Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army Part 26

As the inspector returns the piece the next man executes =inspection arms=, and so on through the troop.

Should the piece be inspected without handling, each man proceeds as above as soon as the captain pa.s.ses to the next man.

=265.= As the inspector approaches the right of the rank of odd numbers, after completing the inspection of the rifles of the even numbers, the first two troopers of the rank execute =inspection pistol=.

To inspect the pistol closely the inspector grasps it with his left hand above the trooper's hand, makes such examination as is desired, and hands the pistol back to the trooper in the same position as that in which the inspector took the weapon. The trooper takes the pistol with the right hand as in =inspection pistol= and executes =return pistol=. Should the pistols be inspected without handling, each man executes =return pistol= as the inspector pa.s.ses to the next trooper.

=266.= If no indication be given for the inspection of rifles they _remain slung or in the scabbard_, according to the equipment carried.

If only rifles are ordered inspected, pistols are not presented for inspection and rifles are slung or returned to the scabbard as soon as inspected.

If only pistols are ordered inspected, they are presented by the two troopers on the right when the inspector approaches the rank the first time after dismounting.

=267.= During the inspection of arms the inspector, observes the appearance of the men, horses, equipment, and clothing.

After the inspection of arms is completed he makes such further inspection of equipment, clothing, etc., as he may consider desirable.

During this part of the inspection the troopers may be permitted to stand =at ease=.

=268.= If an inspection of arms of a detailed character be made in connection with a _dismounted_ formation it is conducted by the above commands and in accordance with the above methods in so far as applicable. Rifles are presented for inspection as described without special indication when the inspector approaches the rank after commanding =FRONT= (par. 258). Except when rifles are slung as provided in the next sentence, each trooper executes =order arms= as soon as his rifle is returned to him. Should the troopers be armed with both rifle and pistol, each trooper slings his rifle as soon as inspected if the equipment in use so permits; otherwise the rifles are stacked (par. 115) by command after being inspected. The pistols are then inspected, after which =take arms= (par. 116) is executed before the troopers are dismissed.

PART II--ELEMENTARY COLLECTIVE INSTRUCTION.

=Section 5. Elementary collective instruction.=

GENERAL PROVISIONS.

=321.= The elementary collective instruction of the trooper includes the instruction in the =School of the Squad= and in the mechanism of the movements prescribed in the =School of the Platoon=. This latter instruction is given as prescribed in par. 444.

=Section 6. Basic principles of the drill.=

=322.= The following provisions apply generally to the =School of the Squad and to all subsequent drill=. Previous provisions of a similar general character are to be found in pars. 43-49.

=323.= =Leading=: A commander leading his unit marches in the direction and at the gait desired. He is followed at a specified distance by the base (Def.), which conforms to his gait and direction.

The commander thus controls the movements of the base, and may at any time by his indication conveyed in the most convenient way (as by his own movements, his commands, or signals) cause the base to change its direction or to increase or decrease the pace or gait or to halt, according to the object in view. Elements of the same kind as the base regulate upon the latter conforming to its gait and direction.

=324.= =Directing leader=, =directing guide=: A commander who desires to become temporarily free in his movements may leave his position as leader, first indicating: =DISREGARD= (_see_ Signals) for the information of the leader of the base unit, who then becomes the =directing leader= (Def.). The latter then ceases to follow in the trace of the commander and temporarily conducts the march. In the absence of other indication from the leader he maintains the existing direction and gait.

=When necessary= the conduct of the march of a group (e.g., a platoon) having no subordinate leader may similarly be intrusted to the guide.

The latter then becomes the =directing guide= (Def.).

=325.= Whenever a change of formation involves a break in the continuity of the leading the leader habitually moves at once to his new position, so as to resume leaders.h.i.+p with the least practicable delay. He usually starts at the command of execution for the movement.

Should he start for his new position before the command of execution he first cautions or Signals: =DISREGARD= for the information of the base.

=326.= =Change of directing unit (base)=: Whenever a change of formation results in a change of the base, the base of the formation from which the movement is executed continues, in the absence of specific indication to the contrary, to be the base until the new base is indicated.

In movements from line by which column is formed directly to a flank, the element of the column on the flank toward which the column is formed is the base upon which other similar elements regulate during the formation of the column as well as after the column is formed.

=327.= =Changes of direction=: Any movement may be executed either from the halt or when marching, unless otherwise prescribed. If executed from the halt the command =forward= need not be prefixed to any other preparatory command that indicates a direction of march; thus, being at a halt, 1. =Column right=, 2. =MARCH=; but, 1. =Forward trot=, 2. =MARCH.=

=328.= To insure certainty of prompt execution, commands (and signals) must be so given that their meaning is unmistakable. The preparatory command must be given at such an interval of time before the command of execution as will admit of the former being properly understood, and should be followed by a distinct pause that properly varies in length with the size of the body of troops that is to execute the movement. The command of execution should be given the instant the movement is to begin.

=329.= All changes of direction are simply applications of the principle of leading as explained in pars. 323 and 367.

