Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 Part 14

A similar inspection is made immediately before dismissal.

If cartridges are found in the chamber or magazine, they are removed and placed in the belt.

Third. The cut-off is kept turned "off" except when cartridges are actually used.

Fourth. The bayonet is not fixed except in bayonet exercise, on guard, or for combat.

Fifth. Fall in is executed with the piece at the order arms. FALL OUT, REST, and AT EASE are executed as without arms. On resuming ATTENTION the position of order arms is taken.

Sixth. If at the order, unless otherwise prescribed, the piece is brought to the right shoulder at the command MARCH, the three motions corresponding with the first three steps. Movements may be executed at the trail by prefacing the preparatory command with the words AT TRAIL; as, 1. _At_trail,_forward_, 2.

MARCH; the trail is taken at the command march.

When the facings, alignments, open and close ranks, taking interval or distance, and a.s.semblings are executed from the order, raise the piece to the trail while in motion and resume the order on halting.

Seventh. The piece is brought to the order on halting. The execution of the order begins when the halt is completed.

Eighth. A disengaged hand in double time is held as when without arms.

76. The following rules govern the execution of the manual of arms:

First. In all positions of the left hand at the balance (center of gravity, bayonet unfixed) the thumb clasps the piece; the sling is included in the grasp of the hand.

Second. In all positions of the piece "diagonally across the body" the position of the piece, left arm and hand are the same as in port arms.

Third. In resuming the order from any position in the manual, the motion next to the last concludes with the b.u.t.t of the piece about 3 inches from the ground, barrel to the rear, the left hand above and near the right, steadying the piece, fingers extended and joined, forearm and wrist straight and inclining downward, all fingers of the right hand grasping the piece. To complete the order, lower the piece gently to the ground with the right hand, drop the left quickly by the side, and take the position of order arms.

Allowing the piece to drop through the right hand to the ground, or other similar abuse of the rifle to produce effect in executing the manual, is prohibited.

Fourth. The cadence of the motions is that of quick time; the recruits are first required to give their whole attention to the details of the motions, the cadence being gradually acquired as they become accustomed to handling their pieces. The instructor may require them to count aloud in cadence with the motions.

Fifth. The manual is taught at a halt and the movements are, for the purpose of instruction, divided into motions and executed in detail; in this case the command of EXECUTION determines the prompt execution of the first motion, and the commands, two, three, four, that of the other motions.

To execute the movements in detail, the instructor first cautions: BY THE NUMBERS; all movements divided into motions are then executed as above explained until he cautions: WITHOUT THE NUMBERS; or commands movements other than those in the manual of arms.

Sixth. Whenever circ.u.mstances require, the regular positions of the manual of arms and the firings may be ordered without regard to the previous position of the piece.

Under exceptional conditions of weather or fatigue the rifle may be carried in any manner directed.

77. POSITION OF ORDER ARMS STANDING: The b.u.t.t rests evenly on the ground, barrel to the rear, toe of the b.u.t.t on a line with toe of, and touching, the right shoe, arms and hands hanging naturally, right hand holding the piece between the thumb and fingers.

78. Being at order arms: 1. _Present_, 2. 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 the left hand at the balance, forearm horizontal and resting against the body. (TWO) Grasp the small of the stock with the right hand.

79. Being at order arms: 1. _Port_, 2. 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 the 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 piece in a vertical plane parallel to the front.

80. Being at present arms: 1. _Port_, 2. ARMS.

Carry the piece diagonally across the body and take the position of port arms.

81. Being at port arms: 1. _Present_, 2. ARMS.

Carry the piece to a vertical position in front of the center of the body and take the position of present arms.

82. Being at present or port arms: 1. _Order_, 2. ARMS.

Let go with the right hand; lower and carry the piece to the right with the left hand; regrasp it with the right hand just above the lower band; let go with the left hand, and take the next to the last position in coming to the order, (TWO) Complete the order.

83. Being at order arms: 1. _Right_shoulder_, 2. ARMS.

With the right hand raise and throw the piece diagonally across the body; carry the right hand quickly to the b.u.t.t, embracing it, the heel between the first two fingers. (TWO) Without changing the grasp of the right hand, place the piece on the right shoulder, barrel up and inclined at an angle of about 45 from the horizontal, trigger guard in the hollow of the shoulder, right elbow near the side, the piece in a vertical plane perpendicular to the front; carry the left hand, thumb and fingers extended and joined, to the small of the stock, tip of the forefinger touching the c.o.c.king piece, wrist straight and elbow down. (THREE) Drop the left hand by the side.

84. Being at right shoulder arms: 1. _Order_, 2. ARMS.

Press the b.u.t.t down quickly and throw the piece diagonally across the body, the right hand retaining the grasp of the b.u.t.t. (TWO), (THREE) Execute order arms us described from port arms.

85. Being at port arms: 1. _Right_shoulder_, 2. ARMS.

Change the right hand to the b.u.t.t. (TWO), (THREE) As in right shoulder arms from order arms.

86. Being at right shoulder arms: 1. _Port_, 2. ARMS.

Press the b.u.t.t down quickly and throw the piece diagonally across the body, the right hand retaining its grasp of the b.u.t.t. (TWO) Change the right hand to the small of the stock.

87. Being at right shoulder arms: 1. _Present_, 2. ARMS.

Execute port arms. (THREE) Execute present arms.

88. Being at present arms: 1. _Right_shoulder_, 2. ARMS.

Execute port arms. (TWO), (THREE), (FOUR) Execute right shoulder arms as from port arms.

89. Being at port arms: 1. _Left_shoulder_, 2. ARMS.

Carry the piece with the right hand and place it on the left shoulder, barrel up, trigger guard in the hollow of the shoulder; at the same time grasp the b.u.t.t with the left hand, heel between first and second fingers, thumb and fingers closed on the stock.

(TWO) Drop the right hand by the side.

Being at left shoulder arms: 1. _Port_, 2. ARMS.

Grasp the piece with the right hand at the small of the stock.

(TWO) Carry the piece to the right with the right hand, regrasp it with the left, and take the position of port arms.

LEFT SHOULDER ARMS may be ordered directly from the order, right shoulder or present, or the reverse. At the command ARMS execute PORT ARMS and continue in cadence to the position ordered.

90. Being at order arms: 1. _Parade_, 2. REST.