Drill command Action Voz de mando Fall in Individuals form a formation at the "at ease" position. In more informal drill, many NCOs say "Get fell in". En Attention (Parade / Divisions / Squad...) Individuals snap to the position of attention, bringing the left leg up so that the thigh is parallel to the ground and bringing the left foot down in a stamp. The command is usually abbreviated to "Shun", although the RAF has only recently adopted this usage. Firmes Present arms Individuals execute a rifle salute and hold it until given the command "slope arms". Presenten armas Slope arms Individuals place the rifle in the slope, which is with the magazine and pistolgrip facing to the individual's left, and the rifle resting on the left shoulder, supported by the left arm at an angle of ninety degrees. (Armas) al hombro Shoulder arms Individuals bring their rifles back down to their sides. The command "order arms" was used with the longer SLR. Descansen armas Change arms Individuals change the side of the body that the rifle is held on. This command can be given both when the rifle is in the shoulder arms position and the slope arms position. Cambien armas Open Order, March Each rank (row) spreads out from the middle rank by stepping forwards or backwards. If only two ranks, the rear rank steps backwards. Abran filas Close Order, March The formation is restored to its normal interval. Cierren filas Right dress Individuals except those on the extreme right side turn their heads to the right and raise their right arms parallel to the ground in order to get the proper distance from each other. Individuals at the extreme right, apart from the individual at the front (the right marker), raise their right arms straight out in front of them. Sometimes combined with open or close order as "In open/close order, right dress". This can also be given as left dress (looking to the left, left arms raised), or inwards dress (looking to the centre, with left and right arms raised depending on position from the centre.) Alinearse (Cubrirse) Stand at ease Individuals spread their feet about twelve inches by lifting the thigh parallel to the ground, while bringing both of their arms behind their backs, interlocking their hands. If armed, the left and right arms maintained at the sides of the body. Descanso Stand easy Individuals are permitted light movement, but are not allowed to talk or move their feet. If armed, the left and right arms are brought slowly and uniformly to meet in the centre of the body supporting the butt of the rifle. The barrel rests over the right shoulder. A discreción Right (left) turn Individuals turn 90 degrees to the right (left). Individuals pivot on their toes and heels (e.g. to turn left, on the left heel and right toes), give a pause of "two, three" before raising the back leg so that the thigh is parallel to the ground with the foot hanging naturally beneath it and driving the foot down with instantaneous effect to come to the position of attention. Can also be ordered on the march. For a left turn, the command is given as the right foot hits the ground, the left foot is then placed as normal, the next right pace is placed at 90 degrees in front of the left foot. The next right pace is in that direction as well and marching continues on the left foot. For a right turn the movements are reversed with the command given as the left foot hits the ground, stepping off on the right. Derecha (izquierda) ar Right (left) incline Individuals turn 45 degrees to the right (left). Giro derecha (izquierda) About turn Individuals turn 180 degrees (always turning to the right), ending up facing the opposite direction. Can also be ordered on the march. When given whilst marching, the command is given as the right heel strikes the ground. A check pace is taken with the left, and the right foot is brought forward with the toes of the right foot almost touching the left foot's instep. The left foot is then raised so that the thigh is parallel to the ground with the foot hanging naturally beneath and driven with instantaneous effect to form a 'T' shape in front of the right foot. The right foot is then raised so that the thigh is parallel to the ground with the foot hanging naturally beneath and driven with instantaneous effect to form a 'L' shape with the heels almost touching to form a new angle of about 90 degrees. The left foot is then raised so that the thigh is parallel to the ground with the foot hanging naturally beneath and driven with instantaneous effect to form a 'V' shape with the heels almost touching to form a new angle of about 45 degrees. Individuals then step off with the right foot and continue marching as normal. At each movement the thighs are raised to parallel to the ground and the feet are stamped into position so that three stamps are heard. Media vuelta By the right (left, centre), quick, march Individuals begin marching, always setting off on the left foot. The term "by the..." refers to which file (left, right or centre) they take their dressing from, not which foot they use to step off on. Paso ligero By the right (left, centre), slow march Individuals begin marching at ceremonial pace, bringing their foot forward, level at about two inches above the ground, like rolling a giant pencil under the foot. each pace is ended with a slight flick upwards with the toe of the foot. Paso ordinario By The Right Flank, March The whole formation turns 90 degrees and continues to march. Variación derecha Route step The command "Route Step (forward),March" is given when there is no need to stay in step. Individuals walk normally without being in step. Often used on long marches or when crossing a bridge to avoid creating harmonic rhythms. Paso maniobra Halt Given on the left foot in quick time. Timing used is "check, one, two." Given on as the left foot passes the right in slow time, with the left striking the ground and the right thigh bent parallel to the ground, the right foot driven in beside the left in quick time. Alto Change step Individuals execute a movement in order to get in step with the formation. Ordered on the right foot. Cambien paso Mark time Individuals march in place. The movement is similar to the "Halt" in that it is called as the left heel strikes the ground and followed by "check, one, two": on completion of the "halt" movement the squad then starts marching on the spot leading with their left foot. Individuals should raise their thighs parallel to the ground and ensure that they do not speed-up or creep forward. Marquen paso Double time Individuals begin to jog. Paso ligero Eyes right (left) Individuals, except the right marker, turn their heads to the right (left). The movement is given on the left foot with individuals taking a check pace with their right foot before snapping the head and eyes over. Vista a la derecha (izquierda) Eyes front Individuals face forwards again. The movement is given on the left foot with individuals taking a check pace with their right foot before snapping the head and eyes to the front. Vista al frente Salute to the front, salute Individuals initiate a halt, perform two salutes then a full about turn and march off in the opposite direction. If given at the halt, then only one salute is given. The right hand is always used (unless the left is in some way disabled). Timings are given as "two, three, up, two, three, down", with the right hand taking 'the longest way up' i.e. travelling at full extension in a clock-like manner, and 'the shortest way down' i.e. being snapped away down the front of the body. Saluden Dismiss There are two variations - The "Dismiss", usually precursed by the order, to your duties, or End of Day. This command is given to disband the unit, individuals do a 90 degree turn to the right (45 for RAF), march 3 paces smartly and then continue to march until clear of the parade ground. The command, "Officer On Parade, Dismiss" is used when a salute is required. What follows then, is a right turn, salute, pause of 2, 3, Arm Down, pause of 2, 3, march 3 paces and then continue to march until clear of the parade ground. Rompan filas Paces Units can be told to do a certain number of paces forward/backward/left/right, with a command like "3 paces left/right close, march" or "2 paces forward/back, march." The advised limit on the number of paces is 6 left or right, 6 backwards or forwards. The idea of the limit is if you want to go further left or right or backwards, you should turn the unit and march them, and if you want to go further forward, you have enough time to give a halt command so a standard quick march is preferable. Side stepping a unit is also prone to misaligning them, and a dress may be needed after. Paces to the side are carried out in slow time, with paces forward and back in quick time, without the arm movement. x Paso(s) al frente / atrás / derecha / izquierda 