in the army.
Never understood what it was supposed to be good for anyway.

[August]

Not bad for a bunch of Cay-dets!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I hated marching around like a trained dog when I was in the army.
Never understood what it was supposed to be good for anyway.

It was always good for picking out the windmills amidst us all (those who led with the same arm and leg)

[August]

From the US Army Study Guide Flashcard set for the question:

What is the primary purpose of drill and ceremony?

The purpose of drill is to enable a commander or NCO to move his unit from one place to another in an orderly manner, to aid in disciplinary training by instilling habits of precision and response to the leaders orders, and to provide for the development of all soldiers in the practice of commanding troops.

But I think my old Drill Sergeant explained it much better:


"To get you *@#% heads used to doing things as a *@##&^@ group without stepping on each others flabby cheese *@%#$.



Almost 40 years later I still walk with the regular 30 inch step they "drilled" in to us. Comes in handy when I have to walk off distances in my job.

[Stealhead]

I thought that drill and marching was supposed to teach you order and uniformity as well ah I guess that quote says that.
The thing that stuck with me to this day from basic was chewing. In the chow hall you where not supposed to get up from your seat while chewing food. They would flipout if you did.

I still think about that nearly every time I'm eating. So much so that on the rare occasion I do get up while chewing I stop and sit back down.

Another thing that has stuck is staying in step with the group I'm walking with. My wife has long since gotten used to this drilled OCD. My daughter not so much or maybe she walks off my pace for the fun of it.

Flipped up "Elvis" collars irritate me as well.

The Air Force is all about OCD level attention to detail. I never had such OCD behaviors as a kid. Now at a restaurant when I put the tray up I want stack them all neat and flush.