Drill

Drill is a general name for the exercises by which soldiers and sailors are made efficient. In the army, there are three classes of drill. First, 'setting-up' and 'gymnastic' drill, to improve the physical development of the recruit; secondly, sword, lance, and bayonet exercises, gun-drill, riding, driving, signalling, shelter-trench, and repository drill (the technical name for shifting heavy ordnance), &c., to teach him to handle his arms, horse, or tools to the best advantage; thirdly, marching, squad, company, squadron, battery, battalion and brigade drill, &c., to enable the men composing these various bodies to act together. A system of musical drill was introduced into the British army in 1887; various evolutions being performed to the sound of music, without any words of command. An ordinary recruit requires about four months' drill to become efficient in the infantry, two years in the cavalry, and three in the artillery. In the navy, the drills vary in the same way with the nature of the duties required. Manuals of every kind of drill have been prepared for both services.