Duties:

(6, 42, 104, 229, 231-233, 244, 245-257, 319, 375, 550, i.d.r.)

Controls the fire of his platoon and in his fire orders.

  1. Receives his orders from the company commander.
  2. If necessary, may indicate the fire position that has been ordered.
  3. Announces sight setting.
  4. Points out designated target to his platoon, if practicable, otherwise to his corporals only, or
  5. When the target cannot be seen, indicates an aiming target. (247 and 251, i.d.r., call this an aiming "point", but the occasions upon which infantry would use an aiming "point" are so rare that it is believed aiming "target" is a more accurate term as it includes both point and line.)
  6. Assigns target so as to insure that the entire front or sector given him by the company commander will be covered with fire.
  7. Gives class of fire.
  8. Announces rate of fire.
  9. If commanding a flank platoon, details a man to watch for signals from the combat patrols.
  10. When his Corporals have signaled that their squads are ready to fire, signals the Captain by looking toward him and holding up his hand.
  11. When Captain signals a "commence firing", repeats same to the corporals.

Thereafter:

  1. Observes for fire effect.
  2. When platoon is not firing, insures that the front assigned is kept under constant observation for any appearance of the enemy or any change of position.
  3. Changes sight-setting of his platoon when necessary.
  4. Regulates rate of fire.
  5. Increases rate of fire when large and distinct targets appear and decreases it when the target becomes small and indistinct.
  6. Prevents decrease in rate of fire when—
    1. Changing sight-setting,
    2. Preparing for rushes,
    3. Fixing bayonets,
    4. Transmitting firing data to supports,
    5. Distributing ammunition.
  7. Increases the rate of fire to cover the advance of adjacent units. For this purpose progress and movements of adjoining units are kept under observation.
  8. Maintains direction of advance of his platoon in rushing, so as not to blanket fire of adjacent units.
  9. Is on the alert for Captain's commands or signals, for this purpose he may use his platoon guide.
  10. May use his platoon guide to observe adjoining units.
  11. Must understand all signals.
  12. Leads his platoon in advancing and charging.
  13. Prevents changing fire to unauthorized targets.
  14. Insures distribution of ammunition brought up from the rear and the collection and distribution of same from the dead and wounded. (540, i.d.r.).
  15. In coming up with re-enforcements, he takes over the duties of disabled platoon leaders of the platoon into which his men have dropped, or it may be some other section of the line needs his service in which case he goes there.
  16. Endeavors to preserve the integrity of squads, designates new squad leaders to replace those disabled, organizes new squads when necessary, sees that every man is placed in a squad and takes every opportunity for restoring order in the firing line. (104, 375, i.d.r.)
  17. In "Advance by thin lines", leads odd numbered lines. (218, i.d.r.).

VIII. The First Sergeant.

Commands a Platoon, Never a Guide.

Guides.

General Rules: