Parade-ground drill

[Adina]

I'd go with Soldier. Close-order formations would be used in riot/crowd control settings. Flashy presentations and salutes would come up for Residence guards for political visitors often enough for teh Marines to have some experience at it. Though that could be the DX-based Savior-faire mentioned previously. Soldier and Savior-faire(Military) should cover it.

Jeff

[Verjigorm]

So what about marching bands and other similar groups?

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

So what about marching bands and other similar groups?

They probably have their own different skill. It's not like there are more than superficial similarities.

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

So what about marching bands and other similar groups?

Hobby skill?

When I showed up on an Army parade-ground with drill I had learned in a marching band there were eyebrows raised at my style, I can tell you. "Where did you learn that?" "Concert band, sergeant." "Well tone it down. This isn't Buckingham Palace".

[benz72]

Since the title is specifically about PARADE drill, I would go with the Group Performance option. Soldier could certainly have a small component of that be included, but there are lots of professional military personnel who would embarrass themselves on a parade ground [hand raise]. In OCS, I could do all that stuff, but I haven't used it in 15 years. Unless it is practiced together with regularity, the timing and distance required to make it look good will be lacking.
As to moving troops in units or standing in ranks, those (the later especially) are common enough, but those can hardly be considered parade moves. As for rifle flipping and such, that is a very specialized applicaiton that isn't even taught to anyone outside of specific teams that DO practice together. IMO they are the only ones who have a hope of pulling it off smoothly.... which is really sort of the whole point... these guys practice together enough to do those crazy things.

[jacobmuller]

Depending on the drill, Shield Wall might apply, but a Soldier based TL/ culture linked Technique wouldn't be out of place; SF (Mil) for appropriate use?
Treating high-school Marching Bands as Dancing (Marching Band) sounds silly but I can't think of another skill for it - Group Performance (Marching Band) for the director(?).

[Walrus]

In Russia, we have units with additional "decorative" stepping training just for parades and other ceremonials. I know the same about British honor guards (especially mounted), Indian/Pakistan border guards and so on.

Thus, we can see it as additional specialization of Performance, Stage Combat, Sports or so on with defaults to Soldier. Also you can do it with technique based on Soldier skill with appropriate limitations.

[Witchking]

Hmm I think an aggregation of the postitions expressed might be best...

A Group Performace Skill (Parade Ground) with a default to the Soldier skill of -2 to -4.

That should cover the crack ceremonial troops (they have the skill), the kick azz old soldiers (top may be a working soldier but after 30 yrs) who have a high enough Soldier skill, and the Specialist from the Air Force who might need a 8 or less to keep from putting an eye out.

IMHO as always.

Column of Two gentlemen. Column of two.

[Danukian]

Originally Posted by Brett

Hobby skill?

When I showed up on an Army parade-ground with drill I had learned in a marching band there were eyebrows raised at my style, I can tell you. "Where did you learn that?" "Concert band, sergeant." "Well tone it down. This isn't Buckingham Palace".

This instantly made me think of Stripes:

"Where have you boys been?"
"TRAINING, SIR!"
'What kind of Training?"
"AAAAAAAAAARRMY TRAINING, SIR!"


Other than that, I think cmdicely got it right

Originally Posted by cmdicely

Where its not closely tied to how units work on the battlefield, I'd probably be inclined to treat executing parade-ground drill as a DX-based application of Savoir-Faire (Military).

[Polydamas]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

So what about marching bands and other similar groups?

I don't see a problem with including the same minor task under several skills. Generally, I think Group Performance or Savoire-Faire are good choices for parade ground drill which's purpose is to look good or provide indirect benefits; Soldier is better for drill which's purpose is to keep groups of men moving quickly, or to use weapons more effectively. Not all Soldier specialties will include it, and I've got no idea whether it would generally be taught in Flat Black. I will say that things which are taught purely for indirect benefits are vulnerable to being replaced by something which provides direct benefits, or provides the same benefits more efficiently.