Formation Fitness

formation fitness
Is “center face” a facing movement?

In the US Army is “center face” a facing movement? I was taught in training that it was. During the end of a PT session we usually conduct cooldown in a circular formation. The Master Fitness Trainer of the week will either command “a left face” or a “center face” to us depending on who it is. Today the soldier next to me was upset when the MFT commanded “center face” and I told him that it was correct, but I than became more curious and decided to look it up and could not find anything.

The two part command Center, Face is used primarily and only at funerals for pallbearers to turn from either direction to face the casket. This is the only time this command as a preparatory and command of execution is used in accordance with the FM.

14-5. FUNERAL WITH CHAPEL SERVICE (FULL MILITARY HONORS)

c. As the conveyance comes into view, the NCOIC commands Escort, ATTENTION; Pallbearers, Center, FACE. He salutes until the conveyance stops in front of the chapel. On the command Center, FACE, the pallbearers face the designated arrival point of the conveyance.

http://rotc.okstate.edu/pdf/FM%203-21.5%20Drill%20and%20Ceremony.pdf

The correct command from a Circle Formation used as a PT or instructional formation is “Left, Face.”

(1) The instructor positions himself in front of the lead soldier in the lead squad and commands Circle formation, FOLLOW ME. The instructor double-times in a circle large enough for the formation and moves to the center of the circle. The members of the lead squad follow at an arms length plus 6 inches (approximately 40 inches total). The squad leaders of the following squads begin double-timing at the correct distance from the last soldier in the preceding squad without command. After the entire formation is in a circle, the instructor comes to the position of attention and commands Quick time, MARCH. The soldiers begin marching normally. The instructor then gives directives to individual soldiers and corrects the distance between them until each member is at approximately double arm interval.

(2) The instructor then commands the formation to Halt using the appropriate preparatory command.

(3) The instructor then commands Left, FACE. All personnel face toward the instructor. The formation is now ready for instruction.

(4) To return the formation to its original configuration, the instructor commands the formation to attention and commands FALL OUT, and then FALL IN. On the command FALL IN, all soldiers return to their original position in formation.

Good to know for your time at PLDC, BNCOC and ANCOC as everyone seems to forget the right commands after graduating either.

Basketball – quick feet : Fitness – Conditioning with Resistance Bands