West Boylston Drill, Maneuver, and Firing Competitions

The three main events will be the execution of drill, maneuvers, and firing. Teams will consist of a minimum of 5 men at arms and one officer or sergeant. A Regiment may field more than one team as long as the minimum requirements for a single team are met. Music is not included in the team count, but is encouraged to participate as part of their team. An additional element has been added to the competition known as "The Last Man Standing". This event is open to all registered participants of the West Boylston event.

For the drill and maneuver competitions, additional or unique elements will add to the score, but will also detract from the score if not executed properly. As usual, bribery of the judges will not be discouraged.

Drill Competition

Each team will be judged on the execution of drill based on their manual. All published elements of your drill will have to be executed—including that of the bayonet, since this is late war. Units will be judged on accuracy of drill, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing.

Elements to be executed are:

• Falling In—single rank, arms at half-cock, frizzens closed, and hammer stalls on
• Inspection of arms to include springing of rammers and poise to inspect locks
• Shoulder Firelocks
• Order Firelocks
• Poise Firelocks
• Advance Firelocks
• Secure Firelocks
• Support Firelocks
• Slope Firelocks
• Trail Firelocks
• Fix Bayonets
• Charge Bayonets
• Present Arms
• Unfix Bayonets
• Ground Firelocks
• Pick-up Firelocks
• Dismiss

Points are awarded for completing all elements of the drill, crisp execution, and military bearing. Conversely points will be deducted for dirty or unkept arms, missing elements of drill, and sloppy and poor execution. Arms do not have to be polished—just free of fouling and rust scale.

Scoring: 50 possible points

• 10 points for clean arms and passing inspection
• 20 points for executing all elements of drill
• 10 points for crisp execution of drill
• 10 points for bearing and appearance

Maneuver Competition

Each unit will be judged on the execution of maneuvers based on their drill manual or ordinance. Marching will be executed in two ranks. Units will be judged on accuracy of maneuvers, dress, discipline, bearing, and execution of all elements.

Maneuver Elements

• Facings while standing—left, right, and right about—2 each
• Wheels—left and right—2 each
• Counter Marches—2 each
• Obliques—left and right—2 each
• Marching—line and column
• Breaking off by sections into line and reforming sections
• Passing defiles
• Bayonet charge to include fixing and unfixing bayonets

Points are awarded for completing all maneuver elements, crisp execution and dress, and military bearing. Conversely points will be deducted for missing maneuver elements, lack of dress, and sloppy and poor execution.

Scoring: 50 possible points

• 25 points for executing all maneuver elements
• 15 points for crisp maneuver execution and dress
• 10 points for bearing and appearance

Firing Competition

Each unit will be judged on their execution of a firing drill using vocal commands and the speed at which a unit can safely fire five rammed charges. All units will fire in a single rank and all firing members must have a pick and whisk. A total of six rounds will be fired. The first round will be loaded by vocal command with all evolutions executed. Time for the remaining five rapid fire rounds will start when the command to fire is given by the commanding officer/sergeant of the unit. Units will be judged on crispness of firing, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing. Deductions will be assessed for each mis-fire and dropped rounds. Mis-fires must be cleared, dropped rounds must remain on the ground. Units not firing in a safe manner will be disqualified.

If a unit is found to have a significant number of mis-fires or a flint fault through either breaking or loss, the unit may take a 5 point penalty and start again.

Scoring: 50 possible points

• 10 points for executing all vocal command elements
• 10 points for crisp execution of firing drill and crisp volleys
• 30 possible points for speed firing

Deductions:

• 1 point for each dropped round
• 1 point for each musket not declaring and clearing a round
• 1 point depending on your standing after the firing completion

Examples:

• fastest firing unit 0 points deducted
• second place 1 point deducted
• third place 2 points deducted
• etc.

Last Man Standing

The final event is known as "The Last Man Standing". All registered participants, including members not part of a team, are encouraged to participate. This event will determine the fastest individual within the BB or CL. Time will begin at 35 seconds and count down by 5 seconds until 25 seconds. Time will count down by one second thereafter until there is a last man standing. Each firing segment will begin from the firing position (present or take aim) and ends when the musket is at the shoulder. Timing will start and stop through a whistle blow or vocal command. An individual will be disqualified if the musket is not at or in motion to the shoulder. An individual will also be disqualified if their musket fails to discharge when the command to fire is given. An individual moves to the next round only when the musket has got to the shoulder within the allotted time and has discharged.

Scoring

• 5 points to the team with the fastest individual
• 3 points to the team with the second fastest individual
• 1 point to the team with the third fastest individual

Awarding of Prizes

At the end of the competition, the Strawbery Banke and Boston Garrison Cups will be awarded as well as the prize for "The Last Man Standing".

Judges