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

354. The squad being in line, at stand to horse, the habitual commands for mounting are: 1. Prepare to mount, 2. MOUNT; 3. Form, 4. RANK. At the first command the odd numbers lead out 4 yards directly to the front, and all execute the movements and take the final positions prescribed in par. 191a-a. At the second command all the troopers complete, simultaneously, the movements of mounting as prescribed in par. 191b-b. At the fourth command the even numbers move up into their intervals in the line. If the squad has dismounted from line and has formed rank (par. 356), the odd numbers stand fast at the command Prepare to mount and all mount in place.

If the squad be mounted in column of fours; the third and fourth commands are omitted. At the first command the troopers of each four open out fanwise, Nos. 1 and 2 to the right, Nos. 3 and 4 to the left. Nos. 1 and 4 open out a little more than Nos. 2 and 3, all opening only enough to permit the troopers to mount without interfering with each other. The troopers habitually straighten their horses in the column as soon as they have mounted, but this requirement may be relaxed whenever mounting in unison is not required (par. 358). The squad in column of twos is mounted by commands and methods conforming to those used for mounting from column of fours.

355. The preparatory oral command for mounting may be omitted. The squad then executes at the command MOUNT all the movements prescribed in par. 354 for the commands, 1. Prepare to mount, 2. MOUNT. The troopers mount promptly, but not in unison.

The preparatory signal for mounting, when followed immediately by the signal of execution, will be understood as equivalent to the oral command MOUNT, and will be executed accordingly.

356. The squad being in line, the habitual commands for dismounting are: 1. Prepare to dismount, 2. DISMOUNT; 3. Form, 4. RANK. At the first command the odd numbers ride 4 yards directly to the front, regulating on the right, and all the troopers execute the movements and take the final position prescribed in par. 192a-a. At the second command the troopers execute, simultaneously, the movements prescribed in par. 192b-b. At the fourth command the even numbers lead into their intervals in the rank. The third and fourth commands are given only in case it is desired to form rank. The squad may be dismounted and, without forming rank, execute rest or at ease (par. 359), or be inspected, mounted, or dismissed. The modifications indicated for dismounting in column of fours and column of twos correspond to those prescribed in par. 354 for mounting from the corresponding formation, except that the horses are not habitually straightened in the column after dismounting unless the dismounted squad moves forward (the troopers leading their horses).

357. The preparatory oral command for dismounting, may be omitted. The squad then executes at the command DISMOUNT all the movements prescribed in par. 356 for the commands: 1. Prepare to dismount, 2. DISMOUNT. The troopers dismount promptly but not in unison.

The preparatory signal for dismounting, when followed immediately by the signal of execution, will be understood as equivalent to the oral command DISMOUNT, and will be executed accordingly.

358. Until the individual instruction of recruits has advanced to a point where they have acquired reasonable proficiency in mounting and dismounting, these movements will be executed at collective as well as at individual instruction by the commands and methods indicated in pars. 355 and 357. After such proficiency has been acquired, mounting and dismounting at close-order drills, at ceremonies, and at all occasions of a ceremonial nature will habitually be executed in unison by the commands and methods prescribed in pars. 354 and 356, respectively. The commands and methods prescribed in pars. 355 and 357, respectively, may, in the discretion of the commander, continue to be employed on all other duty.

THE RESTS AND ROUTE ORDER.

359. The mounted squad executes the rests and route order as prescribed in par. 221. After dismounting from line, rest or at ease may be given either before or after forming rank.