What does the preparatory command state?

What does the preparatory command state?

• A. The movement to be carried out and mentally prepares the Soldier for its execution. In the command Forward, MARCH, the preparatory command is Forward.
• B. The exact time to begin the movement.
• C. The destination of the movement.
• D. The movement's speed and tempo.

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that drill commands come in two parts: a preparatory command that names the movement and primes you to perform it, followed by the command of execution that tells you when to carry it out. In the example, the word Forward serves as the preparatory command. It tells you what movement is coming and gives you time to get your body aligned, your feet set, and your rhythm ready. Then the execution command MARCH tells you to start moving at that moment. The preparatory part itself doesn’t specify when to begin—that start signal comes with the execution command. It also doesn’t indicate where you’re going or how fast you should move; those details come from the execution command and the drill’s standard pace. That’s why naming the movement and preparing the Soldier’s mind and body is exactly what the preparatory command does.

The essential idea is that drill commands come in two parts: a preparatory command that names the movement and primes you to perform it, followed by the command of execution that tells you when to carry it out. In the example, the word Forward serves as the preparatory command. It tells you what movement is coming and gives you time to get your body aligned, your feet set, and your rhythm ready. Then the execution command MARCH tells you to start moving at that moment. The preparatory part itself doesn’t specify when to begin—that start signal comes with the execution command. It also doesn’t indicate where you’re going or how fast you should move; those details come from the execution command and the drill’s standard pace. That’s why naming the movement and preparing the Soldier’s mind and body is exactly what the preparatory command does.