australian army land warfare procedures - general lwp-g 7-7-5 drill

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SECTION 1-7. AIDS TO DRILL
1.40 The time and length of pace to be used in drill is taught using
the following aids:
a. the metronome,
b. the drum,
c. the pace stick, and
d. the pace ladder.
1.41 These aids must be used frequently during the training of
instructors and soldiers to ensure uniformity of drill timings
throughout the Army.
The Metronome
1.42 The metronome sets the time for both marching and rifle drill. It
can be set to the desired number of beats to the minute. As it
is a delicate instrument, it must be checked regularly with a
stopwatch. Soldiers or instructors may be required to call out
the time if a metronome is not available, although the correct
timing is difficult to maintain for any length of time using this
method.
The Drum
1.43 As an instructional aid, the drum has the following three main
functions:
a. It is used to speed up the execution of movements in foot
drill at the halt, and in rifle drill when carried out by
numbers. (The drummer should stand behind the squad,
out of view of the soldiers.) For example, the word of
command is ‘BY NUMBERS, RIFLE DRILL WITH THE
DRUM, PRESENT – ’. The instructor signals when to
beat the drum by extending the fingers of the right hand
and immediately closing the fist. The drummer beats the
drum on this signal. The soldier performs the first
movement of the present arms. In order to instill the
speed of execution into the squad, the instructor varies
LWP-G 7-7-5, Drill, 2005
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