Formations.—When exercising in small squads, the men "fall in" in a single rank and, after having "counted off" by fours, threes or twos, as the instructor may direct, distance is taken at the command: Take distance, March, Squad Halt. At "March" No. 1 moves forward, being followed by the other numbers at intervals of four paces. Halt is commanded when all have taken their distances.
At the discretion of the instructor the distance may be any number of paces, the men being first cautioned to that effect.
When distance is taken from the double rank, No. 1 of the rear rank follows No. 4 of the front rank, and he is in turn followed by the other numbers of the rear rank.
If the instructor desires the files to cover, he commands: In file Cover. Nos. 1 stand fast, the others moving to the right with the side step, until the Nos. 1 are covered.
To return to the original formation, the instructor commands: Assemble March. No. 1 of the front rank stands fast and the other members move forward to their original places.
Second Formation. To the right and left. Take interval, March.
| Front Rank: | Rear Rank: |
| No. 1, 6 steps right step. | No. 1, 3 steps right step. |
| No. 2, 3 steps right step. | No. 2, Stands fast. |
| No. 3, Stands fast. | No. 3, 3 steps left step. |
| No. 4, 3 steps left step. | No. 4, 6 steps left step. |
Commands.
Kinds Of Commands, And How Given.—There are two kinds, preparatory and executive.
The preparatory command describes and specifies what is desired and the executive command calls what has been described into action.