Pokey drill in my old mob (North Staffords) was simply any drill , foot or arms , done for extended periods at double time and with literally no break between orders. I think excruciating describes it in one word.

Last did pokey drill in 88 at Basic Training, with SLR's, and that was in the RAF. Holding the flash eliminator with the arm parallel to the ground was a favourite

Back in 99, I was working alongside the Manchester Police and talking to a Police Sgt, an ex Marine, we found we had names in common.
He told me about his Platoon Sgt during training, a guy well know in Army Aviation.
He had a GPMG lying on its bipod and walked up knelt down and gripping the flash holder with one hand, he lifted the Gimmpy up, arm strieght out, for all the platoon to see.
john
Know it sounds far fetched but, I have no reason to doubt my Police informant and the Booty in question was one hell of a player.

Floor polisher complete with broom handle and 5lbs (ish) metal head.

And a ceiling!

Ahh... pokey drill! I believe the official term was Rifle Strengthening Exercises, various exercises were described in the back of the SLR pamphlet complete with photographs of a very large moustachioed member of the SASC in shirtsleeve order completing each exercise. Done correctly and regularly the exercises were a great way of increasing recruit's arm and wrist strength (this was before free weights were available in most Depot and Bn gyms).

Isn't Pokey slang for Jail? (Or has the meths and orange got to me?)

Therefore "Pokey drill" would be the beasting that used to be issued out when sent to see the Provo Sgt.

Many happy memories of floor bumper on the ceiling and the game of Catch up in the exercise yard.

Catch up: Minimum of 2 recruits. Oppopsite corners of the yard, about 15' x 15'. Aim was to double quick march and catch up the other soldier being able to touch their shoulder. If you managed to catch up then you got a rest in the centre whilst the other got a beasting. Better with 4 people for a bit more competition.

WELL!
Before I started a new topic I thought it best to search the old and found this posted 2 years ago. :o
We did pokey drill combined with unarmed combat?
Does anyone remember the Birmingham tattoo 1964?

Originally Posted by craftsmanx

Pokey drill in my old mob (North Staffords) was simply any drill , foot or arms , done for extended periods at double time and with literally no break between orders. I think excruciating describes it in one word.

Same for us too. We also did rifle strengthening exercises more than once, although I gather they were officially banned at the time.

Pokey drill, bunny hops crap ear defenders no wonder we are all deaf cripples, give me duvets and H&S rather than the joys of the basic training in the 70's!

Originally Posted by pimpernel

Pokey drill, bunny hops[1]

You missed out seal crawling [2], for that authentic "why do I hurt so much" feeling... not to mention being boll*cked if you didn't manage to get the boots you'd used for PT [3] un-scuffed in the miniscule available gap between PT and breakfast and first parade...

These were exercises developed by someone who obviously decided that if good hard training hurt you, then the reverse must be true, and training that hurt you must be good.

Thank f**k the APTC saw sense. Although the inventor of "core stability exercises" should have a special place in the ninth circle of hell, for "planks" in particular. I don't call them physioterrorists for nothing...

Notes for the youth
[1]. Bunny hops. Exactly as it sounds - go from a squatting position, jump forward, return to squat, and repeat until the PT leader decides. Banned because of the severe strain it puts on the ligaments around the knee, handy hint is to not to take your knee past a 90 degree bend during load-bearing exercises unless necessary.

[2]. Seal crawling. Exactly as it sounds - normally carried out on the return leg from a half-pitches worth of bunny hops, so that the upper body could feel just as f***ed up as your legs. Go into pressup position, let your back sag downwards, drag your body forwards using your arms while your legs trail behind as a dead weight. Banned because it runs the risk of overarching the spine.

[3]. Yes, we used to wear boots for PT. And did all of our runs in them too. The nearest the Army got to trainers were those black plimsoles now worn only by primary school kiddies for gym. Banned because high-leg boots and running and recruits makes a mix guaranteed for at least 10% casualties due to lower limb injuries, no matter how nails they are (says he, with chronic bursitis in his knees).