CHAPTER IV
SCHOOL OF THE SQUAD
Based on the Infantry Drill Regulations
CLOSE ORDER DRILLS
For several days after reporting you will undergo many hours of close order drill. You will ask yourself, "Why is all this mental and physical strain necessary when these exercises are not used in battle?" The answer is: they are disciplinary exercises and are designed to inculcate that prompt and subconscious obedience which is essential to proper military control and to teach you precise and soldierly movements; hence, they are executed at attention.
DEFINITIONS
Deploy. To extend the front. A squad deploys when it goes "As skirmishers." A company likewise deploys when it goes from column into line.
File. Two men, the front rank man and the corresponding man in the rear rank. The front rank man is the file leader. A file which has no rear rank man is a blank file.
Interval. Space between elements of the same line. The interval between men in ranks is 4 inches and is measured from elbow to elbow. It is to get this interval that each man is required to raise his arm when the company is formed.
Distance. Space between elements in the direction of depth. It is measured from the back of the man in front to the breast of the man in rear. The rear rank when in line or column is 40 inches from the front rank.
The guide of a squad in line is right unless otherwise announced.
The guide of a squad deployed, (i.e., skirmishers) is center unless otherwise announced.
TO FORM THE SQUAD
To form the squad the instructor places himself 3 paces in front of where the center is to be and commands: Fall in.
The men assemble at attention, pieces at the order, and are arranged by the corporal in double rank, as nearly as practicable in order of height from right to left, each man dropping his left hand as soon as the man on his left has his interval. The rear rank forms with distance of 40 inches.
The instructor then commands: Count off.
At this command all except the right file execute eyes right, and beginning on the right, the men in each rank count one, two, three, four--one, two, three, four; each man turns his head and eyes to the front as he counts.
The purpose of putting the left hand on the hip is to get enough elbow room. A man should have sufficient space to operate his piece. These four-inch intervals give it to him.
Note the space between elbows (interval) is 4 inches. The space 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.
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 space 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.
This is what we have
This is what we want" />
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.
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.
[Illustration pos32:
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:
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.
No. 1 follows No. 2.
When No. 3 arrives on the line to be occupied by the rear rank he changes direction to the right; he moves in the new direction until in rear of No. 3, front rank, when Nos. 3, 2, and 1, rear rank, are in rear of Nos. 3, 2, and 1, front rank, (i.e., when they are in rear of their front rank men), they face to the right in marching and mark time. No. 4 marches on the left of No. 3 to his new position. As he arrives on the line, both ranks execute forward march without command, For the remainder of the squad to know when No. 4 front and rear rank have arrived on the line, they glance to see. The squad should step off on the 9th count.
Third Movement
RIGHT TURN
Being in line: 1. Right (left) turn, 2. MARCH.
At the command march, No. 1 front rank faces to the right in marching and takes the half step. Nos. 2, 3, and 4 front rank right oblique (turn 45 degrees to the right) until opposite their places in line, then execute a second right oblique and take the half step on arriving abreast of the pivot man. When No. 4 arrives on the line Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 take the full step without further command. (To know when No. 4 arrives on the line it is necessary to glance in his direction.) Full step on the 7th count.
The rear rank executes the movement in the same way and turns on the same ground as the front rank. The rear rank, therefore, moves forward at the command march, or continues to move forward, if already marching, until it arrives at the place where the front turned, when it turns.
Note that the squad turns on No. 1 front rank but that he does not remain in his position even temporarily, as in squad right; he is, therefore, called the moving pivot. No. 4 is called the marching flank.
Had the command been left turn, No. 4 would have been the moving pivot, and No. 1 the marching flank.
Knowing the three above movements, we are prepared for the following:
Being in line at a halt: 1. Take interval, 2. To the right (left), 3. MARCH, 4. Squad, 5. HALT.
At the command to the right (left), the rear rank men march backward four steps (15 inches each step) and halt.
LIKE THIS
Note that the actual distance from the front rank to the rear rank is now 40 plus 4x15 inches, i.e., 100 inches." />
LIKE THIS
Note that the actual distance from the front rank to the rear rank is now 40 plus 4x15 inches, i.e., 100 inches.
At the command march, all face to the right and No. 1 front and rear rank step off. No. 2, front and rear rank, follow No. 1, front and rear rank, at a distance of four paces. Likewise with the other numbers.
Like this, when No. 1 front and rear rank have gained four paces distance.
At the command halt, given when No. 3 is three paces distant from No. 4, all halt and face to the front.
The squad looks like this when the movement is completed.
Being at intervals: 1. Assemble, to the right, (left), 2. MARCH.
At the command march, No. 1 front rank stands fast. No. 1 rear rank closes to 40 inches. The other men face to the right, close by the shortest line, and face to the front.
Being in line at a halt: 1. Take distance, 2. MARCH, 3. Squad, 4. HALT.
