What is this all about?

[KPdad2013.FL]

I've seen this 'exercise' in plenty of indoc photos. I've got plenty of military background, but cannot figure out what the object is here:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6xt3P5xxRMo/Smh0HJUJ8PI/AAAAAAAABdA/ZlvIIROmrkc/s512/Picture 237.jpg

 

[KJ2012]

its how they get the count on deck... it's just a funner way of doing things.

 

[kp2001]

KJ2012 nailed it. It's just the way they do accountability...everyone bends over, person on the front left starts with number 1 and then stands upright....down the line till the end when everyone is back upright.

This version will pretty much end after Indoc.