What is the focus of the 'by the numbers' method in drill teaching?

The 'by the numbers' method in drill teaching emphasizes breaking down movements into individual steps, allowing soldiers to learn and understand each specific action before attempting to execute them in unison. This approach is particularly beneficial for new recruits or individuals who may struggle with complex drill movements. By focusing on understanding individual movements, it enables soldiers to develop a solid foundation of skills, promoting accuracy and precision in their execution.

This method is not about advanced drill commands or speeding up the performance of commands, which would be more appropriate in later stages of training. Similarly, while group cohesion is important in drill, the primary aim of 'by the numbers' is to ensure that each service member comprehensively grasps their part of the drill before integrating those movements into a larger group context. Therefore, the correct response aligns with the necessity of mastering individual movements to maintain overall drill effectiveness.