The Plattsburg Manual Part 10

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Note the s.p.a.ce between elbows (interval) is 4 inches. The s.p.a.ce between the front and rear rank (distance) is 40 inches, and is measured from the back of the man in front to the breast of the man in the rear.

ALIGNMENTS

To align the squad, the base file or files having been established: 1.

Right (left), 2. DRESS, 3. FRONT.

At the command dress, all men place the left hand upon the hip (whether dressing to the right or left); each man, except the base file, when on or near the new lines executes eyes right, and, taking steps of 2 or 3 inches, places himself so that his right arm rests lightly against the elbow of the man on his right (vice versa in left dressing), and so that his eyes and shoulders are in line with those of the men on his right, and also that each man can see the eyes of at least two men on his right.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The instructor verifies the alignment of both ranks from the right flank and orders up or back such men as may be in the rear, or in advance, of the line; only the men designated move.

At the command front, given when the ranks are aligned, each man turns his head and eyes to the front and drops his left hand by his side.

There are in dressing a number of common errors that we should try to avoid. Don't jab the man on your left with your elbow. If you are not on the line, move your feet. Don't lean forward or backward. Be sure to touch gently the man on your right with your right arm. Be certain to keep your left elbow forced well to the front. This is a little uncomfortable at first, but unless we do this our arms will not measure the 4 inches correctly. Don't hump up the left shoulder, and don't turn the shoulders to the right. Keep fingers of left hand extended and joined.

We want to place especial stress on the importance of three movements in the school of the squad. When you have thoroughly mastered these three, you will have a splendid basis for the remainder of the School of the Squad, the full value of which you will later appreciate. These are: Squad right, Squad right about, and Right turn.

The first line drawing in this chapter shows correct proportions of interval and distance. To save s.p.a.ce and for convenience, the drawings hereafter are made without regard to proportions (intervals and distances).

First Movement

SQUAD RIGHT

Being in line, to turn and march: 1. Squad right (left), 2. MARCH.

In this movement many instructors have recruit squads step off on the 7th count. When the drill progresses the squad should step off on the 5th count.

[Ill.u.s.tration: This is what we have

This is what we want]

At the command march, No. 1 in the front rank faces to the right in marching and marks time; Nos. 2, 3, and 4 of the front rank turn 45 degrees to the right (right oblique), place themselves abreast (on the same line) of No. 1 and mark time.

Now it is difficult quickly to understand the movements of the rear rank. Give them a lot of study and don't go on until you are certain that you understand.

[Ill.u.s.tration: This is the way it is done.]

No. 3 moves straight to the front.

No. 2 follows No. 3.

No. 1 follows No. 2.

When they (Nos. 3, 2 and 1) arrive in rear of their file leaders, (Nos.

3, 2 and 1, front rank) they face to the right in marching and mark time.

No. 4 of the rear rank moves straight to the front four paces, and places himself abreast of No. 3, rear rank.

When No. 4, front rank, and No. 4, rear rank, are on the line, (and the remainder of the squad must glance toward them to see when that is true), the whole squad moves forward without further command.

Note that we have said that No. 1 front rank marks time. We see that he becomes, temporarily, an immovable pivot for his squad. We, therefore, call him a fixed pivot.

Had the command been squad left, instead of squad right, No. 4 would have been the fixed pivot instead of No. 1.

Being in line, to turn and halt: 1. Squad right (left), 2. MARCH, 3.

Squad, 4. HALT.

The turn is executed as prescribed in the preceding case except that all men, on arriving on the new line, mark time until the command halt is given, when all halt.

Whenever the third command (i.e., squad) is given means that the command halt is to follow. This is caution to the squad to prepare to halt. The command halt should be given as No. 4 arrives on the line.

Second Movement

SQUAD RIGHT ABOUT

Being in line, to turn about and march: 1. Squad right (left) about, 2.

MARCH.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

This is what we have

This is what we want]

At the command march, the front rank twice executes Squad right, initiating (starting) the second Squad right when No. 4 has arrived on the line. That much is very simple.

The rear rank has a harder task. Let us have the front and rear rank execute the movement separately:

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The rear rank is to take its place on the dotted line a b.

No. 3 rear rank moves straight to the front until in prolongation of the line to be occupied by the rear rank.

No. 2 follows No. 3.