FC Sepoy Test cheat sheet

The term 'Sepoy' derives from the Persian 'sipahi', meaning soldier; it was used for Indian infantry in European-led armies from the 18th century.

The Bengal Army's sepoys revolted in 1857 over greased cartridges, leading to the transfer of India from the East India Company to the Crown in 1858.

The Indian Army Act of 1911 and later the Army Act 1950 govern the current legal framework for the Indian Army, which traces its lineage to the pre-independence forces.

The Regimental System: Indian Army regiments are class-based or region-based, preserving traditions, and each has its own war cry, insignia, and history.

Battle Honours: awarded for notable actions; e.g., the 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment, holds honours from the 1857 Siege of Delhi and World War I.

Victoria Cross: the highest British award for gallantry; 30 Indian soldiers received it, including Khudadad Khan (first Indian VC, 1914).

Param Vir Chakra: India's highest wartime gallantry award, established 1950; equivalent to the Victoria Cross.

The Sepoy tradition emphasizes loyalty, discipline, and martial prowess, with regimental histories used to instil pride during training.

Drill commands are given in two parts: the preparatory part (e.g., 'Squad') and the executive part (e.g., 'Halt'). The executive part is given sharply and is the signal to execute.

On the command 'Attention', heels are brought together and in line, feet turned out at an angle of 30 degrees, knees straight, body erect, arms hanging naturally, hands lightly closed.

The 'Stand at Ease' command: feet remain in position, hands are placed behind the back, right hand over left, thumbs crossed, and the head is turned towards the commander.

Saluting: the right hand is raised to the eyebrow with the palm facing outward, fingers extended and joined, thumb close to the index finger, elbow at shoulder height.

Marching: the standard pace is 120 steps per minute for quick march; the length of pace is 30 inches (75 cm).

Turning: on the command 'Right Turn', the right foot is lifted and turned 90 degrees to the right, the left foot is brought up to the right foot, and the body is turned to face the new direction.

Dismissal: on the command 'Dismiss', the squad salutes (if under arms) and then breaks off. If not under arms, the squad simply breaks off.

Drill is used to instil discipline, teamwork, and immediate obedience to orders; it is tested in recruit training and on ceremonial parades.

Turnout refers to personal appearance: uniform clean and pressed, boots polished, hair cut short, face clean-shaven (except for religious exceptions), and no jewellery.

Ceremonial parades: the squad forms up in three ranks, with the commander at the front centre. The colour party carries the unit's colours (flags).

The 'Eyes Right' salute is given when passing a dignitary; the head is turned to the right and the salute is held until the command 'Eyes Front'.

During the National Anthem, all personnel stand at attention and salute if in uniform and under arms; otherwise, stand at attention.

The 'March Past' is executed in quick time, with the squad saluting the reviewing officer by turning the head and eyes to the right while maintaining the march.

Medals are worn on the left breast, in order of precedence, with the highest award nearest the centre.

The 'Guard of Honour' is a ceremonial unit that renders honours to visiting dignitaries; it is formed with a specific number of men (e.g., 50 or 100) and includes a band.

Turnout inspections check for: correct wearing of headgear, badges of rank, name plates, and that boots are properly laced and polished.

The four cardinal rules of weapon safety: treat every weapon as loaded; never point at anything you do not intend to shoot; keep finger off the trigger until ready to fire; be sure of your target and what is beyond.

On the range, the command 'Load' is given by the Range Officer; weapons are loaded only on command and with the muzzle pointing downrange.

A 'Stop' command is immediately obeyed by all; weapons are made safe (magazine removed, chamber cleared, action open) and placed on the ground if directed.

The 'Make Safe' procedure: remove the magazine, pull the charging handle to the rear, visually and physically inspect the chamber, and leave the action open.

Weapons are never left unattended; they are either carried by the individual or secured in an armoury.

Hearing protection and eye protection are mandatory on the range; ear defenders are worn from the start of the shoot until the 'Cease Fire' is confirmed.

The 'Cease Fire' command is followed by 'Unload' and 'Show Clear'; each firer shows the empty chamber to the Range Officer.

A 'Misfire' is a failure to fire; the firer keeps the weapon pointed downrange, waits 30 seconds (for safety), then unloads and inspects.

Camouflage and concealment: use natural materials to break up the outline; avoid shiny objects and unnecessary movement.

The 'REST' position for observation: Relax, Elevate, Support, Trigger (for weapon), but in fieldcraft, it refers to a stable firing position.

Field signals are used for silent communication; e.g., a raised fist means 'halt', a hand waved overhead means 'enemy in sight'.

Patrolling: a patrol consists of a commander, scout, and other members; it moves in a formation (file, single file, or extended line) depending on terrain and threat.

Shelter construction: use a poncho or natural materials to build a lean-to; site it away from dead trees and dry riverbeds.

Fire lighting: use a fire stick or matches; clear a circle of vegetation to prevent spread; never leave a fire unattended.

Water procurement: never drink untreated water; use purification tablets or boil for at least 10 minutes.

Personal camouflage: apply cam cream in a disruptive pattern (not uniform); avoid exposing skin; use foliage on helmet and shoulders.

Grid references: a four-figure grid reference gives a 1 km square; a six-figure reference gives a 100 m square. Always read eastings (vertical lines) first, then northings (horizontal lines).

