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Grading System

Cadets are graded based on their:

  • Precision of the spins
    • How sharp the stops are, how steady their body is, how much control they have over the rifle.
  • Complexity of the routine
    • The difficulty of the spins and how it distinguishes the cadet from the competitors.
  • Unique style
    • How their style of spinning the rifle distinguishes them from others.
  • Bearing
    • Strong, military facial manners; no smiling, no laughing, always looking forward.
  • Drill Form
    • The stability and posture of the cadet - NO looking at the rifle, unless when doing over-the-head spins or an aerial higher than 2x rotations.
  • Time taken
    • For every second above or below the given time constraint, one point is lost.

The grading rubric is similar between the soloists/dualists and the platoon drill, but are not the same. In general, however, the guidelines set in the grading rubrics will subtract points per infraction - dropping the rifle, breaking bearing, etc. - and will add points depending on how strong each attribute of the routine is - the complexity, the difficulty, the style, etc.

Penalties:

  • Dropping the rifle: -10 points
  • Boundary violations (exiting the box before the routine is over): -5 points
  • Amount of time above or below the given time constraint: -1 point per second
  • Not meeting the required amount of cadets (platoon drill team): -25 for one cadet under, -50 for two cadets under
  • Breaking bearing: Can range from -1 point to -30 points depending on the severity

Cadets may NOT be elevated off of the ground at any time within the duration of the routine.

Rubric​​​