COURSE SYLLABUS
2015/2016 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE NAME: Drill Competition Team (A Hour)
INSTRUCTOR: Chief Master Sergeant Donald Staflin, USAF (RET). I can be reached
At the office between 0700 hrs (7am) – 1530 hrs (3:30pm) Monday-Friday @ 480-4723055. Leave a message if we do not answer and we will return your call within 24 hours.
REQUIRED TEXTS: AFMAN 36-2203, Personnel Drill and Ceremonies;
FM 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies; Inter-service Cross-Index Drill Manual
COURSE DISCRIPTION: This year long course prepares cadets, (all year groups), to
participate in regulation and exhibition drill competitions with other AFJROTC units and
units from sister services. A cadet must be enrolled in an AS/LE course to participate in
A Hour Drill Team activities. It is a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT that ALL cadets
enrolled in A hour attends all scheduled Drill Meets. Twenty-five grade points will be
deducted for each unexcused drill meet a cadet misses. The AFJROTC Instructors are
the only individuals authorized to excuse a cadet from a drill meet.
REQUIRED MATERIALS/SKILLS: Imagination, motivation, communicative skills,
willingness to learn, self-initiative and a desire to succeed.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Drill and Ceremonies, AFMAN 36-2203:
1. Know the importance of drill and ceremonies
2. Know basic commands and characteristics of the command voice
3. Apply and execute the concepts and principles of basic drill positions and
movements.
4. Know when and how to salute.
5. Apply the principles and procedures of drill movements used with smaller units to
the movement of a squadron.
6. Know the function of the group and the wing.
7. Know how groups and wings are formed
8. Know the purpose and definition of ceremonies and parades.
Drill Competition Training Requirements:
1. Know general/specific rules and guidelines of each sponsored drill meet
2. Apply procedures for Drill Rifle safety and security.
3. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of Chain of Command, Flag etiquette, Military
Customs and Courtesies, and Specific Drill Team Routine.
4. Understand the importance of working as a team and self sacrifice.
5.
Exemplify the Air Force Core Values.
UNIFORM DAY: Wednesday of each week is dedicated as "UNIFORM WEAR
DAY". Designated uniforms must be worn unless excused by the SASI/ASI. Grade
points will be deducted every Thursday that a cadet fails to wear the uniform. The
special uniform items worn to enhance each specific competitive team must be worn
during all Drill Meets. Cadets may change out of uniform during drill practice in order to
maintain the quality and lifespan of the uniform.
ATTENDANCE POLICY AND TARDIES: The expectation for each drill practice is
that every drill team member will do whatever they can to make 100% of the scheduled
practices. Knowing this, I want you to be aware of the drill team’s attendance policy
(decided upon by the drill team commanders). Up to 5 unexcused absences and/or 8 late
arrivals (arriving within 15 mins of practice start time) in a semester, will result in
dismissal from the drill team. Further, any unexcused absence will result in a zero for
that week’s grade & any late arrival will result in a 20% deduction from the cadet’s
weekly grade. Attendance is mandatory for all drill meets. A cadet is allowed one
excused absence from a drill meet during the calendar year. Any unexcused absence, or
2 excused absences will result in permanent dismissal from the drill team.
ASSIGNMENTS: Although no official homework or assignments are given for this
class, you are responsible to spend time learning your assigned routine. A Hour provides
formal training but does not provide ample time to make you competitive. You must
spend time on your own to practice and sharpen your skills.
CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT: Refer to the Cadet Guide.
EXAMS: All evaluations given for A Hour are Performance/Demonstration based.
There are no point values to each exam. All exams are graded on a GO / NO GO
philosophy. Either you know and can demonstrate it or you cannot.
EXTRA CREDIT: No extra credit will be provided in this class.
GRADING POLICY: Quarter and Semester grades will be comprised by points
accumulated by each cadet in the following areas:
Drill Meet Attendance
Participation
Conduct
Trainability
Grading Scale: Letter grade will be determined by the total accumulation of points at
the end of each Quarter and each Semester. Total points accumulated must equate to
60% of the total points available to achieve a passing grade. Letter grades are as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
90% - 100%
80% - 89.9%
70% - 79.9%
60% - 69.9%
Less than 60%
SCHEDULE: Classes will meet in the AFJROTC building, R14, every day by 0700 hrs.
It is mperative that you show up at the classroom on time to obtain equipment and
necessary items for practice.
IMPORTANT NOTE: “Your overall grades will determine if you are cut from the
team. If you are failing at the Progress Report Time, you will be placed on
probation. You may still compete during this time but, you will be watched closely
academically. If you are failing any class during Quarter Grade time you are
ineligible to compete. You will be put on continued probation for the first quarter
you fail and will be cut from the team and dropped from A hour for any subsequent
failure. When the drop request is submitted to the Registration office you will be
given a grade of WF or WP (WF – Withdraw Fail and WP – Withdraw Pass). If
you are passing all classes at either the progress check or Quarter Grade Report,
you will be taken off probation and are cleared to compete!