The Plattsburg Manual Part 4

Preparatory Commands are distinguished by bold face, those of execution by capitals. As, 1. Forward, 2. MARCH.

The average man understands better and learns faster when you show him how a thing is done. Don't be content with telling him how. Bear this in mind when you become an instructor.

On account of the absence of the Regular Army on the border, it was not practical to obtain photographs of regular troops with which to ill.u.s.trate this book. The photographs used were taken under the direct supervision of the authors.

POSITION OF A SOLDIER AT ATTENTION

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 CORRECT POSITION]

No. 1. Eyes to the front. Hands hang naturally. Rest weight of the body equally on feet. Feet turned out making angles of 45.

No. 2. Head erect. Shoulders down and back. Chest out. Stomach up. Thumb along the seams of trousers. Knees straight, not stiff. Heels on line and together. Do not stiffen the fingers: The mind ought also to be at attention.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 INCORRECT POSITIONS]

No. 1. Don't gaze about. That's not playing the game. Don't turn your feet out making an angle of 100.

No. 2. Don't slouch. Hold yourself up. Keep your eyes off the ground.

These are the common errors of beginners.

1. Parade, 2. REST.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 CORRECT POSITION]

No. 1. Clasp hands without constraint in front of center of body. Left hand uppermost. Fingers joined. Thumb and fore finger right hand clasps the left thumb.

No. 2. Bend left knee slightly. Right foot is carried 6 inches straight to the rear.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 INCORRECT POSITIONS]

No. 1. Not looking straight to the front. Right foot not carried straight to the rear.

No. 2. Leaning back too far. Right foot carried back too far.

1. Hand, 2. SALUTE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 CORRECT POSITION]

No. 1. Look toward the person saluted.

No. 2. Tip of forefinger right hand touches cap or hat above right eye.

Thumb and forefingers extended and joined. Hand and wrist straight. Palm to the left.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 INCORRECT POSITIONS OR COMMON ERRORS]

No. 1. Palm of the hand to the front and fingers not joined.

No. 2. Arm held too high. Fingers not perfectly joined.

No. 3. Fingers not extended and joined. Left hand not by side while salute is being made.

Some beginners forget, while saluting, to remove their pipes, cigarettes, or cigars from their mouths. This proves clearly that they are beginners, for trained and experienced men are careful about military honors and salutes.

THE RESTS

Being at a halt, the commands are: FALL OUT; REST; AT EASE; and 1.

Parade, 2. REST.

At the command fall out, the men may leave the ranks, but are required to remain in the immediate vicinity. They resume their former places, at attention, at the command fall in.

At the command rest, each man keeps one foot in place, but is not required to preserve silence or immobility.

At the command at ease, each man keeps one foot in place and is required to preserve silence, but not immobility.

1. Parade, 2. REST. Previously explained.

To resume the attention: 1. Squad, 2. ATTENTION. The men take the position of the soldier.

EYES RIGHT OR LEFT

1. Eyes, 2. RIGHT (LEFT), 3. FRONT.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

At the command right, turn the head to the right oblique, eyes fixed on the line of eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same rank. At the command front, turn the head and eyes to the front. Notice the right file does not turn the eyes to the right.

FACINGS

To the flank: 1. Right (left), 2. FACE.

[Ill.u.s.tration]