At the command march, No. 1 of the front rank moves straight to the front; Nos. 2, 3, and 4 of the front rank and Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the rear rank, in the order named, move straight to the front, each stepping off so as to follow the preceding man at four paces. The command halt is given when all have their distances.
In case more than one squad is in line, each squad executes the movement as above. The guide of each rank of numbers is right.
The front rank men should walk straight to the front and their rear rank men should cover them accurately.
Being at distances, to assemble the squad: 1. Assemble, 2. MARCH.
No. 1 of the front rank stands fast; the other numbers move forward to their proper places in line.
THE OBLIQUE MARCH
For the instruction of recruits, the squad being in column or correctly aligned, the instructor causes the squad to face half right (or half left), points out to the men their relative positions, and explains that these are to be maintained in the oblique march.
1. Right (left) oblique, 2. MARCH.
Each man steps off in a direction 45 degrees to the right of his original front. He preserves his relative position, keeping his shoulders parallel to those of the guide (the man on the right front of the line or column), and so regulates his steps that the ranks remain parallel to their original front.
At the command halt, the men halt faced to the front.
To resume the original direction: 1. Forward, 2. MARCH.
The men half face to the left in marching and then move straight to the front.
If at half step or mark time while obliquing, the oblique march is resumed by the commands: 1. Oblique, 2. MARCH.
TO FOLLOW THE CORPORAL
Being assembled or deployed, to march the squad without unnecessary commands, the corporal places himself in front of it and commands: FOLLOW ME.
If in line or skirmish line, No. 2 of the front rank follows in the track of the corporal at about 3 paces; the other men conform to the movements of No. 2, guiding on him and maintaining their relative positions.
If in column, the head of the column follows the corporal.
Note that No. 4 rear rank takes the place of the corporal when the corporal is in front of the squad. This a general rule. When any front rank man is absent his rear rank man steps up in the front rank. When the squad is following the corporal No. 4 rear rank remains blank (i.e., No. 3 does not step to the left and cover No. 4).
TO DEPLOY AS SKIRMISHERS
Being in any formation, assembled: 1. As skirmishers, 2. MARCH.
The corporal places himself in front of the squad, if not already there. Moving at a run, the men place themselves abreast of the corporal at half-pace intervals. Nos. 1 and 2 on his right, Nos. 3 and 4 on his left, rear-rank men on the right of their file leaders, extra men on the left of No. 4; all then conform to the corporal's gait.
There is a rule of thumb that must be remembered. The rear-rank man is always on the right of his file leader.
A common error is for beginners to execute the movement at a slow trot which a run is required.
When the squad is acting alone, skirmish line is similarly formed on No. 2 of the front rank, who stands fast or continues the march, as the case may be; the corporal places himself in front of the squad when advancing and in rear when halted.
When deployed as skirmishers, the men march at ease, pieces at the trail unless otherwise ordered.
The corporal is the guide when in the line; otherwise No. 2 front rank is the guide. The guide is center.
The normal interval between skirmishers is one-half pace, resulting practically in one man per yard of front. The front of a squad thus deployed as skirmishers is about 10 paces.
SQUAD DEPLOYED ON CORPORAL
THIS IS THE WAY IT IS DONE" />
SQUAD DEPLOYED ON CORPORAL
THIS IS THE WAY IT IS DONE
The common error is to keep an interval of a very few inches when 15 inches are required.
TO INCREASE OR DIMINISH INTERVALS
If assembled, and it is desired to deploy at greater than the normal interval; or if deployed, and it is desired to increase or decrease the interval: 1. As skirmishers, (so many) paces, 2. MARCH.
Intervals are taken at the indicated number of paces. If already deployed, the men move by the flank or away from the guide.
The above command is used but very little.
THE ASSEMBLY
Being deployed: 1. Assemble, 2. MARCH.
The men move toward the corporal and form in their proper places.
If the corporal continues to advance, the men move in double time, form, and follow him.
The assembly while marching to the rear is not executed.
Note. It will be better for the beginner to let the remainder of this chapter go for awhile. Your instructor will explain all of the following points in a way that will be easier for you than for you to try to work them out alone. They will come up in the first month's work and will be explained and shown as you go along. As you become more proficient we advise you, then, to take up the remainder of the chapter.
If standing: KNEEL.
Half face to the right; carry the right toe about 1 foot to the left rear of the left heel; kneel on the right knee, sitting as nearly as possible on the right heel; left forearm across left thigh; piece remains in position of order arms, right hand grasping it above the lower hand.
If standing or kneeling: LIE DOWN.
Kneel, but with right knee against left heel; carry back the left foot and lie flat on the belly, inclining body about 35 degrees to the right; piece horizontal, barrel up, muzzle off the ground and pointed to the front; elbows on the ground; left hand at the balance, right hand grasping the small of the stock opposite the neck. This is the position of order arms, lying down.
