The personnel marking the field will be the coordinating senior(s), the cadet commander and cadet XO (who traditionally fills the adjutant role at pass-in-review, otherwise the adjutant attends). See the picture below for the initial marking.
One person measures out the lines and spots in the diagram above. Be sure to step out the paces exactly as in the diagram- this is the basis of all other measurements. Although for smaller encampments, the cadets may seem miles away from the stands, the measurements are in place to allow enough time for the flights to make their turns and perform their commands.
The ready line is further from the reviewing party than the final line. Although there is no regulatory guideline on this, 20 paces is a good measure, as it gives just enough distance to perform the forward march that early in the parade sequence.
When painting the ready and final lines, have two people stand at each end of the line. One person and a visible tall objects such as a box or cone can be used as well. Don't use flat objects- a notebook will become invisible on grass at 100+ paces. These two people/person tells the painter to move left or right while painting the line to avoid drifting. Unless you use a string, no human can walk and paint in a straight line (parallel with the reviewing stand no less) without help.
Once the lines and corners are marked, then pace off the adjutant's spot and commander's spot. A helpful marking (if possible) is a dotted line path for the command staff to march from the lower left corner of the diagram to the spot in the center of the field. See the yellow dotted line in the picture above. A similar dotted path for the adjutant is needed. The adjutant initally marches onto the final line, all the way to the far right of the picture. Spot #2 in the picture above is 6 paces to the right of the rightmost flight in the formation. The dotted line starts from that point to the adjutant's spot in the center of the field.
The cadets in flight can participate in this as well, as it will ensure 100% accurate marking; however it will be incredibly boring for them, since marking takes so long and all they do is stand (not to mention up to this point no one has practiced this). Otherwise, the pass in review staff will guesstimate the distances. Asking each flight commander to pace their flights when in line formation with the guidon bearer in the proper position (ref: Flight CC's handbook, Attach. 13) ahead of time is a good idea.
Mark each spot in a less than permanent way- if the cadets in flight aren't there. This way, the spots can be fine-tuned when the in-flight cadets are actually there. Once you are convinced it is set, then paint large letters for the guidon bearer and flight commander ("A" for Alpha flight, etc.), and numbers and/or letters for the group and/or squadron commanders. Spots for their guidon bearers are not necessary, as they are right next to the commander.
Continuously under construction- last updated 26 MAR 2000.
© 2000 Webmaster: val_n_andy@hotmail.com - Captain Andrew Welsh