Before The Event
Memorize the Manual of Exercise
Know the order of the commands and be familiar with the drill so that you can
teach any new recruits how to drill safely in the line. Be aware of the unit’s
non-manual commands, such as unfixing bayonets and the search arms procedure.
It is also important to know how to post and remove sentries, as this duty is
often required of the NCOs.
Reread our safety regulations
You are a safety officer of the unit, you must be familiar with our regulations!
Be sure your own gear is clean and safe
No need to be a toy soldier but an NCO’s appearance should be soldierly and
neat. As safety inspectors for the group it is important to set a safe example
with your own gear.
Check in with the commanding officer for last minute instructions
Events often have special circumstances that you may need to familiar with.
Read up on the history of the event
As an NCO you will often be called upon to speak to the public. It will pay
off if you know about the site the event is at and what happened there as well
as the usual questions you should be prepared for.
Setting Up Camp
Know how to set up camp
The camp site will sometimes force changes, but normally we use the same layout
everywhere. The usual camp set up is two straight rows of enlisted tents, with
the officers tent behind and center. Behind the officers tent is our cook tent.
If we are falling in on an existing tent line with other units, try to match
their line in an military appearance.
Try to arrive early
There is no worse feeling for a new recruit than to sit around waiting for the
officers and NCOs to arrive. The real world may interfere, but it should be
your goal to be early to each event you attend.
Keep a list of our members as they arrive
This list is also a good place to keep notes on who needs help with gear or
drill.
In The Morning
Make sure the camp coordinator has all the help they require
This is crucial all day long. Camp duties should be evenly distributed and not
be neglected. Running the camp is hard enough with help, without enough help
it is very difficult.
Give any new recruits their safety and basic drill training
The safety regulations require that we be sure of the abilities of everyone
in the line to drill safely. Likewise it is important to get new recruits out
in the field quickly so that they can enjoy the hobby to the fullest. That makes
it imperative to hold a morning session of drill with recruits and other members
who need practice. Be sure any recruit can perform safely before you let them
out in the line.
Give the line any special drill instructions required for the event
Often at events special maneuvers are planned. Brief the line for what to expect.
Nothing disorders the line more than surprise commands. They want to do it right
and look sharp, it annoys them to look stupid.
Conduct morning safety inspections
Search arms, and look for obvious safety violations in gear and weapons.
Before the tactical or drill
Check cartridge boxes for dummy rounds, practice rounds, and live rounds
This is obvious but important! I have seen several people over the years try
to load demonstration cartridges. Thank god I have never seen a live round other
than at a live firing event!
Check for last minute arrivals that have not been inspected
Check their weapons and search arms. Know who they are. Are they safe?
Make a last minute check for hammer stalls and flash guards
No surprises. Even a recruit should know what they are and what they do.
During the tactical
Keep you eyes open!
You must not become too caught up in the display. You have to look for misfires,
safety violations and equipment failures at all times.
Keep your cool
Even though it is not real some people get themselves worked up anyway. Watch
for this and try to keep the line calm and professional at all times.
After the tactical
Perform the search arms
It is vital that no one returns to camp loaded! A recruit may not even know
if they are loaded or not. Always search arms after any firing.
Collect all unfired ammo and return it to the ammo box
No one should be wandering around camp with cartridges after a drill. If we
are going out again promptly then secure all cartridge boxes together rather
than emptying them.
Find out who was consistently misfiring and why
This is especially important for recruits who will have no clue what to do to
make the musket fire consistently next time.
Review any problems that occurred
If there were problems with drill or orders resolve them immediately. There
is no point to letting problems drag on. It can only discourage the line.
If the unit is done for the day, clean the muskets!
A field cleaning on Saturday night will greatly improve the chance of a musket
firing on Sunday.
Always
Remember that everyone is a volunteer
May an NCO or Officer has lost the respect of their unit by forgetting
that their members are not really in the army. They only listen to you because
you make sense, not because they have to. Never forget this.
Pay special attention to the new members
New members have the most fun, but they are also the ones to watch closest.
They only learn as they go, no matter how competent they look, they have big
holes in what they know.
Have fun yourself!
It is far too easy to treat being an NCO like work. It is an added responsibility
but it does not mean you cannot have fun. You must split the work up between
the NCOs, Officers, and responsible members, so that everyone, you included,
has fun. Do not burn yourself out! That is an order!
