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The development of light Infantry or Rifle Drill resulted from the practical aims of ingraining alertness, eliminating
unnecessary movements, minimising fatigue and being ready for action; ways suited to the battlefield as opposed to ceremony.
It was found that heavy Infantry drill was characterised by exaggerated movements, long pauses between movements,
stamping of feet, slapping of the rifles and crashing of rifle butts to the parade square. It was found that this style of drill had no place in Light Infantry or Rifle Regiments.
Both men and weapons of the Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments were too highly regarded to permit such "abuses". Noise was avoided because it could give a position away to the enemy. A relic of the pike-carrying days, the "slope-arms", with the rifle carried on the left shoulder with muzzle pointed upward at an angle so the weapon posed no danger to the comrade behind, has never been used by Rifle Regiments, because it was an unnecessary drill movement and it made the man conspicuous.
The command "attention" is never used. Riflemen were left at the "stand easy" to avoid fatigue caused by standing at a rigid position. On the cautionary "look/stand to your front" they come to the "at ease" position and to "attention" on the order "party, guard, platoon, company, battalion or Light Infantry/Rifles" as appropriate. This was done to instil into all Light Infantrymen and Riflemen the need to be alert at all times.
The need to move quickly in recce or rearguard actions, or to form a screen, required fast marching and occasional double marching. As compared to the regular infantry pace of 120 per minute, the Light Infantry or Rifle pace is 140 per minute. On ceremonial parades march pasts are done in both quick and double time, the latter 180 paces to the minute. The Light Division and other Light Infantry units in the Peninsular War routinely carried out marches over long distances - at a pace far quicker than the rest of the Army. By doubling five paces and then marching five paces, it was found that distances could be covered quickly. The Light Division was famous for its march to Talavera in 1809 - covering 250 miles in 6 days. Sadly they arrived one day late. At the Battle of Fuentes De Onoro, the Light Division was able to out manoeuvre the French cavalry, whilst under fire by its speed of withdrawal under fire and then rapidly form squares from their column of route using classic Light Infantry tactics.
Avoiding unnecessary commands and demonstrating alertness and quickness, in close order drill on the order "quick (or double) march" Riflemen come directly to the 'trail' and step off with the rifle held balanced in the right hand and parallel to the ground, a position suited to movement in battle. Subsequently, on the order "halt", rifles are returned to the 'order' without further command. On sentry duty, the rifle was cradled close to the body on the left forearm, called the 'carry' (sometimes called the 'cradle'), a comfortable position where the rifle is ready for instant use. The 'march at ease' position with the rifle slung over the right shoulder, muzzle down, a comfortable position, which is less fatiguing and which protected the barrel from the rain, was originated by the Rifle Regiments.
In 2001, the BBC/ACE filmed "TATOO" - a short 9 minute film that used soldiers from A Company The 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry conducting drill movements on the Salisbury Plain. To view an short clip and find out more, click here.
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