Now when I was in, I always remember hearing the old adage that "We need to bring back the old Naval Drill and do away with this Army up 6 down 6 garbage". Now from my understanding at some point between 68-71 with Unification having come to pass, the old drill and ceremonial of the old services was replaced with the current system, however I was wondering, how has drill in Canada's Defense Services evolved over time?
A few tidbits that I've been told over time:
Victorian Era:
Militia(Permanent): While performing drill, feet were dragged across the ground in a sharp motion(similar to the D&C used by the modern US Army). When marching arms were to be swung in a natural motion, and saluting could be performed with either hand(as dictated by which hand was closer to the officer in question). Also sometime during the 1870's/1880's saluting went from palm down to palm up.
Royal Navy(Canadians serving therein):
While performing drill, feet were dragged across the ground in a sharp motion(similar to the D&C used by the modern US Navy). When marching arms were to be swung in a natural motion, and saluting by ratings was performed by "knuckling the forehead", while officers removed their head dress. At some point during the 1880's/1890's a naval salute with the palm facing down was authorized, however both hands could be used(the hand chosen, was to be the one closest to the officer).
WW1:
CEF & RCN: Drill did not change among the services, however in 1917 a general directive was issued to British, Dominion and all Empire Servicemen that saluting with the left hand was to be abolished. Also, due to the increase of personnel in uniform, saluting off of military installations was all but abolished.
1938-1939:
Lifting of the leg and swinging ones arms at breast pocket level was introduced in the Army. No changes to Naval Service or Air Force.
1946-68:
Army: Used a system of drill similar to what we know today to be modern drill(with some modifications).
Navy: Used a system of drill similar to what we would refer to as modern "shipboard drill".
Air Force: Used a hybrid system, of swinging arms breast pocket high, while sliding feet in a sharp manner.
A few tidbits that I've been told over time:
Victorian Era:
Militia(Permanent): While performing drill, feet were dragged across the ground in a sharp motion(similar to the D&C used by the modern US Army). When marching arms were to be swung in a natural motion, and saluting could be performed with either hand(as dictated by which hand was closer to the officer in question). Also sometime during the 1870's/1880's saluting went from palm down to palm up.
Royal Navy(Canadians serving therein):
While performing drill, feet were dragged across the ground in a sharp motion(similar to the D&C used by the modern US Navy). When marching arms were to be swung in a natural motion, and saluting by ratings was performed by "knuckling the forehead", while officers removed their head dress. At some point during the 1880's/1890's a naval salute with the palm facing down was authorized, however both hands could be used(the hand chosen, was to be the one closest to the officer).
WW1:
CEF & RCN: Drill did not change among the services, however in 1917 a general directive was issued to British, Dominion and all Empire Servicemen that saluting with the left hand was to be abolished. Also, due to the increase of personnel in uniform, saluting off of military installations was all but abolished.
1938-1939:
Lifting of the leg and swinging ones arms at breast pocket level was introduced in the Army. No changes to Naval Service or Air Force.
1946-68:
Army: Used a system of drill similar to what we know today to be modern drill(with some modifications).
Navy: Used a system of drill similar to what we would refer to as modern "shipboard drill".
Air Force: Used a hybrid system, of swinging arms breast pocket high, while sliding feet in a sharp manner.
