Instructors must persist in the development of this position until the men assume it from habit.
At the command, 1. Company (Squad, etc.), 2. Attention, the following position is assumed:
1. Heels Together And On A Line.—If the heels are not on a line, the hips and sometimes even the shoulders, are thrown out of line.
2. Feet Turned Out Equally, Forming An Angle Of 45 Degrees.—If the feet are not turned out equally, the result will be the same as above.
3. Knees Extended Without Stiffness.—Muscles should be contracted just enough to keep the knees straight. If locked, men tire easily and faint if at attention a long time.
4. The Trunk Erect Upon The Hips, the spine extended throughout its entire length; the buttocks well forward.
The position of the trunk, spine and buttocks is most essential. In extending the spine the men must feel that the trunk is being stretched up from the waist until the back is as straight as it can be made.
In stretching the spine the chest should be arched and raised, without, however, raising the shoulders or interfering with natural respiration.
5. Shoulders Falling Naturally and moved back until they are square.
Being square, means having the shoulder ridge and the point of the shoulder at right angles to a general anterior-posterior plane running through the body. They should never be forced back of this plane, but out rather in line with it.