346. When instruction in leading (par. 367) has advanced to the point where the guide can preserve his proper distance from the leader and conform promptly and smoothly to the latter's movements, the other troopers meantime preserving their interval and alignment without undue constraint or unnecessarily abrupt changes of gait or pace, the instruction is extended progressively to include, in accordance with the methods prescribed in par. 347, the execution of the movements prescribed for the squad.
347. Throughout the instruction prescribed by par. 346 the squad will continue as before to be led. In teaching each new movement the example and movements of the instructor as leader will be supplemented at first by oral commands only, then by oral commands accompanied by the corresponding arm signals for those movements for which such signals are provided (see Signals, pars. 988-996), then by signals alone. The commands and signals will be given by the actual leader. When the instructor is not actually leading (par. 345) he may either indicate to the leader the movements to be executed or else leave to him the selection of such movements.
348. After the oral commands and arm signals are thoroughly understood the instructor will practice the squad in passing from one formation to another, using oral commands for some movements, signals for some, and causing some (e.g., changes of direction) to be executed by conforming to the movements of the leader without the additional indication of either oral commands or signals.
349. The troopers must be accustomed to conforming, without the assistance of any command or signal given to the squad as a whole, to simple movements (e.g., movements front into line) initiated at the head of a column formation by a command so given as to be heard by only the leading troopers.
With reasonable practice the more essential changes of formation that are executed toward the direction of march can readily be taken by the squad by conforming, without other indication, to the movements of the troopers nearest the leader. As many movements in service must be executed under conditions of noise, dust, etc., that will render it difficult for the commands or signals of the leader to be understood except by those near him, practice, in conforming promptly and intelligently to the movements of the elements nearest the leader is important and must be given careful attention.
The object ultimately to be sought in the instruction is the quiet, rapid, and effective handling of the squad with a minimum of either oral commands or signals. The squad is required to pass rapidly from one formation to another, a new movement being occasionally initiated before the execution of the one preceding it has been completed.
350. To form the squad in line (par. 368-a), the leader (instructor) designates a trooper to act as the base of the formation, indicates to such trooper the point where the right of the squad is to rest and the direction in which the line is to face, takes position at a convenient distance in front of and facing the point where the center of the squad is to rest, and commands: LEAD INTO LINE. The base trooper leads out (par. 188) and takes position as indicated; the other troopers lead out so as to approach the line successively directly from the rear and in single rank form on the line established by the base trooper, in order from right to left. The troopers form at stand to horse (par. 187) with intervals of 18 inches between horses.
The line having thus formed, the leader calls the roll and commands, COUNT FOURS (par. 84).
Where there is an incomplete four the troopers in it are cautioned as to the numbers finally assigned them (par. 368b-b).