Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 Part 12

(See ill.u.s.trations in chapter XII.)

SECTION 4. SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER.

48. The instructor explains briefly each movement, first executing it himself if practicable. He requires the recruits to take the proper positions una.s.sisted and does not touch them for the purpose of correcting them, except when they are unable to correct themselves. He avoids keeping them too long at the same movement, although each should be understood before pa.s.sing to another.

He exacts by degrees the desired precision and uniformity.

49. In order that all may advance as rapidly as their abilities permit, the recruits are grouped according to proficiency as instruction progresses. Those who lack apt.i.tude and quickness are separated from the others and placed under experienced drill masters.

INSTRUCTION WITHOUT ARMS.

50. For preliminary instruction a number of recruits, usually not exceeding three or four, are formed as a squad in single rank.

POSITION OF THE SOLDIER, OR ATTENTION.

51. Heels on the same line and as near each other us the conformation of the man permits.

Feet turned out equally and forming an angle of about 45.

Knees straight, without stiffness.

Hips level and drawn back slightly; body erect and resting equally on hips; chest lifted and arched; shoulders square and falling equally.

Arms and hands hanging naturally, thumb along the seam of the trousers.

Head erect and squarely to the front, chin drawn in so that the axis of the head and neck is vertical; eyes straight to the front.

Weight of the body resting equally upon the heels and b.a.l.l.s of the feet.

THE RESTS.

52. 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.

53. 1. _Parade_, 2. REST. Carry the right foot 6 inches straight to the rear, left knee slightly bent; clasp the hands, without constraint, in front of the center of the body, fingers joined, left hand uppermost, left thumb clasped by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand; preserve silence and steadiness of position.

54. To resume the attention: 1. _Squad_, 2. ATTENTION.

The men take the position of the soldier.

EYES RIGHT OR LEFT.

55. 1. _Eyes_, 2. RIGHT (LEFT), 3. FRONT.

At the command right, turn the head to the right oblique, eyes fixed on the line of eye of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same rank. At the command front, turn the head and eyes to the front.

FACINGS.

56. To the flank: 1. _Right_(left)_, 2. FACE. Raise slightly the left heel and right toe; face to the right turning on the right heel, a.s.sisted by a slight pressure on the ball of the left foot; place the left foot by the side of the right. Left face is executed on the left heel in the corresponding manner.

Right (left) half face is executed similarly, facing 45.

"To face in marching" and advance, turn on the ball of either foot and step off with the other foot in the new line of direction; to face in marching without gaining ground in the new direction, turn on the ball of either foot and mark time.

57. To the rear: 1. _About_, 2. FACE.

Carry the toe of the right foot about a half foot-length to the rear and slightly to the left of the left heel without changing the position of the left foot; face to the rear, turning to the right on the left heel and right toe; place the right heel by the side of the left.

SALUTE WITH THE HAND.

58. 1. _Hand_, 2. SALUTE.

Raise the right hand smartly till the tip of the forefinger touches the lower part of the headdress or forehead above the right eye, thumb and fingers extended and joined, palm to the left, forearm inclined at about 45, hand and wrist straight; at the same time look toward the person saluted. (TWO) Drop the arm smartly by the side.

For rules governing salutes, see "Honors and Salutes," paragraphs 758-765.

STEPS AND MARCHINGS.

59. All steps and marchings executed from a halt, except right step, begin with the left foot.

60. The length of the full step in quick time is 30 inches, measured from heel to heel, and the cadence is at the rate of 120 steps per minute.

The length of the full step in double time is 36 inches; the cadence is at the rate of 180 steps per minute.

The instructor, when necessary, indicates the cadence of the step by calling ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, or LEFT, RIGHT, the instant the left and right root, respectively, should be planted.

61. All steps and marchings and movements involving march are executed in QUICK TIME unless the squad be marching in DOUBLE TIME, or DOUBLE TIME be added to the command: in the latter case DOUBLE TIME is added to the preparatory command. Example: 1.

_Squad_right,_double_time_, 2. MARCH (School of the Squad).

QUICK TIME.

62. Being at a halt, to march forward in quick time: 1.

_Forward_, 2. MARCH.

At the command FORWARD, s.h.i.+ft the weight of the body to the right leg, left knee straight.