Writer: Brigadier Ghulam Jilani, Retired

Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in its training regime, imparts basic knowledge of all military subjects which are further elaborated at different schools of instruction subsequently. However, drill is the only training activity which is taken to advanced level and then capped at passing out parade at PMA. A similar pattern is followed in all recruit training centres, with its finale in attestation parades.

Why is drill one of the most drilled training activities and why so much emphasis on it in PMA? To find the right answers, let us turn the leaves of history. Josephus, a First Century Jewish historian, testifies to the superiority of Roman discipline, and part of that discipline was an ordered method of moving formed up squads from one place to another. This discipline facilitates effective realisation of tactical man management, and the result is a superior fighting army. According to the British historical records "In ancient history, the most powerful, efficient and developed empires developed ways of moving organised units of troops from one place to another on the battlefield, without individuals getting mixed up with other units. A system of flags was developed so people could identify their own units (and side) on the field and make their way to the correct flag bearer if they got separated':

In what is called a Military Revolution in Europe, during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, the concept of standing armies under state control gained currency due to the requirements of discipline and emerging organisational changes. Hard training and drill therefore became extremely important to instill discipline and method in the rank and file of these modern armies. Europeans during the 17th Century, the period of industrialisation and subsequent colonisation, decided to raise regular armies and achieved a turnaround through drill and training.

The Spaniards between the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries perfected the movements of pike and musket through a high degree of exact drill and discipline; the secret of firepower and the ability to stand shock were combined with musket and pike wherein the musketeer would step back to reload after firing. The troops of Frederick the Great of Prussia, could move and manoeuvre with parade ground precision in the face of the enemy. Gustavus Adolphus, the King of Sweden in the Seventeenth Century realised that mobility was based largely on good discipline, he therefore subjected his new army to systematic drill, musketry and tactical training which resulted in the emergence of modern tactics.

The Europeans underscored the merits of drill and discipline and thus made their fighting machine gelled and efficient through practice of movements. They therefore institutionalised drill in their training regime to achieve discipline and efficiency. Mughals, rulers of the Sub-continent in the same period, did not have a proper system of enrolling or maintaining their army. According to Phillip Mason, Mughal armies combined almost every military vice. They were without discipline, they could not move swiftly or manoeuvre in the face of an enemy. Though these soldiers were brave, robust and had the necessary skills to use their weapons, essentially they were not trained, disciplined and organised especially against the Europeans who were attempting to establish their influence in India. The army of the declining Mughals and armies held by most of the sovereign states of India, except for a few like Tipu Sultan of Mysore ( whose army was trained by the French) were without any discipline and failed to move swiftly. It was precisely the time the French and British were competing on the soil of Bengal, to gain and consolidate their control during the trade war in India. Joseph-Francois Dupleix, who was the French governor of Pondicherry and Director General of the Compagnie in India, by 1746 formed, drilled, uniformed, armed and paid in French manner, two regiments of cypahes-(sepoys). The Directors of the East India Company (EIC) sent Robert Clive to India to head the private army of sepoys that he himself had helped recruit, drill and led into battle. While local armies failed to operate and manoeuvre in an organised and disciplined manner (which was possible through drill) the armies created under the banner of EIC swept powerfully across India by training the same men who were potentially soldiers8 and were available in abundance in the then anarchic India.

The lessons of history have gone into the DNA of PMA's training regime, which is incomplete without a Gentleman Cadet (GC) undergoing the rigours of drill. A question is incessantly raised about the efficacy of so much emphasis on drill. It further gains currency because drill is a non-graded activity and never is a GC penalised for not doing well in drill. But such is the acumen of drill instructors in PMA, that they never let any GC lag behind in the expression of discipline and exquisite drill movements.

For the past two years drill instructors of PMA have represented the Pakistan Army in an International Drill Competition at the Royal Military Academy (RMA) Sandhurst, and won it both the times. Athletic bodied and smartly turned out drill instructors exhibited immaculate drill movements. These are the same drill instructors who ingrain these movements in GCs during their training in PMA, in such a manner that they become instinctive. An officer commissioned from PMA never leads with his right step, before starting a journey of a hundred miles. Two retired officers never go out of step even on the morning walk. A drill instructor may be remembered for his harsh manner in PMA, but is always met with humility and respect by senior officers.

Drill therefore, is an essential training tool to transform a civilian into a disciplined officer or a soldier. Drill manifests military power and prowess during the ceremonial parade on 23^rd March every year, wherein the Armed Forces of Pakistan showcase their discipline, efficacy in handling weaponry and proficiency as trained outfits, to strike the fear of God into the hearts of the enemies of Pakistan. This exhibition of drill, discipline and professionalism instils pride and confidence in the nation that their Armed Forces are ready to meet all challenges.

The intrinsic worth of drill is not restricted to ceremonial activities alone. Modern military training requires delicate handling of contemporary weapon systems in which every member of the crew has a distinct and systematic task. These special tasks can only be grasped through perfection and repetition, like drill movements, so that they become intuitive in nature. Gun drills thus improve effectiveness of gunners.

OPERATION AL-MIZAN posed a different challenge to the training system of the Pakistan Army and accordingly required a change. But drill movements learnt during basic training facilitated officers and soldiers to overcome this challenge. Requisite movements were adapted and and practically applied in handling and positioning of weapons for a swift response to any unexpected situation. Drills on mounting and dismounting from vehicles were perfected to give a timely response against miscreants with required speed.

Overall response, discipline and understanding of procedures are possible only through drill, which programmes some basic movements in the software and hardware of the body that makes it a boon in the training regime of the Pakistan Army. It also helps develop those muscles which are fundamentally required in different tactical movements, thus a constructive physical activity.

 Results achieved by the Pakistan Army in RMA were possible through constant and never-ending improvements in drill movements at PMA. The kind of drill training imparted in PMA is still a subject of debate. Whereas, perfection in movements makes it an automated activity, however doing it with the energy that a drill instructor desires, may injure the bones and knees of a GC or a recruit. The challenge remains to find an appropriate via media between emphasis and overemphasis on drill.

Military history teaches us that drill is one of the most virtuous training activities which is essentially required, and is a force multiplier. It should be taken in the same spirit.