The map scale is the ratio of map distance to ground distance; e.g., 1:50,000 means 1 cm on the map equals 500 m on the ground.

Contour lines join points of equal elevation; the interval is the vertical distance between contours, usually 10 m or 20 m.

A bearing is measured in degrees clockwise from grid north; the back bearing is the reciprocal (add or subtract 180 degrees).

Magnetic variation is the angle between grid north and magnetic north; it is shown on the map margin and must be applied when converting between grid and magnetic bearings.

The compass is used to take a bearing: point the direction of travel arrow at the object, rotate the bezel until the orienting arrow aligns with the magnetic needle, and read the bearing at the index line.

Pacing: the average pace count is about 75 paces per 100 m; it is used to measure distance on the ground.

Navigation techniques include dead reckoning (using bearing and distance) and handrailing (following a linear feature like a stream).

DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. This is the primary survey sequence for a casualty.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing; if bleeding continues, apply a tourniquet above the wound and note the time.

CPR: for an adult, give 30 chest compressions (depth 5-6 cm, rate 100-120 per minute) followed by 2 rescue breaths.

Recovery position: place an unconscious but breathing casualty on their side to maintain the airway.

Fractures: immobilise the limb with a splint; do not attempt to straighten the limb; check circulation beyond the injury.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 10 minutes; do not remove clothing stuck to the burn; cover with a sterile non-adherent dressing.

Heat exhaustion: move to a cool place, give fluids, and loosen clothing. Heat stroke is a medical emergency: cool rapidly and evacuate.

The casualty card (F Med 1) records the casualty's details, injury, and treatment given; it accompanies the casualty during evacuation.

Radio procedure: listen before transmitting; press the PTT button, pause briefly, then speak clearly and slowly.

The phonetic alphabet is used to spell out words: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

Numbers are spoken digit by digit: '0' is 'zero', '1' is 'one', etc. '9' is 'niner' to avoid confusion with 'five'.

Procedure words: 'Roger' means message received and understood; 'Wilco' means will comply; 'Over' invites a reply; 'Out' ends the transmission.

A radio net consists of a Net Control Station (NCS) and subordinate stations; the NCS controls the flow of traffic.

Security: never transmit classified information in clear; use codes or secure equipment. Enforce radio silence when ordered.

Battery care: recharge batteries fully, do not short-circuit, and keep spare batteries dry.

A 'Mayday' call is for immediate life-threatening distress; a 'Pan-Pan' call is for urgent but non-life-threatening situations.

The Indian Army is commanded by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), a four-star general. The Army is divided into seven commands, each commanded by a Lieutenant General.

Ranks: officers (Lieutenant to General), JCOs (Subedar Major, Subedar, Naib Subedar), and NCOs (Havildar, Naik, Lance Naik). Sepoy is the lowest rank.

The Army's motto is 'Service Before Self'. The Indian Army's war cry varies by regiment (e.g., 'Jai Hind' for many).

The Army Day is celebrated on 15 January, commemorating the appointment of General K. M. Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief in 1949.

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla trains cadets for all three services; the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun trains officers for the Army.

The Army consists of arms (Infantry, Armoured Corps, Artillery, Engineers, Signals) and services (ASC, AOC, EME, AMC, etc.).

The Sepoy's uniform includes the regimental cap, badge, and shoulder titles; the rank of Sepoy is indicated by no insignia on the sleeve.

Military discipline is governed by the Army Act 1950 and the Army Rules 1954; offences include mutiny, desertion, insubordination, and drunkenness on duty.

Punishments under the Army Act include imprisonment, dismissal, reduction in rank, and forfeiture of pay.

Customs of the service: respect for rank, seniority, and the chain of command; officers are addressed as 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' by subordinates.

The 'Mess' is a social institution; members are expected to follow mess etiquette, such as not discussing politics or religion at the table.

Saluting is a mark of respect and is rendered to officers, the national flag, and the national anthem.

The 'Colours' are the regimental flags; they are treated with reverence and are not allowed to touch the ground.

Grievances are redressed through the chain of command; a sepoy can approach the officer commanding his company or the commanding officer.

The 'Orderly Officer' and 'Orderly Sergeant' are duties rotated among personnel to maintain discipline and administration in the unit.

The standard Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) for recruits includes: 2.4 km run in 10 minutes (for under 25), 20 sit-ups, and 10 push-ups (minimum).

The Battle Physical Efficiency Test (BPET) includes a 5 km run with weapon and equipment, obstacle course, and fireman's lift.

Age and gender norms: standards are relaxed for older age groups and for female recruits (e.g., 2.4 km in 12 minutes for females under 25).

Endurance training should include cardiovascular exercise (running, cycling) at least 3 times a week, strength training 2 times a week, and flexibility exercises.

Injury prevention: warm up before exercise, cool down after, and ensure proper hydration and nutrition.

The 'Beep Test' (multistage fitness test) is used to estimate VO2 max; a score of 10.1 is roughly equivalent to 50 ml/kg/min.

Body Mass Index (BMI) should be within the range of 18.5 to 25 for optimal health; the Army may have specific standards.

Rest and recovery are essential; overtraining can lead to injury and decreased performance.