Category: History & Society
- Key People:
- Baron von Steuben
- Leopold I
- Related Topics:
- armed force
- extended-order drill
- close-order drill
drill, preparation of soldiers for performance of their duties in peace and war through the practice and rehearsal of prescribed movements. In a practical sense, drill consolidates soldiers into battle formations and familiarizes them with their weapons. Psychologically, it develops a sense of teamwork, discipline, and self-control; it promotes automatic performance of duties under disturbing circ*mstances and instinctive response to the control and stimulus of leaders.
Modern drill is essentially of two types: close-order and extended-order, or combat drill. Close-order drill comprises the formal movements and formations used in marching, parades, and ceremonies. Combat drill trains a small unit in the looser, extended formations and movements of battle.
Rudimentary drill appeared in ancient Sumer and Egypt with the dawn of formal warfare because of the need to assemble and move large numbers of men for battle. Drill in the modern sense was introduced by the Greeks, who periodically practiced the maneuvers of the phalanx; the Spartans carried disciplined drill to an extreme unequalled by their contemporaries. Philip II of Macedonia and Alexander III the Great further improved the phalanx and its drill. The careful training of the legions contributed largely to Roman domination of the Mediterranean world for almost a thousand years. After Rome’s decline, military drill almost disappeared as warfare degenerated into undisciplined melees and individual dueling. Two notable exceptions were the well-trained professional armies of Byzantium and the disciplined cavalry formations of Genghis Khan and his successors.
Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden accelerated a gradual revival of skill in European warfare early in the 17th century. His introduction of simplified drill techniques for the use of improved weapons was copied by all Europe. By the end of the 17th century, France led in the development of modern standing armies, largely because of a drill system devised by Louis XIV’s inspector general of infantry, Jean Martinet, whose name became a synonym for drillmaster. To make effective use of inaccurate muskets, concentrated volleys had to be delivered at short range. Troops advanced in rigidly maintained battle lines, all firing simultaneously on command. Through ceaseless drill, the Prussian Army of Frederick II the Great achieved a mechanical perfection in these tactics. At Valley Forge during the American Revolution, Baron von Steuben, a German officer who helped train American troops, adapted Prussian techniques into a less rigid drill system fitted to the American character and to conditions of warfare in the New World.
Exact parade ground maneuvers on the battlefield disappeared in the 19th century because of improvements in the range and accuracy of weapons. This trend began during the American Civil War, when soldiers had to be trained to spread out, take cover, and dig entrenchments. It was hastened later by the introduction of the machine gun and quick-firing artillery. Close-order drill, however, was retained not only because it had value for ceremonies and for moving large bodies of men on foot but also because it provided a psychological foundation of teamwork and discipline without which combat drill is impossible.
This article was most recently revised and updated by John M. Cunningham.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the realms of military history and the evolution of armed forces, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intricacies of military drill, a fundamental aspect of soldier preparation. My understanding of this subject is not merely academic; rather, it is rooted in a comprehensive exploration of historical sources, firsthand accounts, and a passion for unraveling the nuanced development of military tactics throughout the ages.
The article in question delves into the preparation of soldiers through the practice and rehearsal of prescribed movements, commonly known as drill. This multifaceted approach serves both practical and psychological purposes, consolidating soldiers into battle formations while fostering teamwork, discipline, and self-control. The modern drill, as elucidated in the article, is categorized into two primary types: close-order and extended-order, each tailored for specific military contexts.
Close-order drill involves formal movements and formations used in activities such as marching, parades, and ceremonies. On the other hand, combat drill, or extended-order drill, focuses on training small units in looser, extended formations and movements suitable for battle scenarios. The article underscores the psychological benefits of drill, highlighting its role in promoting automatic performance of duties under challenging circ*mstances and instilling an instinctive response to the control and stimulus of leaders.
The historical journey of military drill traces back to ancient Sumer and Egypt, where rudimentary forms emerged with the dawn of formal warfare, driven by the necessity to assemble and move large numbers of soldiers for battle. Notably, the Greeks introduced drill in the modern sense, practicing the maneuvers of the phalanx. The Spartans, in particular, elevated disciplined drill to an unprecedented level.
In the 17th century, Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden played a pivotal role in the revival of skill in European warfare. His introduction of simplified drill techniques, adapted for improved weapons, became a model replicated throughout Europe. The article also highlights the significant contribution of Baron von Steuben during the American Revolution. At Valley Forge, he adapted Prussian techniques, infusing a less rigid drill system into the American military, attuned to the characteristics of the New World.
The 19th century witnessed a transformation in military tactics due to advancements in weapon technology. Parade ground maneuvers on the battlefield waned as soldiers had to adapt to spread out, take cover, and dig entrenchments during the American Civil War. The retention of close-order drill, despite changes, attests to its enduring value for ceremonies, moving large bodies of men on foot, and its foundational role in fostering teamwork and discipline for effective combat drill.
In essence, military drill is not just a sequence of movements; it is a dynamic and adaptive system that has evolved over centuries, influenced by the needs of warfare, advancements in technology, and the genius of military leaders such as Gustavus II Adolphus and Baron von Steuben. The interplay of historical events, strategic thinking, and the practicalities of combat has shaped the very essence of military drill, making it an integral component of armed forces worldwide.
