Manual of Military Training Part 3

=42. Line:= A formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other. (See Figs. 2 and 3.)

=43. Order, close:= The formation in which the units, in double rank, are arranged in line or in column with normal intervals and distances.

=44. Order, extended:= The formation in which the units are separated by intervals greater than in close order.

=45. Pace:= Thirty inches; the length of the full step in quick time.

=46. Point of rest:= The point at which a formation begins.

Specifically, the point toward which units are aligned in successive movements.

=47. Rank:= A line of men placed side by side.

=48. Right:= The right extremity or element of a body of troops.

=49.= NOTE. In view of the fact that the word "Echelon" is a term of such common usage, the following definition is given: By echelon we mean a formation in which the subdivisions are placed one behind another, extending beyond and unmasking one another either wholly or in part.--Author.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BATTALION IN ECHELON: COMPANIES UNMASKING WHOLLY]

[Ill.u.s.tration: BATTALION IN ECHELON: COMPANIES UNMASKING IN PART]

INTRODUCTION

=50. Object of military training.= Success in battle is the ultimate object of all military training; success may be looked for only when the training is intelligent and thorough. (1)

=51. Commanding officers accountable for proper training of organizations; field efficiency; team-work.= Commanding officers are accountable for the proper training of their respective organizations within the limits prescribed by regulations and orders. (2)

The excellence of an organization is judged by its field efficiency.

The field efficiency of an organization depends primarily upon its effectiveness as a whole. Thoroughness and uniformity in the training of the units of an organization are indispensable to the efficiency of the whole; it is by such means alone that the requisite team-work may be developed.

=52. Simple movements and elastic formations.= Simple movements and elastic formations are essential to correct training for battle. (3)

=53. Drill Regulations a Guide; their interpretation.= The Drill Regulations are furnished as a guide. They provide the principles for training and for increasing the probability of success in battle. (4)

In the interpretation of the regulations, the spirit must be sought.

Quibbling over the minutiae of form is indicative of failure to grasp the spirit.

=54. Combat principles.= The principles of combat are considered in Pars. 50-363. They are treated in the various schools included in Part I of the Drill Regulations only to the extent necessary to indicate the functions of the various commanders and the division of responsibility between them. The amplification necessary to a proper understanding of their application is to be sought in Pars. 364-613.

(5)

=55. Drills at attention, ceremonies, extended order, field exercises and combat exercises.= The following important distinctions must be observed:

(a) Drills executed at =attention= and the ceremonies are =disciplinary exercises= designed to teach precise and soldierly movement, and to inculcate that prompt and subconscious obedience which is essential to proper military control. To this end, smartness and precision should be exacted in the execution of every detail. Such drills should be frequent, but short.

(b) The purpose of =extended order drill= is to teach the =mechanism= of deployment of the firing, and, in general, of the employment of troops in combat. Such drills are in the nature of disciplinary exercises and should be frequent, thorough, and exact, in order to habituate men to the firm control of their leaders. Extended order drill is executed =at ease=. The company is the largest unit which executes extended order drill.

(c) =Field exercises= are for instruction in the duties incident to campaign. a.s.sumed situations are employed. Each exercise should conclude with a discussion, on the ground, of the exercise and principles involved.

(d) The =combat exercise, a form of field exercise= of the company, battalion, and larger units, consists of the =application of tactical principles= to a.s.sumed situations, employing in the execution the appropriate formations and movements of close and extended order.

Combat exercises must simulate, as far as possible, the battle conditions a.s.sumed. In order to familiarize both officers and men with such conditions, companies and battalions will frequently be consolidated to provide war-strength organizations. Officers and noncommissioned officers not required to complete the full quota of the units partic.i.p.ating are a.s.signed as observers or umpires.

The firing line can rarely be controlled by the voice alone; thorough training to insure the proper use of prescribed signals is necessary.

The exercise should be followed by a brief drill at attention in order to restore smartness and control. (6)

=56. Imaginary, outlined and represented enemy.= In field exercises the enemy is said to be =imaginary= when his position and force are merely a.s.sumed; =outlined= when his position and force are indicated by a few men; =represented= when a body of troops acts as such. (7)

General Rules for Drills and Formations

=57. Arrangement of elements of preparatory command.= When the =preparatory= command 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.

(For example: =1. Column of Companies, first company, squads right. 2.

March.=--Author.)

(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. (For example: =1. Squads right. 2.

March.=--Author.) (8)

=58. Movements executed toward either flank explained toward but one flank.= 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. (9)

=59. Any movement may be executed from halt or when marching unless otherwise prescribed.= 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=. (10)

=60. Any movement may be executed in double time unless specially excepted.= 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. (11)

=61. Successive movements executed in double time.= 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. (12)

=62. To hasten execution of movement begun in quick time.= 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 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. (13)

=63. To stay execution of movement when marching, for correction of errors.= 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.

(14)

=64. To revoke preparatory command or begin anew movement improperly begun.= 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. (15)

=65. Guide.= 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. Exception: =1. As skirmishers, guide right (left or center), 2. MARCH.= (16)