If kneeling or lying down: RISE.
If kneeling, stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the left heel.
If lying down, raise body on both knees; stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the knees.
If lying down: KNEEL.
Raise the body on both knees; take the position of kneel.
In double rank, the positions of kneeling and lying down are ordinarily used only for the better utilization of cover.
When deployed as skirmishers, a sitting position may be taken in lieu of the kneeling position.
LOADINGS AND FIRINGS
The commands for loading and firing are the same whether standing, kneeling, or lying down. The firings are always executed at a halt.
When kneeling or lying down in double rank, the rear rank does not load, aim, or fire.
The instruction in firing will be preceded by a command for loading.
Loadings are executed in line and skirmish line only.
Pieces, having been ordered loaded, are kept loaded without command until the command unload, or inspection arms, fresh clips being inserted when the magazine is exhausted.
The aiming point or target is carefully pointed out. This may be done before or after announcing the sight setting. Both are indicated before giving the command for firing, but may be omitted when the target appears suddenly and is unmistakable; in such case battle sight is used if no sight setting is announced.
The target or aiming point having been designated and the sight setting announced, such designation or announcement need not be repeated until a change of either or both is necessary.
Troops are trained to continue their fire upon the aiming point or target designated, and at the sight setting announced, until a change is ordered.
If the men are not already in the position of load, that position is taken at the announcement of the sight setting; if the announcement is omitted, the position is taken at the first command for firing.
When deployed, the use of the sling as an aid to accurate firing is discretionary with each man.
TO LOAD
Being in line or skirmish line at halt: 1. With dummy (blank or ball) cartridges, 2. LOAD.
At the command load each front-rank man or skirmisher faces half right and carries the right foot to the right, about 1 foot, to such position as will insure the greatest firmness and steadiness of the body; raises, or lowers, the piece and drops it into the left hand at the balance, left thumb extended along the stock, muzzle at the height of the breast, and turns the cut-off up. With the right hand, he turns and draws the bolt back, takes a loaded clip and inserts the end in the clip slots, places the thumb on the powder space of the top cartridge, the fingers extending around the piece and tips resting on the magazine floor plate; forces the cartridges into the magazine by pressing down with the thumb; without removing the clip, thrusts the bolt home, turning down the handle; turns the safety lock to the "safe" and carries the hand to the small of the stock. Each rear rank man moves to the right front, takes a similar position opposite the interval to the right of his front rank man, muzzle of the piece extending beyond the front rank, and loads.
A skirmish line may load while moving, the pieces being held as neatly as practicable in the position of load.
If kneeling or sitting, the position of the piece is similar; if kneeling, the left forearm rests on the left thigh; if sitting the elbows are supported by the knees; if lying down, the left hand steadies and supports the piece at the balance, the toe of the butt resting on the ground, the muzzle off the ground.
STACK AND TAKE ARMS
The subject of stack and take arms is less important than the rest of this chapter. It is difficult to be learned from a book. Your company commander will explain it to you. It is given here to serve as a reference.
Being in line at a halt: STACK ARMS.
Each even number of the front rank grasps his piece with the left hand at the upper band and rests the butt between his feet, barrel to the front, muzzle inclined slightly to the front and opposite the center of the interval on his right, the thumb and forefinger raising the stacking swivel; each even number of the rear rank then passes his piece, barrel to the rear, to his file leader, who grasps it between the bands with his right hand and throws the butt about two feet in advance of that of his own piece and opposite the right of the interval, the right hand slipping to the upper band, the thumb and forefinger raising the stacking swivel, which he engages with that of his own piece; each odd number of the front rank raises his piece with the right hand, carries it well forward, barrel to the front; the left hand, guiding the stacking swivel, engages the lower hook of the swivel of his own piece with the free hook of that of the even number of the rear rank; he then turns the barrel outward into the angle formed by the other two pieces and lowers the butt to the ground, to the right of and against the toe of his right shoe.
The stacks made, the loose pieces are laid on them by the even numbers of the front rank.
When each man has finished handling pieces, he takes the position of the soldier.
Being in line behind the stacks: TAKE ARMS.
The loose pieces are returned by the even numbers of the front rank; each even number of the front rank grasps his own piece with the left hand, the piece of his rear-rank man with his right hand, grasping both between the bands; each odd number of the front rank grasps his piece in the same way with the right hand, disengages it by raising the butt from the ground and then, turning the piece to the right, detaches it from the stack; each even number of the front rank disengages and detaches his piece by turning it to the left, and then passes the piece of his rear-rank man to him, and all resume the order.
Should any squad have Nos. 2 and 3 blank files, No. 1 rear rank takes the place of No. 2 rear rank in making and breaking the stack; the stacks made or broken, he resumes his post.
Pieces not used in making the stack are termed loose pieces.