Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army / of the United States 1917. To be also used by Engineer Companies (Mounted) for Cavalry Instruction and Training

by United States. War Department

258. The troopers being mounted and fully armed and in line: 1. Prepare for inspection, 2. MARCH, 3. FRONT.

At the second command all align themselves on the guide: The inspector, having verified the alignment, takes position 3 yards to the right and front of the right trooper, facing to the left, and commands: FRONT, followed by: 1. Draw, 2. SABER (par. 165).

259. If it is not intended to inspect the pistols mounted, the inspector cautions PISTOLS WILL NOT BE INSPECTED MOUNTED, and approaches the right of the rank.

260. As the inspector approaches, the first two troopers execute the first motion of inspection saber (par. 170), the first trooper, as the inspector comes in front of him, executes the second and third motions of inspection saber; the second trooper, as the inspector comes in front of him, executes the second and third motions of inspection saber, the first trooper at this instant resuming the carry and the third trooper executing the first motion of inspection saber. The first trooper then returns saber. As the inspector comes in front of the other troopers the movements are executed successively as just explained.

261. The inspector, having completed the inspection of sabers, passes in rear from the left to the right of the rank. As he approaches the right of the rank the first two troopers (in the absence of indication to the contrary) (par. 259) execute inspection pistol (par. 148). Each of the other troopers, in order from right to left, successively executes inspection pistol in time to complete the execution just before the inspector arrives in front of him. Each trooper executes return pistol as the inspector passes to the trooper next on his left.

262. To inspect the rifles, to inspect the pistols dismounted, or to inspect the dress and equipment of the squad more minutely, the inspector dismounts the squad without forming rank.

Troopers when dismounted following the command prepare for inspection take a special position; and a special exception is made in this case to the rule requiring the rifle (if not slung) to be taken from the scabbard upon dismounting (par. 255). Upon dismounting while at prepare for inspection each trooper takes the snaffle reins off the horse's neck, passes the right arm through the reins (the bight of the reins resting on the shoulder) and takes a position similar to stand to horse. The rifle is not unslung (or removed from the scabbard) unless it has been specially designated for inspection; it is then reslung or returned to the scabbard as soon as its inspection is completed.

A trooper dismounted at prepare for inspection, if his right hand be free, grasps the reins as in stand to horse. The snaffle reins once taken from the neck as above are not replaced until the first command for mounting.

The above position is habitually terminated by the first command for mounting or by stand to horse.

263. If the inspector wishes to inspect the arms after dismounting, he cautions, immediately following the commands for dismounting: RIFLES AND PISTOLS (or RIFLES, or PISTOLS) WILL BE INSPECTED.