Captain Hodges: “A non-commissioned officer and three men. This number furnishes a commander for the post and three reliefs for a single sentinel post.”
The Director: “That is correct. Are there any questions on the points that we have been discussing?”[[13]]
Solution
The Director: “We are now ready to issue Lieutenant M’s order for the establishment of support No. 1. Captain Hodges, please tell us the first and second paragraphs of the order.”
Captain Hodges: “I would tell the men about where the enemy is and all I know about our own troops and then tell them what we are going to do.”
The Director: “All right. Now, assume that you are Lieutenant M, and the rest of us here are the members of your platoon. Put all you have said in the form of an order to us.”
Captain Hodges: “You want me to do everything I would do if I were Lieutenant M?”
The Director: “Exactly.”
Captain Hodges: “I would give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION, and order CLOSE UP. I assume that the men are in columns of files, one on each side of the road. I then give the command AT EASE, and caution the men, ‘Let me have your attention.’ I direct, ‘Noncommissioned officers assemble here.’ I then give the order for the establishment of the support as follows:
“‘Small detachments of the enemy have been reported at (h) and (i). Our 3rd Battalion is halted for the night at (k). Our regiment (less the 2nd and 3rd Battalions) is halted for the night at (l). Our Battalion halts for the night at (m). Our company furnishes the outpost with the second platoon (less one section) as support No. 2 at —— and the remainder of the company as reserve at —— March conditions have ceased.