09 June 2005: No 30/05

COMPULSORY INSTRUCTIONAL DRILL PERIODS FOR UNIFORMED MEMBERS IN THE SANDF

The SANDF is continuing with the compulsory instructional drill periods aimed at improving military bearing and upholding the standard of display discipline.

The Services and Divisions are to ensure that monthly compulsory drill periods for all ranks, including those of generals and flag officers as stated in the CSANDF instruction, are instituted.

The object of drill is to develop in an individual soldier a sense of instictive obedience to carry out orders. It has been proved that the foundation of discipline is based on drill. 

A well rehearsed and closely supervised drill demanding the highest precision is an exercise in obedience and alertness.

Good drill sets the standard for the execution of duty for the individual and the unit. Drill builds a sense of confidence between the commanders and subordinates, which is vital for purposes of morale.

Good drill and high standards are to be incorporated in the everyday life of a soldier.

Therefore it is the duty of those in command to insist on professional standards under all circumstances, on and off parade. We should guard against the lowering of professional standards anywhere in the SANDF.

The drill instructors must use the WOSANDF drill complementing and saluting website for guidelines and assistance in their drill periods. 

May programme was as follows:

Marching in slow time.
Slow march.
Marching and halting in the slow time.

The guideline was that the length of the pace is from heel to heel (70 cm).

June programme is as follows:

Turning and diagonal march in quick time.

Left turn in quick time, right turn in quick time, left incline in quick time and right incline in quick time.

The guideline during these compulsory instructional drill periods is that the participants should not look down.

Take note that the monthly drill programmes will be published in a bulletin every month.