The Plattsburg Manual Part 6

TO MARCH BY THE FLANK

Being in march: 1. By the right (left) flank, 2. MARCH.

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

The command march must be given when the right foot is on the ground as shown in No. 1. Then advance and plant the left foot and turn on the toes to right as shown in No. 2, and step off with the right foot.

TO MARCH TO THE REAR

Being in march: 1. To the rear, 2. MARCH.

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

At the command march, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; turn to the right about on the b.a.l.l.s of both feet and immediately step off with the left foot.

The turn is made on the toes as shown.

The command march must be given when the right foot is on the ground.

The left foot is then advanced to the position shown.

If marching in double time, turn to the right about, taking four steps in place, keeping the cadence, and then step off with the left foot.

CHANGE STEP

Being in march; 1. Change step, 2. MARCH.

At the command march, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; plant the toe of the right foot near the heel of the left and step off with the left foot.

The change on the right foot is similarly executed, the command march being given as the left foot strikes the ground.

MANUAL OF ARMS

To acquire proficiency in the Manual of Arms, you should practice, practice, and practice.

Position of order arms standing, i.e., the position of attention under arms.

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

No. 1. Arm and hands hang naturally. Right hand holding piece between thumb and fingers. b.u.t.t rests evenly on ground. Barrel to the rear.

No. 2. Toe of the b.u.t.t on a line with toe of and touching the right shoe.

To execute the movements in detail, the instructor first cautions: "By the Numbers"; all movements divided into motions, are then executed singly. That is to say, make one motion and then wait until a further command for another. This is for the purpose of correcting erroneous positions and giving detailed instructions. We are explaining the manual by the numbers.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIRST POSITION OF PRESENT ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS]

Being at order arms: 1. Present, 2. ARMS. It takes two counts.

At command arms, with the right hand carry the piece in front of the center of the body. Barrel to the rear and vertical. Grasp it with left hand at the balance. Left forearm is horizontal and rests against body.

The balance of the piece is approximately the position of the rear sight.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CORRECT POSITION OF PRESENT ARMS]

At command two, grasp the small of the stock with the right hand.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 No. 3

INCORRECT POSITION OF PRESENT ARMS

These are the common errors made by beginners.]

No. 1. Thumb along barrel.

No. 2. Piece held too low. The front sight will be a little above the eyes when the left fore arm is horizontal.

No. 3. Piece not vertical; too close to body.

Being at order arms: 1. Port, 2. ARMS. It takes one count.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CORRECT POSITION OF PORT ARMS]

At the command ARMS, with the right hand raise and throw the piece diagonally across the body, grasp it smartly with both hands; the right; palm down, at the small of stock; the left, palm up, at the balance; barrel up, sloping to the left and crossing opposite the junction of the neck with the left shoulder; right forearm horizontal; left forearm resting against the body. The rifle is held in a vertical plane parallel to the front.

In executing this movement, it is a common error with beginners to raise the piece as though it weighed much more than it does. No part of the body should move except the arms, in coming to "port arms" from "order arms."

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 INCORRECT POSITIONS OF PORT ARMS]

No. 1. Arms held away from side.

No. 2. Piece held too low and too close to body.

No. 3. Piece held too high and not in a vertical plane parallel to the body.

Being at present arms: 1. Port, 2. ARMS. It is executed in one count. At the command arms, carry the piece diagonally across the body and take the position of "port arms."

Being at port arms: 1. Present, 2. ARMS. It is executed in one count. At the command arms, carry the piece to a vertical position in front of the center of the body and take the position of present arms.