In rear rank, No. 3 with No. 4 abreast of him on his left and followed in column by the second and first moves straight forward until on prolongation of new line he is to occupy; faces to right in marching and proceeds to place. Then all face to the right in marching, mark time and glance toward marching flank. As last man arrives on new line all step off without command on 9th step.
Deploying as skirmishers and following the corporal are covered under Company Extended Order.
School of the Company.
The company is the basic fighting and administrative unit, and must be easily handled and capable of promptly carrying out the will of its commander.
Team work among the squads, so that the company can be easily managed as a whole, is the purpose of company drill.
Close order drill is for discipline.
Numerical designations of squads or platoons do not change.
Center squad is middle or right middle squad of the company.
| 8 (6–11) men | = | 1 squad. |
| 7 (2–7) squads | = | 1 platoon. |
| 4 platoons | = | 1 company. |
| 4 (2–6) companies | = | 1 battalion (1,026 officers and men). |
| 3 battalions | = | 1 regiment (3,755, including medical detachment). |
| 2 regiments | = | 1 brigade (8,210 officers and men). |
| 2 brigades | = | 1 division (27,152 officers and men). |
First Sergeant when not commanding a platoon is opposite the 3rd file from outer flank of first platoon, in line of file closers.
Fall In.—First Sergeant 6 paces front of center, facing company. Right guide takes post at such point that the center will be 6 paces from and opposite the First Sergeant.
Squad leaders salute and report all present; or Private(s)—— absent. First Sergeant does not return salute of squad leaders.
Captain takes post 12 paces in front of center of company in time to receive report of First Sergeant, "Sir, all present or accounted for," or names of unauthorized absentees. E.G. A man in hospital might be reported absent by squad leader if he did not know where he was, but First Sergeant would know, and would not report him absent.
Captain returns salute of First Sergeant who then takes his post without command.
Platoon Movements In Platoon Column.
| Leading Platoon, C.O. | |
| On Right into Line | Right Turn. |
| Column Right | Right Turn. |
| Right Front into Line | Continue. (Caution) If halted, Forward. |
| Rear Platoon, C.O. | |
| On Right into Line | Continue. (Caution) If halted, Forward. |
| Column Right | Continue. (Caution) If halted, Forward. |
| Right Front into Line | Right Oblique. |
Questions Which Come Up In Daily Military Life.
It is well to have a solution on hand.
(1) The company is in line reversed—16th squad where 1st squad should be. Bring the company into proper line, 1–2-3–4; 5–6-7–8; 9–10-11–12; 13–14-15–16.
(2) You are platoon leader. Your platoon is drilling separately and you get assembled in company line.
16–15-14–13; 12–11-10–9; 4–3-2–1; 5–6-7–8.
What commands do you give to get the platoon into line properly arranged?
(3) You are in charge of the company and find yourself marching into the company street in reverse order. What commands do you give to correct this?
(4) You are marching your company to the rear along a road through a narrow cut. Suddenly around a bend comes an ambulance. To let it pass, you must immediately reduce your marching front. What is the quickest method? (This can be used also in arranging the advance party of the outguard.)
(5) You are marching your company in company front, and wish to march in column of platoons. What do you command?
Answers.
1 Right (left) by squads. Column left (right). Squads right (left) Company, Halt.
2 Forward; 2 March. On left into line; 2 Platoon; 3 Halt.
3 On right (left) into line.
4 1 Squads right; 2 March. 2 By the left flank; 2 March.
5 1 Right by squads; 2 March. 2 Platoons left front into line; Double time; 2 March.
On the O.D. Shirt Collar Insignia is worn as follows:
"On the right side, in the middle of the collar, the letters (U.S.), (U.S.R.), (U.S.N.A.), and the insignia of rank; the letters one inch from the end of the collar and the insignia of rank one-half inch from letters."
"On the left side in the middle of the collar, and one inch from the end, the insignia of the arm of the service."
For Second Lieutenants.
On the right side, in the middle of the collar, and one inch from the end, the letters (U.S.), (U.S.R.), (U.S.N.A.).
On the left side, in the middle of the collar and one inch from the end, the insignia of the arm of service.
When the Star Spangled Banner is played, an officer in uniform if uncovered stands at Attention. If covered he salutes. An officer "Presents his compliments" only to his juniors.
1 Company Right, March; Company, Halt; Forward March.Being in line to turn. Right-flank man is pivot. Right guide steps back at command March, and marks time.
2 Platoons Right, March; Company, Halt; Forward March.Line to Column Platoons, reverse.Guides must be covering.
3 Squads Right, MARCH; Company, Halt.Line to Column Squads, reverse.Line of Platoon to Column Platoons, reverse.
4 Right Turn, March; Forward, March.Line to change direction. Right guide is pivot. Men do not glance toward flank. Rear rank begins oblique on same ground as front rank.All take full step at command, Forward, March.
5 Column Right, March.First Platoon Leader, Right Turn.Other Platoon Leaders (if halted), Forward; (if marching), cautions, continue the march. All Platoons execute right turn on same ground.Column of Platoons to change direction.
6 Column Right, March.Column Squads to change direction.
7 Platoons, Column Right, March.Column Squads to Line of Platoons.
8 Squads Right, Column Right, March.Right by Squads, March.Line to Column Squads and change direction.Right