Australian Army Drill - The Drill Beat

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THE DRILL BEAT FOR STATIONARY POSITIONS

To ensure everyone moves together, soldiers are to have the same musical beat drilled into their heads.

Most stationary drill movements use the following cadence:

1 2 - 3... 1

The third part of the command becomes the 3 as if from the previous musical bar. Below is the command to stand at attention in italics, followed by the beat for the soldiers to move to:

ATTEEEEEN TION 1 2 - 3... 1

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EXAMPLE: ATTENTION ON THE DRILL BEAT

From the 'at-ease' position...

On the beat after "TION" is called, on the first '1' beat...

• Raise your left knee.

Pause for the '2' - '3' beats.

For the final '1' beat...

• Drop your left foot and move your arms into the attention position. See 'STANDING AT ATTENTION' for more detailed instructions.

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THE DRILL BEAT WHILE MARCHING

Australian Army drill cadence is standardised for precise marching.

• Quick Time is 116–120 paces per minute.

• Slow Time (ceremonial) is 60–70 paces per minute

• Double Time is 165-180 paces per minute.

Length of Pace:

• Quick Time and Slow Time is about 75cm

• Stepping Out is about 85cm

• Double Time is about 1m

• Backwards Marching is about 35cm