Continuing my series on drill and ceremonies, this is the forth installment. Links to the previous:
- Understanding the Definition and Types of Military Drill
- Understanding the Purpose of Military Drill
- Understanding the Benefits of Military Drill
Those who disagree with this article series will scoff, dismiss, and immediately jump on the logical fallacy ship and probably won’t even know they are doing it. Here are some arguments against the modern warfighter performing D&C today.
Yesterday, I addressed one logical fallacy, the non sequitur, that is most often used to justify one’s stance against the continuation of D&C in military training. Let’s explore more and see that they can be used on both sides of the argument.
The Logical Fallacies
- Appeal to Tradition:
- This argument suggests that because drill and ceremonies has always been a part of military training, it should continue to be so, regardless of the relevance in modern warfare.
- Not my stance at all. See Benefits, above.
- False Dichotomy: This argument presents a false choice between being an effective warfighter and adhering to drill and ceremonies. It implies that one cannot be both, which is not necessarily true.
- Straw Man: This argument misrepresents the position of those who support drill and ceremonies by suggesting they believe these practices are the only way to achieve discipline and coordination (equaling lethality).
- Ad Hominem:
- This argument attacks the character of those who support drill and ceremonies, rather than addressing the merits of the practice itself.
- This can also go the other way. It’s wholly unnecessary to malign those who have no concept of the relevance of D&C in the modern era.
- Slippery Slope:
- This argument suggests that if drill and ceremonies is not performed, it will lead to a complete breakdown of discipline and effectiveness in the military, which is an exaggerated consequence.
- Also, not my stance. There will be a breakdown, but I do not believe it will be total. See Benefits, above.
A Specific and Ignorant Argument
I received this woefully ignorant response from an individual on LinkedIn. I tire of the arguments thrown at me by the arrogant. Comments like this end up being antagonistic and now I’ve learned that the comment and thread was deleted by the comment’s author. That’s intellectual cowardice by an Army officer.
“The Spectacle of War: Why Drill & Ceremony is an Antiquated Relic
Drill and ceremony is a time-honored tradition, but in the age of modern warfare, it is as useful as a musket at a drone fight. The Marine Corps-and indeed, much of the U.S. military-clings to D&C like a security blanket, believing it instills discipline, cohesion, and tradition.
War Is Not a Parade! In the 21st century, war is asymmetric, irregular, and largely fought in the shadows. The battles of tomorrow won’t be won on the parade deck but in cyberspace, the information sphere, and through unconventional tactics that defy traditional doctrine.
Yes, discipline matters. But discipline in combat comes from realistic training under pressure, not from marching in formation. Consider elite forces like Delta or the SAS-do they spend hours perfecting their cadence?
The Pageantry of Nostalgia: D&C is, at its core, a vestige of an era when wars were fought in neat formations, muskets were the height of military technology, and officers could observe the battlefield from horseback. But Napoleon is dead, and so is linear warfare. Today’s conflicts are fought by decentralized units, autonomous systems, and hybrid forces. Adapt, or Die!”
The Response
This thinking is just downright idiotic. I’m not saying the individual is an idiot, I do not know him and making such a judgment would be inappropriate. It’s the argument that is nonsensical and here’s why.
The argument presented against drill and ceremony (D&C) relies on a flawed understanding of its purpose and a narrow view of military effectiveness. While modern warfare has certainly evolved, D&C remains a valuable tool for cultivating crucial attributes in service members, even in the 21st century. D&C is the foundation. The foundation of what we do that follows: warfighting.
D&C is Not Just About Parades: The author equates D&C with “marching in formation” and “pageantry of nostalgia,” reducing it to a mere spectacle. This misses the point. D&C is a means to an end, not the end itself. The repetitive drills and precise movements instill:
- Discipline: D&C requires strict adherence to orders and meticulous attention to detail. This translates directly to the disciplined execution of complex tasks in any environment, including chaotic combat situations. It’s about mental discipline, not just physical coordination.
- Teamwork and Cohesion: Synchronized movements demand absolute trust and reliance on fellow service members. D&C fosters unit cohesion, building the “esprit de corps” essential for effective teamwork under pressure. Knowing your buddy will execute their part flawlessly is crucial in combat, and D&C reinforces this.
- Respect for Authority and Tradition: D&C reinforces the chain of command and instills respect for the traditions and history of the armed forces. This is vital for maintaining order and unit integrity, especially in stressful situations. It connects modern service members to the legacy of those who served before them.
Discipline is Foundational: The author claims combat discipline comes only from “realistic training under pressure.” While such training is crucial, it’s built upon the foundation of basic discipline instilled through activities like D&C. You can’t effectively train complex combat maneuvers without first establishing fundamental discipline and responsiveness to orders. D&C is the bedrock upon which more advanced training is built. Elite units, while not focusing on parade drills, still rely on the underlying principles of discipline and teamwork that D&C helps to cultivate.
Adaptation Doesn’t Mean Abandonment: The “adapt or die” mantra is valid, but it doesn’t necessitate throwing out everything old. D&C is not about preparing for Napoleonic warfare; it’s about developing essential character traits that are timeless in their value to military effectiveness. Just as physical fitness remains crucial despite changes in weaponry, so too does the discipline and cohesion fostered by D&C.
D&C was directly used on the battlefield in the 1700s and earlier. We no longer use all of those tactics, but we do use some with a modern twist at the squad level. That does not equate to completely disregarding all of drill and ceremonies. It is still the foundation of everything else we do.
Beyond the Battlefield: The benefits of D&C extend beyond direct combat. It plays a vital role in ceremonies, public events, and the overall representation of the armed forces plus the myriad of benefits I have already addressed in previous installments. It reinforces the image of a professional, disciplined, and capable military, which is essential for maintaining public support and deterring potential adversaries.
In conclusion, while the nature of warfare evolves, the fundamental principles of discipline, teamwork, and respect for tradition remain essential. D&C, when properly understood and implemented, is a valuable tool for cultivating these attributes, even in the age of cyber warfare and unconventional tactics. It’s not an antiquated relic, but a foundational element of military training that continues to contribute to the effectiveness of modern armed forces. Now, go back and read each installment of this series, the DrillMaster white paper on the Importance of Drill and Ceremonies.
Wrap Up
In this installment I gave various logical fallacies related to the argument about the relevance of drill and ceremonies in modern military training and one specific argument. The argument for D&C is not that we need to have every member of every service in formation and marching every single day. That would not be an effective use of time. We do, however, need to make time on a consistent regular basis to ensure we are maintaining standards.
The next installment is Understanding the History and Current Problems with Military Drill.