“‘Signals to me.
“‘MOVE OUT.’”
The Director: “Are there any comments on the order as given by Lieutenant Hunt?”
Lieutenant Williams: “It seems to me that it would be well to follow the Lieutenant’s order and tell the men how long we are going to stay out.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Hunt will you please answer that comment?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I do not calculate that it makes any difference to the men of the squad. They should be told what they are going out for so that they may know the purpose of the patrol. But as for their having any information as to how long they are to stay out, I do not think it has a place in the order. That part of the order was only for Sergeant Wilkins.”
The Director: “I think you are right. The Lieutenant made a mental calculation of the time that it would take the main body to pass the danger point and specified that 35 minutes as the time the patrol should stay out. I do not think that is any concern of the men. Sergeant Wilkins might well tell it to Corporal Jenkins so if anything should happen to him he would know the orders. Any further comment?”
Lieutenant Williams: “Does the Director think that it would be proper to halt the squad to give them the orders?”
The Director: “Yes, I think that was the proper procedure. It is highly important that every man of the squad know what they are going out for. Time is not a specially important factor just now. Then, too, the squad must be gotten into patrol formation. I think time is saved by taking a minute or two to issue the orders and make sure that every man understands the mission. The men can then go about the work so much more intelligently.”
Flank Guard Card No. 3