Test of marching.—The test of marching in fours is the position of the men when they turn into line. If there are no gaps or irregularities in the line, and the squad occupies the same frontage as before it formed fours, the marching is good. This test should be frequently applied during the instruction of recruits, and the slightest carelessness as regards the maintenance of the exact distance should be checked at once.
It must be explained to the men that odd numbers are right files, and even numbers left files.
In order that the left four may always be complete, the file on the left of a squad will invariably move back, and the second file from the left always stand fast in forming fours.
| Form—Fours. | 1. When in line at the halt.—On the word Fours, the left files will take a pace of 30 inches back, and then a side pace of 30 inches so as to cover their right files, the first pace being taken with the foot furthest from the right files. In this formation the squad will stand in fours. |
| Form—Two-deep. | On the word Two-deep the left files will move to their original position in line by taking a side pace of 30 inches, and a pace forward of 30 inches; or if the squad has been turned about while in fours, a side pace and a pace back. |
Formation of Fours.
2. Forming Fours to the Right (or Left).
| Form—Fours. | As already described. |
| Right (or Left). | The squad will turn as ordered. |
| Left (or Right)—Turn. | The squad will turn as ordered, and then form two-deep, as already described. |
If it is required to remain in fours, the word of command will be In Fours. Left (or Right)—Turn.
A squad moving to a flank in fours, on receiving the command Right (or Left)—Turn, will turn in the required direction and form two-deep without any further word of command. On receiving an order to incline to the right or left, the squad will remain in fours.