French Commands at LHQ?

DrillGOD822 · 30th July 2010, 15:49

Hey guys, and idea hit me and I tried looking it up in CATOs but couldn't find it anywhere so I came to Cadet World to see if you guys have an answer...or a suggestion. Is there something wrong in calling French drill commands at your LHQ (in English speaking provinces)? I know that I have to teach my flight just the basic commands like "Garde a vous" and "en place repos" but is there something wrong in teaching your cadets the french commands?

Jabrwock · 30th July 2010, 15:58

My RSM did a demo for this past ACR that involved him directing the seniors through a drill demo entirely in French.

A question though, is this for a French "squad" within your corps, a nod to a French-speaking RO, for "interest" purposes? I'm curious why this is coming up, and why you think it might be a problem.

GWP · 30th July 2010, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrillGOD822

Hey guys, and idea hit me and I tried looking it up in CATOs but couldn't find it anywhere so I came to Cadet World to see if you guys have an answer...or a suggestion. Is there something wrong in calling French drill commands at your LHQ (in English speaking provinces)? I know that I have to teach my flight just the basic commands like "Garde a vous" and "en place repos" but is there something wrong in teaching your cadets the french commands?

Canada is a bilingual country with English and French as official languages. Any initiative to introduce and use the other language is a good thing. There are corps/squadrons have "french language" or "english language" nights just as CSTCs will have a day.

**J-P Johnson** · 30th July 2010, 16:25

There is nothing wrong with it but consider that your first-year cadets will - for at least part of the year - have difficulty with commands in english, let alone throwing french at them.

If you are going to do it, save it for the latter part of the year. It is far easier for them to do it correctly if they are only trying to figuring out what the words are that you are saying without then having to figure out how to make their body do the movement.

N. McKay · 30th July 2010, 18:39

Nothing at all wrong with it.

My unit does it every fourth week, with no difficulties at all.

DrillGOD822 · 30th July 2010, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-P Johnson

There is nothing wrong with it but consider that your first-year cadets will - for at least part of the year - have difficulty with commands in english, let alone throwing french at them.

If you are going to do it, save it for the latter part of the year. It is far easier for them to do it correctly if they are only trying to figuring out what the words are that you are saying without then having to figure out how to make their body do the movement.

Will take in consideration sir. The thing is, my CO recently put me in charge as Flight Commander from Flag Party Flag Escort to Alpha Flight Commander. Alpha Flight is usually formed up of the more "senior" cadets; mostly Corporals, some Flight Corporals and now 2 or 3 Sergeants. Thank you for the advice!

**J-P Johnson** · 30th July 2010, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrillGOD822

Alpha Flight is usually formed up of the more "senior" cadets; mostly Corporals, some Flight Corporals and now 2 or 3 Sergeants. Thank you for the advice!

Why only "senior" cadets?

ctjj.stevenson · 31st July 2010, 07:51

I would encourage the practice of using French commands every once in a while.

Send me (thru a personal message) a list of the orders that you wish to us, and I will translate them for you.

Good day!

**luvin-cadets** · 31st July 2010, 09:59

I have a full sheet, front and back of french commmands that I got on SLC

I find them a lot more difficult to call!

dohmaticshrooms · 1st August 2010, 11:24

Wrong? I don't think it's wrong at all to teach them. But to use them, leave it up to your CO's discretion. Some may have difficulty in learning them and make mistakes (even ones in parade positions).

And of course, that may not look best on an important parade, or even a CO's parade. However, good idea nonetheless.

DrillGOD822 · 1st August 2010, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-P Johnson

Why only "senior" cadets?

I'm not quite sure because I've just been placed as the Commander to that flight. I've heard rumors that Alpha Flight is like a model to how the recruits should be towards Bravo? Either way I'm not quite sure but there are several ACs and LACs in Alpha so I'm happy because of that

Eng · 16th August 2010, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvin-cadets

I have a full sheet, front and back of french commmands that I got on SLC

I find them a lot more difficult to call!

lol I would only say they're harder to call without singing the command.

Huet · 18th August 2010, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eng

lol I would only say they're harder to call without singing the command.

I don't think so - there is still the cautionary and executive commands. You yell the cautionary, pause, and then yell the executive. Its no different than in english if you know how to properly pronounce the words.

Andy · 28th August 2010, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvin-cadets

I have a full sheet, front and back of french commmands that I got on SLC

I find them a lot more difficult to call!

As a bilingual cadet that went through cadets completely in english, learning french commands is fairly taxing - mostly because you can't translate your english commands - you basically have to learn them all again.

**luvin-cadets** · 28th August 2010, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eng

lol I would only say they're harder to call without singing the command.

So true!
I can call some of them well now, but others, I still have difficulties with :P

DrillGOD822 · 28th August 2010, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvin-cadets

I have a full sheet, front and back of french commmands that I got on SLC

I find them a lot more difficult to call!

Well you're only using the "general ones" ... I mean, they're all "general" but the basic commands during opening parade at my squadron, I would only use: Section Alpha Garde-a-Vous, Emplace repos, repos, Escouade ouvrez les rangs marche, Escouade fermez les rangs marche...and that's about it (?)

**luvin-cadets** · 29th August 2010, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrillGOD822

Well you're only using the "general ones" ... I mean, they're all "general" but the basic commands during opening parade at my squadron, I would only use: Section Alpha Garde-a-Vous, Emplace repos, repos, Escouade ouvrez les rangs marche, Escouade fermez les rangs marche...and that's about it (?)

yeah exactly!
not like your using single file from thr right, remainder quick march...etc, thats a mouthful in french!

