The Director: “Are there any questions?”
Lieutenant Williams: “Yes, sir. I would like to ask why Captain Harvey places the automatic rifleman so far back in the formation?”
The Director: “Captain Harvey, will you please explain your reasons?”
Captain Harvey: “If the point encounters the enemy, we would want to conduct a little reconnaissance before committing the automatic rifleman to action. If he is any farther to the front, he is most likely to get involved early in the encounter and perhaps in a position hastily chosen, where his weapon could not produce his maximum effect. The automatic rifle has the fire power of several rifles, and we want to take advantage of this fact. We must therefore get the weapon into the position where it can be done, and this cannot usually be determined with the first few shots of an advance guard meeting engagement.”
The Director: “Those are very good reasons—ones which I believe all the members of this class will remember when it comes to training their own non-commissioned officers. Are there any other questions?”
Lieutenant Williams: “Why did Captain Harvey omit to designate a second in command?”
The Director: “The succession in military command is determined by seniority. Corporal Smith is the next senior and will automatically assume command. If there were no non-commissioned officer with the squad, Sergeant Roberts would have designated one of the privates as second in command. Any other questions? (Pause.) There appear to be none. I wish you would ask questions to bring out points that are not fully understood. It is by a discussion of these points that we arrive at a reasonable solution of these problems. Now, a few remarks before we pass on to the next situation.”
Explanation
The Director: “When you come to the training of your own men you cannot be too particular about insisting upon their learning the form of tactical orders and the language to be used in expressing their contents. It takes long practice to be able to do this without getting confused and omitting essentials.
“When a non-commissioned officer takes charge of a detachment for any tactical duty and gives his instructions in a clear and concise manner, leaving nothing to be guessed at, he inspires the confidence of his men. They realize immediately that there is someone at the helm who knows his business and they cheerfully respond. Noncommissioned officers should be practiced in stating the instructions that they would have to give under the various tactical situations that they may be called upon to handle. There is no surer way to gain that confidence so necessary to military efficiency.[[6]]