Manual of Military Training Part 4

=66. Turn on fixed and moving pivots.= The turn on the fixed pivot by subdivisions is used in all formations from line into column and the reverse.

The turn on the =moving pivot= is used by subdivisions of a column in executing changes of direction. (17)

=67. Partial changes of direction.= Partial changes of direction may be executed:

By interpolating in the preparatory command the word =half, as Column half right (left), or Right (left) half turn=. A change of direction of 45 is executed.

By the command: =INCLINE TO THE RIGHT (LEFT).= The guide, or guiding element, moves in the indicated direction and the remainder of the command conforms. This movement effects slight changes of direction.

(18)

=68. Line of platoons, companies, etc.= The =designations line of platoons, line of companies, line of battalions=, etc., refer to the formations in which the platoons, companies, battalions, etc., each in column of squads, are in line. (19)

=69. Full distance in column of subdivisions; guide of leading subdivision charged with step and direction.= Full distance in column of subdivisions is such that in forming line to the right or left the subdivisions will have their proper intervals.

In column of subdivisions the guide of the leading subdivision is charged with the step and direction; the guides in rear preserve the trace, step, and distance. (20)

=70. Double rank, habitual close order formation; uniformity of interval between files obtained by placing hand on hip.= In close order, all details, detachments, and other bodies of troops are habitually formed in double rank.

To insure uniformity of interval between files when falling in, and in alignments, each man places the palm of the left hand upon the hip, fingers pointing downward. In the first case, the hand is dropped by the side when the next man on the left has his interval; in the second case, at the command front. (21)

=71. Posts of officers, noncommissioned officers, and special units; duties of file closers.= The posts of officers, noncommissioned officers, special units (such as band or machine-gun company), etc., in the various formations of the company, battalion, or regiment, are shown in plates.

In all changes from one formation to another involving a change of post on the part of any of these, posts are promptly taken by the most convenient route as soon as practicable after the command of execution for the movement; officers and noncommissioned officers who have prescribed duties in connection with the movement ordered, take their new posts when such duties are completed.

As instructors, officers and noncommissioned officers go wherever their presence is necessary. As file closers it is their duty to rectify mistakes and insure steadiness and promptness in the ranks.

(22)

=72. Special units have no fixed posts except at ceremonies.=

Except at ceremonies, the special units have no fixed places. They take places as directed; in the absence of directions, they conform as nearly as practicable to the plates, and in subsequent movements maintain their relative positions with respect to the flank or end of the command on which they were originally posted. (23)

[Ill.u.s.tration]

=73. General, field and staff officers habitually mounted; formation of staff; drawing and returning saber.= General, field, and staff officers are habitually mounted. The staff of any officer forms in single rank, 3 paces in rear of him, the right of the rank extending 1 pace to the right of a point directly in rear of him. Members of the staff are arranged in order from right to left as follows: General staff officers, adjutant, aids, other staff officers, arranged in each cla.s.sification in order of rank, the senior on the right. The flag of the general officer and the orderlies are 3 paces in rear of the staff, the flag on the right. When necessary to reduce the front of the staff and orderlies, each line executes =twos right or fours right=, as explained in the Cavalry Drill Regulations, and follows the commander.

When not otherwise prescribed, staff officers draw and return saber with their chief. (24)

=74. Mounted officer turns to left in executing about; when commander faces about to give commands, staff and others stand fast.= In making the about, an officer, mounted, habitually turns to the left.

When the commander faces to give commands, the staff, flag, and orderlies do not change position. (25)

=75. Saluting when making and receiving reports; saluting on meeting.= When making or receiving official reports, or on meeting out of doors, all officers will salute.

