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

876. Guard mounting, dismounted, and relieving the old guard are conducted on the same principles as when mounted, with the following modifications:

(a) The men designated for guard fall in, dismounted, on their troop parade grounds; noncommissioned officers not commanding detail, 2 paces in rear of rank.

(b) The detail that is to be on the right is marched to the line so that upon halting the breast of the man on the right shall be near to and opposite the left arm of the sergeant major. At the command DRESS, the detail dresses up to the line of the sergeant major and its commander, the man on the right placing his breast against the left arm of the sergeant major.

(c) When the last detail has formed, the sergeant major takes a side step to the right, draws saber if armed with one, verifies the detail, takes post 2 paces to the right and 2 paces to the front of the guard, facing to the left and causes the guard to count fours.

(d) When the sergeant major has reported, the officer of the guard takes post 3 paces in front of the center of the guard, draws saber and orders saber, the guard being at order arms.

The inspection which corresponds to that of par. 882 being ended, and the officers of the day, the adjutant, and the commander of the guard having taken their posts, the commander of the guard draws saber with the adjutant and comes to the order.

The adjutant then commands: 1. Parade, 2. Rest, 3. SOUND OFF, and comes to the order and parade rest.

(e) After the band has sounded off, the adjutant, commander of the guard, and platoon leaders come to attention, and the adjutant commands: 1. Present, 2. ARMS, faces toward the officer of the day and reports: Sir, the guard is formed. The new officer of the day, after the adjutant has reported, returns the salute with the hand and directs the adjutant: March the guard in review, Sir. The adjutant carries saber, faces about, brings the guard to an order and commands: 1. At trail, platoons (or guard) right turn, 2. MARCH; 3. Guard, 4. HALT.

The guard marches in quick time past the officer of the day, according to the principles as when mounted.

While the band is sounding off and while the guard is marching in review, the officers of the day stand at parade rest with arms folded. They take this position when the adjutant comes to parade rest, resume the attention with him, again take the parade rest at the first note of the march in review, and resume attention as the head of the column approaches.