Infantry training, 1905

by Great Britain. War Office

THE TRAINING OF THE COMPANY.

59. Preliminary Remarks.

1. The Recruit.—When the recruit has been thoroughly instructed in the elements of drill and skirmishing, he will take his place in the ranks of his company.

2. The Company as the School of Instruction.—The company, from its size and organisation, is the best school of instruction in all field duties, and in it both officers and non-commissioned officers will be trained to accept responsibility, and to use initiative with judgment. It is the largest unit that can be directly controlled under fire by one man, and is the most important link in the chain of co-operation in battle. The training of the company exerts an influence on the efficiency of infantry on service which it is impossible to overrate; it is to be carried out by its own officers and non-commissioned officers, without undue interference on the part of their superiors.

The battalion commander is responsible that the company commanders are thoroughly instructed, and he supervises, but should not lay down, the methods which they employ to train their companies. The company commanders, assisted by their subalterns and non-commissioned officers, are directly responsible for the efficiency of the rank and file, and their advancement in the service will depend on their success.

3. Organisation of the Company.—A company is permanently divided into two half-companies, the right and left, each under a subaltern, when available. Each half-company is permanently divided into two sections, each under a non-commissioned officer. They will be numbered from one to four.

A section is permanently divided into two squads, each under a non-commissioned officer or selected private. They will be numbered from one to eight.

This organisation will be maintained both in barracks and in the field. The men will thus acquire the spirit of true comradeship, and learn to repose confidence in each other; while the non-commissioned officers will be accustomed to command, and to act when necessary on their own judgment. By such means the fighting value of the company will be fully developed; and its proper direction and command under hostile fire, when superior control becomes impossible, be maintained.

4. Duty of Officer Commanding a Battalion.—It is the duty of the commanding officer to see that all ranks are thoroughly trained in field duties, that co-operation in action is ensured, and that the self-reliance and good-will of officers and non-commissioned officers is so carefully cultivated as to render them zealous and intelligent assistants, in peace as well as on service, and not mere passive executants of definite orders. This can only be accomplished by giving the company commanders a free hand, and ample opportunities of exercising their men. In other words the battalion commander does not lead in the field one unit. His duty is to direct and supervise the action of eight independent tactical units.

5. Object of Company Drill.—The object of company drill is:—First, to enable the company, when it takes its place in the battalion, to carry out any movement or formation the commanding officer may prescribe, whether laid down in this manual, or improvised to meet the circumstances of the moment, without hesitation or confusion. Second, to render the company capable of independent action when detached from the battalion.