(b) Ration and carrying parties, orderlies, etc., will wear equipment and carry rifles unless otherwise ordered in special cases by an officer. Permission to discard equipment, and particularly to discard arms, should be sparingly given.
(c) Loading of rifles.—Except when it is necessary to shoot, a round will never be kept in the chamber. Cut-offs will always be "in" and the safety catch "back."
(d) The magazine will be kept charged with five rounds.
(e) In the fire trenches, bayonets will be fixed at night.
(f) Care of rifles.—All rifles and ammunition will be inspected by an officer at least twice a day, viz, at morning and evening "Stand to." They must be kept scrupulously clean at all times, and any mud or grit removed at once without waiting for the next inspection. Breech covers will always be kept on rifles, and so fixed that they can be immediately cast loose. Each platoon will have its full complement of "breech clearers" in charge of men fully instructed in their use.
(g) Noncommissioned officers and men in firing line and support will at all times be in possession of their rifles and bayonets. The rifles of men in support reserve trenches or dugouts may be placed in protected racks, so that they can be seized quickly. Not more than six will be in one rack.
(h) In very cold weather sentries will occasionally work the bolt of the rifle to prevent the striker becoming frozen.
(i) On no account is the rifle to be used for the purpose of carrying camp kettles and other loads.
(j) Ammunition boxes in the trenches will be examined frequently to see if the lids work easily. They will not be needlessly broken into. Each box will be placed on its side in a recess, protected from the weather, with the lid facing outwards, and with the broader end of the wooden lid uppermost.
(k) Every man will have 120 rounds in his possession.