Page 12 - QDG 2023

Drill practice Some find the slope arms easier than others
The Standard Party
Rehearsals night and day
Capturing a moment in history
Eeeeeeyes Right!
Op Golden Orb
On the 26th of April 2023, the RAC descended upon the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to start their rehearsals. Apart from the standard parties which were accommodated in slightly less salubrious accommodation, the marching contingent was in Victory Building. For many these first few days took them straight back to the drill lessons of Phase 1, with screaming CSgts and uncoordinated limbs. After the initial bluster of lost rank slides, missed braces and smashed boots the training began in earnest. What followed were blistered feet and erratic weather as we marched up and down the square in scorching sun and shivering showers. By the left, QUICK MARCH!
The QDG, leading the RAC contingent as the Senior Cavalry Regiment of the Line, had nowhere to hide. leading the
RAC contingent. We quickly nailed the basic drill movements and moved on to the more complicated ones. A new drill movement was devised to counter the garden gate of Buckingham Palace being too small for 12 soldiers in open order. This baffled everyone involved, with senior officers having to learn to count again and the soldiers not standing on the spurs of the officers ahead. All RAC units persevered, to different standards! The QDG aced it and demonstrated to all the 12 to 6s movement.
The RAC officers’ sword drill lesson was an occasion to remember. With different traditions, hooked or loose scabbards and a few trapped fingers we finally were in sync. Just in time to put all our hard work to the test at the first day time rehearsal at RAF Odiham. On the open expanse of airfield on a brisk and
misty day, all three Armed Forces came together for the first integrated rehearsal. All witnessed by the Guardsmen lining the runway with flags (emulating The Mall) as different units changed step and, as the RAC caught up with the RAF, they proceeded to conduct drill movement at half the pace as everyone else. All of this with the Marshalls (Senior Guards Officers) running around trying to corral us.
Following some remedial drill back at RMAS, the QDG and the remainder of the RAC contingent prepared uniform, boots and weapons (Swords and Rifles) for the London Night-time rehearsal. This was not just to finalise the drill, but the logistical movement of getting all compo- nent parts into central London by train in full uniform. It was an incredibly long night for all involved, departing Farn-