(_a_) The =turn= (par. 386) and =half turn= (par. 388) are _special_ cases of the change of direction =in line= in that they involve a change of direction of _90_ and _45_, respectively; _as executed by the platoon and squad_, they differ further from the general case of the change of direction in that the leader follows a _specially prescribed arc_ during the turn (par. 387); in the troop and larger units, the leader in each case regulates the arc upon which he moves during the turn in accordance with the length of the front and the requirements of the special case.

(_b_) For a change of direction in any column formation, the elements of the column successively change direction _on the same ground_, the change in each successive element being made in accordance with the principles that regulate the change of direction in line (_a_). In each successive element the leader (if any) and the guide move over the _same path that is followed by the leader at the head of the column_.

=330.= The principles and methods laid down in the =School of the Trooper= (dismounted and mounted) are, except as may otherwise be indicated, or where clearly applicable only to individual instruction, to be followed in corresponding instruction in the =School of the Squad= and in all subsequent training. The same commands apply unless otherwise stated.

Certain modifications in the execution of some of the movements, incident to their use in collective instruction, are noted in appropriate places in the =School of the Squad=.

=331.= =Column of twos and of troopers=: Movements, involving the use of column of twos or troopers, although simple in principle, are not adapted to execution as movements of precision, and the details of their execution will be regulated accordingly (pars. 393-400).

Familiarity with the practical use of these formations must be insisted upon, but they will be taken in the simplest manner consistent with efficiency in their use.

=382.= To avoid repet.i.tion the detailed descriptions and explanations of collective movements are, as a rule, based only upon the execution of the mounted movements.

=383.= _Gaits for mounted movements._--All mounted movements not specially excepted may be executed at the trot or gallop (par. 239).

For the execution of a movement at the =trot or gallop= the command =trot= or =gallop= precedes the command =march= unless marching at the gait desired or unless it be otherwise prescribed. When the indication for the =trot= or =gallop= is included in the command for the movement it precedes the command =march=; thus, 1. =Forward, trot=; 2. =MARCH.=

=334.= When the troopers of any element (Def.) move at different gaits, if the gait of such =element= be referred to, the gait of its =base= is to be understood.

=335.= A gait is said to be =correspondingly faster or correspondingly slower= than another gait when there is a difference of one degree between the two (par. 239).

=336.= In the rules included in pars. 333 to 337 the expression "other elements" (Def.) means in each case elements of the _same kind as the base_.

=337.= (_a_) In movements from the halt the base moves at the walk unless another gait be stated in the command or indicated by the leader's movements.

(_b_) =In forming line to the front from column= the other elements (par. 336) take, without command, a correspondingly faster gait than the base. =If gallop= be _commanded_ at any time, it applies only to the other elements (_f_). The base (leading element) habitually preserves the gait of march (_a_). The leader controls the movements of the base according to the object in view. He may diminish its pace or gait or halt it to hasten the formation. A command to decrease the gait or to halt, given during the execution of the movement, applies only to those elements that have already completed the movement. The leader habitually so controls the base that elements in rear need not move faster than a maneuver gallop in order to execute the movement.

(_c_) =Column to the front is formed from line= on the base at the gait of march (_a_) or at the gait ordered (_e_). The other elements (par. 336) take or maintain a correspondingly slower gait (or, if halted, remain so) until they can move at the gait of the base to take their places in the column. If an increased gait be _commanded_ at any time, it is taken at first only by the leader and base or by the leader and those elements that have already moved to enter the column (_f_)

(_d_) In cases not covered by (_b_) or (_c_), if the base and other elements have equal distances to go they move at the gait of march or at that indicated in the command (e.g., 1. =Platoons right turn, trot=; 2. =MARCH=).

(_e_) In cases not covered by (_b_), (_c_), or (_d_) (e.g., a.s.semble from =foragers=, par. 414), or by some special provision in the description of the corresponding movement (e.g., =echelon=, par. 702) the base maintains the gait of march (_a_) or takes that of the leader; the other elements move at a correspondingly faster or slower gait as may be necessary for the execution of the movement and on arriving at their places take the gait of the base (par. 338). If a special gait be commanded, it is taken by the base or by the other elements, in accordance with the principle stated in (_f_).

(_f_) When the commander indicates a special gait, whether in the preparatory command or during the execution of the movement, the effect is always to, _hasten the completion of the movement_. This principle will a.s.sist in applying the rules in (_b_), (_c_), and (_e_).

(_g_) Changes of gait made by elements, without command, in accordance with the above rules, are, except as specially indicated in the commands, changes of one degree.

=338.= Any exceptions to the above rules are noted where they occur.

=339.= _Gaits for movements on foot._--(_a_) The general principles of gaits for mounted movements apply to movements on foot with the modifications noted in (_b_) to (_g_), below, and such others as are to be readily inferred from the application of the principles of the =School of the Trooper, Dismounted=.

(_b_) No element moves in =double time= unless the movement be executed when marching in =double time= or =double time= be commanded (par. 47) or otherwise indicated by the leader. No trooper increases the length of the step or the cadence unless specially so prescribed.