In the Drill and Ceremony manual, where can I find clarification on the command "fallout"?

Saying "on the command of fall out, fallout, and ..." is super common, you'll hear it every where. Its not wrong, per se, but its like saying ATM machine, the M is machine. It's just overly redundant. Obviously on the command of fall out, you fall out. Unless they changed something in the TC, there is no prepatory command for fall out, you just saying and walk away. Or if you're doing the horseshoe, "on the command of fallout, make a horse shoe formation."

Usually the expository statement before a command like that is give to clarify what is expected after the command is given. "On the command of fall out, fallout and go to the motor pool, or head into the classroom", for instance. It is not wrong, but it is unnecessary and redundant to say "on the command of fallout, fallout..."

"Fall Out" is also correctly used when a formation is modified from the typical line formation to the U formation. I won't go into detail here, it's in the FM

"Fall Out" is also used when an element of a formation is broken and reformed into smaller groups. A PSG may command "Take Charge of Your Squads" The Squad Leader will remain in place and command "Fall Out", then move to a nearby area and command "Fall In" and continue with their individual squads.


What is more common, and perhaps slightly more correct: the Sergeant leading the formation will give the extra details: "Company, Attention. Platoon Sergeants, take charge of your platoon and being motor stables, or conduct classroom training." Because the extra instruction is already given, all the PSG has to do is salute, about face and then has two choices. 1. command "Fall Out" and the implied instruction followed, or 2. Put the platoon "at ease" and give any information or additional specific instructions, bring them back to "Attention", followed by "Fall out".

Generally, the command "Fall Out" is used when it becomes necessary to break apart an element of a formation, and is almost always followed by new smaller elements formed under 'Fall In", or reforming the element in a different style of formation.

Okay, so despite not being specifically listed in TC 3-21.5 (FM 3-21.5 January 2012 in chapter 3 under combined commands 3.3, which are those commands which contain both the preparatory command and the command of execution, it is later listed under 3.8 as a combined command where it states "c. In combined commands, such as FALL IN and FALL OUT, ...". Further in chapter 7.9, Dismissing the Platoon. The command fallout is used to release soldiers from the formation, but not from the area. While giving instructions as to where soldiers are to go, or what they are to do when they leave the formation, is probably a good idea, it is not necessary to preface the command of FALL OUT with any such verbiage of, "On the command of FALL OUT..." it is simply redundant.