SECTION 7: TRAINING
701. GENERAL
a. In addition to introducing the student to the offensive and defensive movements of bayonet fighting, the initial stages of training should emphasize the development of speed, form, balance, timing, coordination, and a vicious, aggressive attitude, all important in bayonet fighting. The instructor works to develop a genuine determination in his students; i.e., to gain the initiative from the beginning and move in to kill the opponent. Each student yells and growls as he executes his practice moves to get into the proper habit. This gives the student the self-confidence and enthusiasm he needs. The instructor tries to make the yell spontaneous, if possible, but if students fail to perform properly, they are encouraged until they do so.
b. Future training rekindles the spirit of aggressiveness. Variety is employed in training to avoid boredom and useless repetition. The use of training aids such as the pugil stick and bayonet assault course provide this variety, and are also extremely valuable as training vehicles. Bayonet training should be as vigorous as possible in order to contribute to the physical condition of the student. It should be emphasized that bayonet fighting is not for the soft and paunchy.
702. DEMONSTRATION AND APPLICATION OF THE BASIC FUNDAMENTALS
a. The recommended sequence for demonstration and application of the basic fundamentals of bayonet fighting is as follows:
(1) Guard position and footwork.
(2) Attack movements.
(3) Defensive movements.
(4) Combined movements.