On arriving at a selected point the class will be halted.
The Director: “Captain James, we are now in the area over which the 2nd platoon is advancing to the front. Lieutenant Y, the platoon commander, is at this point. What do you estimate to be the approach march formation of the platoon?”
Captain James: “I will first locate the platoon commander and then designate the location of the elements of the platoon with reference to him. I think that the platoon commander would be marching at this time about midway between the assault and the support waves. The 1st Section would be marching in a line of squad columns with the right (left) squad near the directing line which is right there (indicating). It is the base section and the squad nearest the directing line is the base squad. The head of the squad columns is about 25 yards in advance of the platoon commander.
“The 2nd platoon is following the platoon commander at a distance of about 25 yards in a line of squad columns.”
Lieutenant Baker: “It seems to me that the platoon commander would be out in front of his platoon at this time.”
The Director: “The platoon commander is free to go wherever he pleases. But you must remember he has two section leaders—one for each section of the platoon. These men are supposed to be competent to do their job. The platoon commander should march where he can best direct the operations of his platoon through his section leaders. In this case I think Captain James has located the platoon leader in the proper place.
“Now having definitely fixed in our minds the location of the elements of the platoon let us proceed with the next situation.”
The Problem
Situation No. 3:
You., Lieutenant Y., commanding the 2nd platoon have arrived at this point (indicate).