And you would use eyes right and eyes front on a march past if you did say a CO's parade in french, etc.

DrillGOD822 · 30th August 2010, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvin-cadets

yeah exactly!
not like your using single file from thr right, remainder quick march...etc, thats a mouthful in french!

And you would use eyes right and eyes front on a march past if you did say a CO's parade in french, etc.

That's true :P We're in an English speaking province so not that we shouldn't learn the french commands and/or know them (it'll be good for the cadets (junior-wise) wherever they go) but the more complex commands. Saying them in English even if it's like a French night at your LHQ, I think it's understandable ;P

**luvin-cadets** · 30th August 2010, 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrillGOD822

That's true :P We're in an English speaking province so not that we shouldn't learn the french commands and/or know them (it'll be good for the cadets (junior-wise) wherever they go) but the more complex commands. Saying them in English even if it's like a French night at your LHQ, I think it's understandable ;P

Not gonna lie, before SL, I had NEVER used french commands, I kinda wish I knew them before SLC so I could of used them right away!
My squadron is all english! I have a friend from SL, and her sqn is bilingual, and the shoulder flashes, some people have english, some people have french! PS. French shoulder flashes look pretty cool

DrillGOD822 · 30th August 2010, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvin-cadets

Not gonna lie, before SL, I had NEVER used french commands, I kinda wish I knew them before SLC so I could of used them right away!
My squadron is all english! I have a friend from SL, and her sqn is bilingual, and the shoulder flashes, some people have english, some people have french! PS. French shoulder flashes look pretty cool

Hahahahahaha Well I knew some commands prior to SL but not everything. And yes, french shoulder flashes look awesome. I don't know if you've seen the insignias on their wedge, but they look neat. It was nice to compare things during intake at SL LOL :P

30th July 2010, 15:49	#1
DrillGOD822 Join Date: 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Gender: Posts: 238 Blog Entries: 6	French Commands at LHQ? Hey guys, and idea hit me and I tried looking it up in CATOs but couldn't find it anywhere so I came to Cadet World to see if you guys have an answer...or a suggestion. Is there something wrong in calling French drill commands at your LHQ (in English speaking provinces)? I know that I have to teach my flight just the basic commands like "Garde a vous" and "en place repos" but is there something wrong in teaching your cadets the french commands? __________________ Flight Sergeant Darius Secasan ~Drill Team Commander~ Royal Canadian Air Cadets 822 "TUTOR" Porro Ago Licentia Of Volatilis!

30th July 2010, 15:58	#2
Jabrwock Join Date: 2008 Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada Gender: Posts: 1,454	My RSM did a demo for this past ACR that involved him directing the seniors through a drill demo entirely in French. A question though, is this for a French "squad" within your corps, a nod to a French-speaking RO, for "interest" purposes? I'm curious why this is coming up, and why you think it might be a problem. __________________ 2Lt McInnes, TrgO 328 RCACC (Army Medical) Saskatoon, SK

30th July 2010, 16:25	#4
J-P Johnson Air Central & CWwiki Moderator Join Date: 2006 Location: Barrie ON Canada Gender: Posts: 4,153 Blog Entries: 1	There is nothing wrong with it but consider that your first-year cadets will - for at least part of the year - have difficulty with commands in english, let alone throwing french at them. If you are going to do it, save it for the latter part of the year. It is far easier for them to do it correctly if they are only trying to figuring out what the words are that you are saying without then having to figure out how to make their body do the movement. __________________ J-P Johnson Captain 102 (Barrie Silver Fox) Sqn - Barrie Ontario Member of The Royal Canadian Air Force Commemorative Squadron

30th July 2010, 18:39	#5
N. McKay Past Staff Member Join Date: 2000 Posts: 8,807	Nothing at all wrong with it. My unit does it every fourth week, with no difficulties at all. __________________ Neill McKay, P. Eng.

31st July 2010, 07:51	#8
ctjj.stevenson CWiki Contributor of the Year - 2009 Join Date: 2004 Location: Longueuil (Québec) Canada Gender: Posts: 2,739	I would encourage the practice of using French commands every once in a while. Send me (thru a personal message) a list of the orders that you wish to us, and I will translate them for you. Good day! __________________ Christophe T. Stevenson CCMRC 223 RCSCC LONGUEUIL Celebrating 40 years!

31st July 2010, 09:59	#9
luvin-cadets SOT & Facebook FanPage Moderator Join Date: 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada! Gender: Posts: 2,128 Blog Entries: 2	I have a full sheet, front and back of french commmands that I got on SLC I find them a lot more difficult to call!

1st August 2010, 11:24	#10
dohmaticshrooms Join Date: 2009 Location: Richmond Gender: Posts: 21	Wrong? I don't think it's wrong at all to teach them. But to use them, leave it up to your CO's discretion. Some may have difficulty in learning them and make mistakes (even ones in parade positions). And of course, that may not look best on an important parade, or even a CO's parade. However, good idea nonetheless. __________________ F/Sgt Liu, H: 692 BCIT Aerospace Basic 2K6-Pert 2K7-AATC-AMC 2K8-Glider RGS(P) 2K9 Power 2K10 (PFC) Pacific Region HQ: 2009 Top Drum Major