03-27-2005, 05:22 PM
Hello again.<br>
Everything that I will tell you now comes from first hand experience.<br>
I did my national service in the Greek Army (lasted) 18 months.<br>
The first month, except fire arms training we did close drill and close formation maneuvers. Some of us were picked up for the presidential guard and other ceremonial troops and they did this routine for 18 months!<br>
You have to see with your own eyes to believe how complex maneuvers recruits will do with the encouragement of a barking sergeant. (i.e. change formation in less than 2 minutes. - jogging and keeping tight dressing while carrying a 30 kilogram bergen pack. execute precision movements with the rifle etc. etc<br>
If recruits with 30 days training can perform quickly assembly and change formation maneuvers how much more people that their battle tactics were based on this!<br>
Ok, the Spartan started performing these maneuvers from the age of seven like school games but in the other city states the youth were going to the stadion and palestra and started what we today would call "para-military training" at around the age of sixteen.<br>
I see no reason to assume that ancient drill instructors or trainers were any different than modern day sergeants.<br>
Ancient Athenians required military service from the youth between 18 to 20 years before give them the right to be named citizens. (Again think 30 days drill miracles and 24 months drill!) <p></p><i></i>
Everything that I will tell you now comes from first hand experience.<br>
I did my national service in the Greek Army (lasted) 18 months.<br>
The first month, except fire arms training we did close drill and close formation maneuvers. Some of us were picked up for the presidential guard and other ceremonial troops and they did this routine for 18 months!<br>
You have to see with your own eyes to believe how complex maneuvers recruits will do with the encouragement of a barking sergeant. (i.e. change formation in less than 2 minutes. - jogging and keeping tight dressing while carrying a 30 kilogram bergen pack. execute precision movements with the rifle etc. etc<br>
If recruits with 30 days training can perform quickly assembly and change formation maneuvers how much more people that their battle tactics were based on this!<br>
Ok, the Spartan started performing these maneuvers from the age of seven like school games but in the other city states the youth were going to the stadion and palestra and started what we today would call "para-military training" at around the age of sixteen.<br>
I see no reason to assume that ancient drill instructors or trainers were any different than modern day sergeants.<br>
Ancient Athenians required military service from the youth between 18 to 20 years before give them the right to be named citizens. (Again think 30 days drill miracles and 24 months drill!) <p></p><i></i>
