DAFPAM 34-1203: Air Force Drill and Ceremonies

DAFPAM 34-1203 is the Department of the Air Force Pamphlet on Drill and Ceremonies, the governing publication that standardizes how members of the Regular Air Force, United States Space Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard stand, march, salute, and conduct formal ceremonies. It also applies to accession programs including Basic Military Training, Officer Training School, Reserve Officer Training Corps, and the Air Force Academy.¹ Seven chapters take a reader from voice commands, through individual and flight movements, up to group and wing formations and the ceremonies most units perform.

Structure of the Pamphlet

The document is organized to move from small to large. Chapter 2 addresses how commands are given. Chapter 3 covers individual positions and movements. Chapter 4 handles flight drill. Chapters 5 and 6 scale those principles up to squadron, group, and wing formations. Chapter 7 covers ceremonies, including reveille, retreat, and change of command.

How Commands Are Given

Every command has two parts. The preparatory command tells the formation what it is about to do. The command of execution tells them when to do it. The preparatory command carries a rising inflection, usually peaking on the last syllable. The command of execution is pitched higher but flat, with no inflection.¹

While marching, the command of execution must land at the precise instant the correct heel strikes the ground. The pamphlet calls the combination of timing and confidence “snap,” the quality that produces an immediate response and signals control of the formation.¹ Projection comes from the diaphragm, not the throat.

Individual Positions and Movements

At the Position of Attention, heels are together and in line, feet turned out at a 45-degree angle, body motionless, head level, eyes forward. Hands are cupped naturally with thumbs along the trouser seams. Silence and immobility are required.¹

Parade Rest moves the left foot 12 inches to the left, measured from the inside of each heel. The right hand goes into the palm of the left behind the back, with the right thumb crossing over the left to form an X. At Ease permits limb movement as long as the right foot stays planted and the member remains silent.¹

Facings

Right Face and Left Face are 90-degree pivots. For a Right Face, the right toe and left heel rise slightly, then the body pivots on the left ball and right heel. Left Face mirrors it. About Face begins by placing the ball of the right foot about half a shoe length behind and slightly to the left of the left heel, then pivoting 180 degrees to the right.¹ Arms stay pinned to the sides throughout.

The Hand Salute

The hand salute is a two-count movement when trained on command. On count one, the right hand rises so the tip of the middle finger touches the front right corner of the headgear. Without a billed hat, the finger touches the outside corner of the right eyebrow, or the front corner of glasses if worn. The upper arm is horizontal, slightly forward of the body and parallel to the ground, with a straight line from fingertips to elbow and the palm tilted slightly toward the face. On count two, the hand returns crisply to the side.¹ Outside of training, salutes are rendered without commands whenever a member greets or is greeted by someone of higher rank.

Eyes Right

“Eyes, RIGHT” is typically given as a formation passes a reviewing stand. On the command of execution, every member except those on the right flank turns the head and eyes 45 degrees to the right. Both the preparatory command and the command of execution are given on the right foot while marching. Heads return to center on “FRONT,” which lands as the left foot strikes the ground.¹

Flight Drill: Interval, Cadence, and Column Movements

The flight is the basic formation unit, led by a flight commander with a guide who carries the guidon and sets the direction of march. Normal interval between individuals standing side by side is one arm’s length; close interval is four inches. “Dress Right, Dress” aligns the flight by having each member extend the right arm to set that interval.¹

All marching from a halt begins with the left foot on the command “Forward, MARCH.” Quick time uses a 24-inch step at 100 to 120 steps per minute. Double time increases to a 30-inch step at 180 steps per minute. “Mark Time, March” keeps cadence in place; the balls of the feet rise four inches off the ground while the formation stays put.¹

Column Right and Column Left change the direction of march. The guide and first rank set the turning path, and every rank behind follows. The guide performs the same movements as the fourth element leader, then adjusts at 45-degree angles to regain position in front of that element before half-stepping until the rest of the formation catches up. “Close, MARCH” tightens the file to close interval while the formation continues forward.¹

Open Ranks Inspection

“Open Ranks, MARCH” is used only when a flight is in line at normal interval. On execution, the first rank steps forward three paces, the second rank two, the third rank one, and the fourth stands fast. That produces 64 inches of distance between each rank, and every rank automatically executes Dress Right Dress once halted.¹