Military courtesy requires the junior to salute first, but when the salute is introductory to a report made at a military ceremony or formation, to the representative of a common superior (as, for example, to the adjutant, officer of the day, etc.), the officer making the report, whatever his rank, will salute first; the officer to whom the report is made will acknowledge by saluting that he has received and understood the report. (26)

=76. Formation of mounted enlisted men for ceremonies.= For ceremonies, all mounted enlisted men of a regiment or smaller unit, except those belonging to the machine-gun organizations, are consolidated into a detachment; the senior present commands if no officer is in charge. The detachment is formed as a platoon or squad of cavalry in line or column of fours; noncommissioned staff officers are on the right or in the leading ranks. (27)

=77. Post of dismounted noncommissioned staff officers for ceremonies.= For ceremonies, such of the noncommissioned staff officers as are dismounted are formed 5 paces in rear of the color, in order of rank from right to left. In column of squads they march as file closers. (28)

=78. Post of noncommissioned staff officers and orderlies other than for ceremonies.= Other than for ceremonies, noncommissioned staff officers and orderlies accompany their immediate chiefs unless otherwise directed. If mounted, the noncommissioned staff officers are ordinarily posted on the right or at the head of the orderlies. (29)

=79. Noncommissioned officer commanding platoon or company, carrying of piece and taking of post.= In all formations and movements a noncommissioned officer commanding a platoon or company carries his piece as the men do, if he is so armed, and takes the same post as an officer in like situation. When the command is formed in line for ceremonies, a noncommissioned officer commanding a company takes post on the right of the right guide after the company has been aligned.

(30)

ORDERS, COMMANDS, AND SIGNALS

=80. When commands, signals, and orders are used.= =Commands= only are employed in drill at attention. Otherwise either a =command, signal, or order= is employed, as best suits the occasion, or one may be used in conjunction with another. (31)

=81. Instruction in use of signals; use of headdress, etc., in making signals.= =Signals= should be freely used in instruction, in order that officers and men may readily know them. In making arm signals, the saber, rifle, or headdress may be held in the hand. (32)

=82. Fixing of attention; a signal includes command of preparation and of execution.= Officers and men fix their attention at the first word of command, the first note of the bugle or whistle, or the first motion of the signal. A signal includes both the preparatory command and the command of execution; the movement commences as soon as the signal is understood, unless otherwise prescribed. (33)

=83. Repeating orders, commands and signals; officers, platoon leaders, guides and musicians equipped with whistles; whistles with different tones.= Except in movements executed at =attention=, commanders or leaders of subdivisions repeat orders, commands, or signals whenever such repet.i.tion is deemed necessary to insure =prompt= and correct execution.

Officers, battalion noncommissioned staff officers, platoon leaders, guides, and musicians are equipped with whistles.

The Major and his staff will use a whistle of distinctive tone; the captain and company musicians a second and distinctive whistle; the platoon leaders and guides a third distinctive whistle. (34)

=84. Limitation of prescribed signals; special prearranged signals.= Prescribed signals are limited to such as are essential as a subst.i.tute for the voice under conditions which render the voice inadequate.

Before or during an engagement special signals may be agreed upon to facilitate the solution of such special difficulties as the particular situation is likely to develop, but it must be remembered that simplicity and certainty are indispensable qualities of a signal. (35)

Orders

=85. Orders defined; when employed.= In these regulations an =order= embraces instructions or directions given orally or in writing in terms suited to the particular occasion and not prescribed herein.

=Orders= are employed only when the =commands= prescribed herein do not sufficiently indicate the will of the commander.

Orders are more fully described in paragraphs 378 to 383, inclusive.

(36)

Commands

=86. Command defined.= In these regulations a =command= is the will of the commander expressed in the phraseology prescribed herein. (37)

=87. Kinds of commands; how given.= There are two kinds of commands:

The =preparatory= command, such as =forward=, indicates the movement that is to be executed.

The command of =execution=, such as =MARCH=, =HALT=, or =ARMS=, causes the execution.

=Preparatory= commands are distinguished by =italics=; those of execution by =CAPITALS=.

Where it is not mentioned in the text who gives the commands prescribed, they are to be given by the commander of the unit concerned.