Military Instructors Manual Part 15

PHYSICAL TRAINING.--Each period should include exercises for all parts of the body. Following the setting-up exercises the following should be given in the order named: marching, jumping, double timing, gymnastic contests, and concluding or restorative exercises.

Rifle exercises have for their purpose the development of "handiness"

with the piece. They should be used moderately and with frequent rests, for they develop big muscles at the expense of agility--a muscle bound man cannot use his strength.

BAYONET TRAINING in addition to its military value calls into play every muscle of the body and makes for alertness, agility, quick perception, decision, aggressiveness and confidence.

Time Schedule.

A.M. (Begins 1/2 hour P.M. (End 1/2 hour after breakfast): before retreat):

1. Disciplinary exercises, 1. Bayonet training, 30 2 minutes. minutes.

2. Starting positions, 1 2. Games and contests, minute. 30 minutes.

3. Setting up exercises, Alternating daily with: 20 minutes. 1. Bombing practice, 20 4. Marching and marching minutes.

exercises, 5 to 8 2. Conditioning exercises, minutes. 15 minutes.

5. Jumping, 5 to 8 minutes. Double timing.

6. Double timing, 5 minutes Vaulting and overcoming obstacles.

3. Rifle practice, 10 minutes.

Instructions must be:

1. An inspiration to the men.

2. Well prepared themselves.

3. Stripped for action.

4. An example to the men.

5. Must make drill attractive.

6. Never have men overdo. Temper the exercises to the endurance of the weakest man.

7. Accompany every exercise with the proper breathing.

8. See that the men are clothed according to the season.

9. Have the drills short and snappy.

10. Have frequent rests at the beginning--less frequent as work progresses.

The platoon is the best unit for physical drills.

FORMATIONS.--When exercising in small squads, the men "fall in" in a single rank and, after having "counted off" by fours, threes or twos, as the instructor may direct, distance is taken at the command: Take distance, March, Squad Halt. At "March" No. 1 moves forward, being followed by the other numbers at intervals of four paces. Halt is commanded when all have taken their distances.

At the discretion of the instructor the distance may be any number of paces, the men being first cautioned to that effect.

When distance is taken from the double rank, No. 1 of the rear rank follows No. 4 of the front rank, and he is in turn followed by the other numbers of the rear rank.

If the instructor desires the files to cover, he commands: In file _Cover_. Nos. 1 stand fast, the others moving to the right with the side step, until the Nos. 1 are covered.

To return to the original formation, the instructor commands: a.s.semble March. No. 1 of the front rank stands fast and the other members move forward to their original places.

_Second Formation._ To the right and left. Take interval, March.

_Front Rank:_ _Rear Rank:_ No. 1, 6 steps right step. No. 1, 3 steps right step.

No. 2, 3 steps right step. No. 2, Stands fast.

No. 3, Stands fast. No. 3, 3 steps left step.

No. 4, 3 steps left step. No. 4, 6 steps left step.

Commands.

KINDS OF COMMANDS, AND HOW GIVEN.--There are two kinds, _preparatory_ and _executive_.

The _preparatory command_ describes and specifies what is desired and the _executive command_ calls what has been described into action.

The tone of the command should always be animated, distinct, and of a loudness proportioned to the number of men for whom it is intended.

Instructors should cultivate a proper command, as its value as a tributary to the success of any military drill cannot be overestimated.

After an exercise has been described, its various movements or parts should be performed at _executive words_, which indicate not only the movement that is desired but the manner of the execution. Thus: 1.

Trunk forward, 2. Bend, 3. Recover (or Raise), here the word _bend_ is drawn to indicate moderately slow execution; the recovery being a little faster, the word _recover_ should be spoken to indicate it.

The word Recover should always be used to bring the men back to the original position.

If it is desired to continue an exercise, the command Exercise should be used and the cadence or rhythm should be indicated by words or numerals. If numerals are used, they should equal the number of movements composing the exercise. Thus an exercise of two movements will be repeated at _one, two_; one of four movements will require four counts, etc.

The numeral or word preceding the command Halt should always be given with a rising inflection in order to prepare the men for the command Halt.

Thus: 1. Thrust arms forward, 2. Exercise one, two, one, two, one, Halt.

If any movement of any exercise is to be performed with more energy than the others, the word or numeral corresponding to that movement should be emphasized.

FIRST LESSON.--A. Disciplinary Exercises. 1. Attention; 2. At Ease; 3.

Rest; 4. Facings.

B. Starting Positions. (m.p.t., pp. 25 to 29.) C. Setting-up Exercises (every exercise has two motions)[P]:

1. Arms forward, 2. Raise. Swing arms downward and forward.

2. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Rise on toes. (33.) 3. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend head backward; same, forward.

(38.) 4. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Turn trunk right; same, left. (40.) 5. Arms to thrust, 2. Raise. Half bend knees slowly. (35.) 6. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk forward. (36.) 7. Arms to thrust, 2. Raise. Raise and lower shoulders. (32.) 8. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk sideward, right; same, left. (37.) 9. Arms forward, 2. Raise. Stretch arms sideward. (43.) 10. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Bend trunk backward. (34.) 11. Hands on hips, 2. Place. Raise knees forward alternatingly.

(41.) 12. Breathing Exercise: Inhale, raising arms sideward; exhale, lowering arms.

D. Marching Exercises:

1. Marching in column in quick time and halting.

2. Same, marking time, marching forward and halting.

3. Same, marching on toes.

[Footnote P: Note.--Jumping and double-timing exercises and contests should not be included in the first week's work.

Bracketed numbers refer to pages in "Manual of Physical Training,"

where similar exercises are ill.u.s.trated and described.]

SECOND LESSON.--A. Disciplinary Exercises. Same as in first lesson.

B. Starting positions.

C. Setting-up Exercises (every exercise has two motions):