After aligning the formation and commanding “Ready, FRONT,” the flight commander reports to the inspector: “Sir/Ma’am, [name] Flight is prepared for inspection.” The flight commander then walks one pace to the right and one pace to the rear of the inspector, preceding the inspector down the front of each rank. Ranks not yet being inspected are placed at Parade Rest.¹

Squadron, Group, and Wing Formations

Chapters 5 and 6 apply the same interval, distance, alignment, and cadence standards to larger organizations. A squadron formation consists of multiple flights, each with its own flight commander and guidon. Group and wing formations multiply the coordination problem. Preparatory commands must be timed more carefully because sound takes longer to cross a larger formation, and a single flight drifting off cadence is visible to the entire reviewing stand.

Flag Protocol

The pamphlet’s procedures raise the flag briskly and lower it slowly. When folded, the flag ends in a tight triangle with only the blue field visible.²

Half-Staff

Federal law sets the mechanics of a half-staff display. The flag is first hoisted briskly to the peak, held there for an instant, and then lowered to the half-staff position, which is the midpoint between the top and bottom of the staff. Before it comes down for the day, it must be raised again to the peak. Presidential proclamations set the duration: 30 days for a president or former president, 10 days for the vice president, chief justice, or speaker of the House, and shorter periods for other officials. State governors may order half-staff for the death of state officials or service members from that state, and federal installations within that state must comply.³

Reveille, Retreat, and Change of Command

Reveille

Reveille marks the start of the official duty day. A flag detail of at least three people, a noncommissioned officer in charge and two flag handlers, attaches the flag to the halyard and raises it briskly to the top of the staff. The ceremony may take place at the base flagstaff or at a squadron area.¹

Retreat

Retreat closes the duty day and pays respect to the flag. At the first note of music the detail begins lowering the flag slowly, remains at the flagstaff until the music ends, then detaches and folds it. Personnel in formation stand at attention throughout. Anyone outdoors who hears the national anthem or “To the Color” faces the flag, or faces the music if the flag is not visible, and salutes.¹

Change of Command

Section 7D lays out the sequence: formation of troops, presentation and honors, inspection, any scheduled awards, the change of command itself, and a march in review. The pamphlet describes the ceremony as official, formal, brief, and conducted with great dignity, because the purpose is to let subordinates witness command authority transfer from one officer to another.¹

Three participants stand abreast facing the audience: presiding officer on the left, outgoing commander in the center, incoming commander on the right. A guidon bearer stands behind and between the presiding officer and outgoing commander. On a subdued command, all three face inward. The outgoing commander salutes and states, “Sir/Ma’am, I relinquish command,” takes the guidon from the bearer, and presents it to the presiding officer. The outgoing commander steps aside. The incoming commander steps forward, receives the guidon from the presiding officer, passes it to the bearer, salutes, and states, “Sir/Ma’am, I assume command.”¹

Guidon Positions

Chapter 5 defines three guidon positions. Order Guidon is the position of attention for the guidon bearer, with the staff held vertically and the ferrule resting on the ground beside the right shoe. Carry Guidon is used whenever the formation is in motion or executing facings and alignments, with the ferrule held about six inches off the ground. Present Guidon is the saluting position: on the preparatory command, the staff rises vertically until the right arm is fully extended, with the left hand crossing the chest to guide it; on execution, the guidon lowers straight to the front with the right arm extended and the staff in the crook of the arm, and the left hand cuts smartly back to the side.¹

What the Pamphlet Does Not Cover

DAFPAM 34-1203 sets standards for standard drill and ceremonial units. Honor guard ceremonial rifle drill, including the specialized firing party movements used at funerals and retreat details, operates under separate procedures published by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Those procedures cover items like the six-count “Ready, FACE,” the seven-count “Ready” for the first two volleys, and the required pre-ceremony dry-firing sequence.⁴ If you are preparing for an honor guard detail, the pamphlet is the foundation but not the full reference.

1
Department of the Air Force. DAFPAM 34-1203 – Drill and Ceremonies
2
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Correct Method of Folding the United States Flag
3
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 4 USC 7 – Position and Manner of Display
4
United States Air Force Honor Guard. United States Air Force Honor Guard Training Guide