Part 9 (1/2)

General Rules for Drills and Formations.

8. When the PREPARATORY commands consists of more than one part its elements are arranged as follows:

(1) For movements to be executed successively by the subdivisions or elements of an organization: (a) Description of the movement; (b) how executed, or on what element executed.

(2) For movements to be executed simultaneously by the subdivisions of an organization: (a) The designation of the subdivisions; (b) the movement to be executed.

9. Movements that may be executed toward either flank are explained as toward but one flank, it being necessary to subst.i.tute the word ”left” for ”right,” and the reverse, to have the explanation of the corresponding movement toward the other flank. The commands are given for the execution of the movements toward either flank.

The subst.i.tute word of the command is placed within parentheses.

10. Any movement may be executed either from the halt or when marching, unless otherwise prescribed. If at a halt, the command for movements involving marching need not be prefaced by forward, as 1. _Column_right_(left)_, 2. MARCH.

11. Any movement not specially excepted may be executed in double time.

If at a halt, or if marching in quick time, the command double time precedes the command of execution.

12. In successive movements executed in double time the leading or base unit marches in QUICK TIME when not otherwise prescribed; the other units march in DOUBLE TIME to their places in the formation ordered and then conform to the gait of the leading or base unit.

If marching in double time, the command DOUBLE TIME is omitted.

The leading or base unit marches in QUICK TIME; the other units continue at DOUBLE TIME to their places in the formation ordered and then conform to the gait of the leading or base unit.

13. To hasten the execution of a movement begun in quick time, the command: 1. _Double_time_, 2. MARCH, is given. The leading or base unit continues to march in quick time, or remains at a halt if already halted; the other units complete the execution of the movement in double time and then conform to the gait of the leading or base unit.

14. To stay the execution of a movement when marching, for the correction of errors, the command: 1. _In_place_, 2. HALT, is given. All halt and stand fast, without changing the position of the pieces. To resume the movement the command: 1. _Resume_, 2. MARCH, is given.

15. To revoke a preparatory command, or, being at a halt to begin anew a movement improperly begun, the command, AS YOU WERE, is given, at which the movement ceases and the former position is resumed.

16. Unless otherwise announced, the guide of a company or subdivision of a company in line is right; of a battalion in line or line of subdivisions or of a deployed line, center; of a rank in column of squads, toward the side of the guide of the company.

To march with guide other than as prescribed above, or to change the guide: Guide (right, left, or center).

In successive formations into line, the guide is toward the point of rest; in platoons or larger subdivisions it is so announced.

The announcement of the guide, when given in connection with a movement, follows the command of execution for that movement.

Exception: 1. _As_skirmishers,_guide_right_(left_or_center)_, 2. MARCH.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. The designations LINE OF PLATOON, 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.

20. Full distance in column of subdivisions is such that in forming line to the right or left the subdivisions will have their proper intervals.