The Director: “All right. You have told us all about what you will do. Now let us do it. Assume that I am the outguard commander. Now just what will you say to me?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “I will say:
“‘Information has been received that there is a Red force in the vicinity of (h). (Indicating on the map.) We are going out as a reconnoitering patrol, guiding on the ... road. (Indicating on the map.) We are to determine the enemy’s strength, and composition and what he is doing. I have four other men with me.
“‘We will probably be out until after dark and I want to arrange a recognition signal with you. If agreeable to you it will be the call 3—4 or the same tapped on the rifle stock.
“‘Have you any information about the enemy?’
“After doing all of this I will signal the patrol FORWARD MARCH and proceed on my way.”
The Director: “That is very good. I wish you would explain to the class just how you propose to employ the recognition signal.”
Lieutenant Ralston: “In this case we agreed on the signal 3—4. When any of us approach the sentinel post of the outguard after dark we will use the recognition signal. If there is no danger of enemy patrols lurking in the vicinity the man approaching the post calls out 3—4; the sentinel on post answers the call by calling 3—4 and they both know that everything is all right and it is safe for the scout to proceed. If there is danger of enemy patrols discovering the signal should it be called out, the man coming in would approach the sentinel post cautiously. He would tap 3—4 on the stock of his rifle until it is recognized by the sentinel and the signal returned by the latter tapping 3—4 on the stock of his rifle.” (The method should be illustrated.)
The Director: “Captain Harvey, why do we go to all this trouble?”
Captain Harvey: “A sentinel on post, after he has been harassed by enemy scouts for a while, takes no chances. He generally shoots first and then challenges. The recognition signal is simply an expedient to lessen the chances of accident.”