DRL 2: The Qualities of a Drill Instructor

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DRL 2 The Qualities of a Drill Instructor

• SLT Ken Ralston NZCF

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The Aim of Basic Drill

• Produce a cadet who is proud, alert, and
  obedient.
• Drill provides the basis for effective teamwork.

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Objective

• List and detail the qualities of a Drill
  Instructor

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Lesson Stages

• Stage 1
• The Qualities of a Drill Instructor
• Stage 2
• Leading by example
• Stage 3
• Producing the maximum from a group
• Stage 4
• Correction of faults and coaching

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The Qualities of a Drill Instructor

• Patience
• Never lose your temper.
• Enthusiasm
• You must inspire your squad with the will to
  learn.
• Consistency
• Set yourself and the squad a standard and do not
  deviate from it.
• Humanity
• Understand the squads problems.
• Praise readily and do not become familiar, never
  humiliate or single out individual members of the
  squad for ridicule.
• Personality
• As a drill instructor you must impress your squad
  with your personality and always control them
  fully.

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Lead by Example

• When drilling a squad, stand at attention.
• When moving, march correctly as you would wish
  your squad to march.
• When demonstrating, do so accurately if the
  movement is with a rifle, use a rifle and not a
  pace stick.
• Do not swear.
• Always be smart in your personal appearance.
• Never over-exaggerate a movement of drill.

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Producing the Maximum from the Group

• Applied Pressure
• A group will work well under pressure when
  pressure is necessary, providing the instructors
  skill is maintained.
• Pressure is useful as long as progress is being
  made. However pressure is counter-productive if
  used to force a group beyond their ability.
• Release of Pressure
• Release of pressure combined with praise or
  credit can be of good morale value to the group
  if well timed and deserved.
• Short Physical Rests
• Short physical rests should be given
  periodically.
• During these rests, mental activity can be
  maintained by relevant questioning, both from and
  to the group.
• Avoid Straining the Group
• Groups under instruction must not be kept in
  strained positions during explanations,
  demonstrations, or questioning.

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Correction of Faults

• Never Bluff
• Should an Instructor make a mistake in
  instruction, prestige will be gained by admitting
  the mistake and correcting immediately, or on the
  next drill parade.
• Correct all faults
• The Instructor must always be alert to detect and
  correct faults in all movements and positions
  already taught.
• Generalised Fault Checking
• Conduct general fault checking on widespread or
  general faults.
• Individual Fault Checking
• Where individuals are at fault, do not generalise
  as this tends to discourage hardworking cadets.
• Be specific, naming the fault loudly enough for
  all to benefit and then name the individual by
  position in the squad or file e.g. 3 Front Rank
  Keep your head and eyes up.

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Guidelines for effective coaching

• Keep it short and relevant to the moment.
• Highlight the important points in the movement.
• Use short precise words which convey the speed of
  good drill (e.g. words like crack, drive, force,
  grip).
• Use it as an aid, but never in lieu of fault
  checking.
• Use it to stress the essence of good drill e.g..
  speed of movement when require to move.
• Build up a repertoire of proven coaching terms
  from your own and other drill experts experience.