What phrase cancels a preparatory command?

• A. As you were
• B. At ease
• C. About face
• D. Right face

Answer: (A)

In drill, a command is made of two parts: a preparatory command that tells you what’s about to happen, followed by an execution command that actually carries it out. When you hear a preparatory cue and you’re about to move, saying “As you were” cancels that plan and returns you to the position you held before, effectively stopping the intended action.

The other phrases don’t do that. “At ease” relaxes the posture but doesn’t revoke a pending movement. “About face” and “Right face” are execution commands that initiate a turn, not cancellations of a preparatory action.