=827.= This is the position an unarmed dismounted soldier a.s.sumes when in ranks. During the setting-up exercises, it is a.s.sumed whenever the command attention is given by the instructor.

Having allowed his men to rest, the instructor commands: =1. Squad, 2.

ATTENTION.= Figs. A and B.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. A]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. B]

The words =cla.s.s=, =section=, or =company= may be subst.i.tuted for the word "squad."

At the command =attention=, the men will quickly a.s.sume and retain the following position:

Heels on same line and as near each other as the conformation of the man permits.

Feet turned out equally and forming an angle of about 45 degrees.

Knees straight without stiffness.

The body erect on the hips, the spine extended throughout its entire length.

The shoulders falling naturally, are forced back until they are square.

Chest arched and slightly raised.

The arms hang naturally; thumbs along seams of trousers; back of hands out and elbows turned back.

Head erect, chin drawn in so that the axis of the head and neck is vertical; eyes straight to the front and, when the nature of the terrain permits it, fixed on an object at their own height.

Too much attention can not be given to this position, and instructors are cautioned to insist that the men accustom themselves to it. As a rule, it is so exaggerated that it not only becomes ridiculous, but positively harmful. The men must be taught to a.s.sume a natural and graceful position, one from which all rigidity is eliminated and from which action is possible without first relaxing muscles that have been constrained in an effort to maintain the position of attention. In other words, coordination rather than strength should be depended upon.

In the position described the weight rests princ.i.p.ally upon the b.a.l.l.s of the feet, the heels resting lightly upon the ground.

The knees are extended easily, but never locked.

The body is now inclined forward until the front of the thighs is directly over the point of the toes; the hips are square and the waist is extended by the erection of the entire spine, but never to such a degree that mobility of the waist is lost.

In extending the spine, the chest is naturally arched and the abdomen is drawn in, but never to the extent where it interferes with respiration.

In extending the spinal column, the shoulders must not be raised, but held loosely in normal position and forced back until the points of the shoulders are at right angles with an anterior-posterior plane running through the shoulders.

The chin should be square; i. e., horizontal and forced back enough to bring the neck in a vertical plane; the eyes fixed to the front and the object on which they are fixed must be at their own height whenever the nature of the terrain permits it.

When properly a.s.sumed, a vertical line drawn from the top of the head should pa.s.s in front of the ear, just in front of the shoulder and of the thigh, and find its base at the b.a.l.l.s of the feet.

All muscles should be contracted only enough to maintain this position, which at all times should be a lithesome one, that can be maintained for a long period without fatigue--one that makes for activity and that is based upon a correct anatomical and physiological basis.

Instructors will correct the position of attention of every man individually and they will ascertain, when the position has been properly a.s.sumed, whether the men are "on their toes," i. e., carrying the weight on the b.a.l.l.s of the feet, whether they are able to respire properly, and whether they find a strain across the small of the back, which should be as flat as possible. This should be repeated until the men are able to a.s.sume the position correctly without restraint or rigidity.

At the command =rest= or =at ease= the men, while carrying out the provisions of the drill regulations, should be cautioned to avoid a.s.suming any position that has a tendency to nullify the object of the position of attention; standing on leg for instance; allowing the shoulders to slope forward; drooping the head; folding arms across chest, etc. The weight should always be distributed equally upon both legs; the head, trunk, and shoulders remain erect and the arms held in a position that does not restrict the chest or derange the shoulders.

The positions ill.u.s.trated here have been found most efficacious. Figs.

C. and D.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. C]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. D]

FORMATIONS

=828.= The men form in a single or double rank, the tallest men on the right.

The instructor commands: =1. Count off.=

At this command, all except the right file execute "=eyes right=" and, beginning on the right, the men in each rank count 1, 2, 3, 4; each man turns his head and eyes to the front as he counts.

The instructor then commands: =1. Take distance, 2. MARCH, 3. Squad, 4. HALT.=

At the command =march=, No. 1 of the front rank moves straight to the front; Nos. 2, 3, and 4 of the front and Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the rear rank in the order named move straight to the front, each stepping off, so as to follow the preceding man at four paces; the command halt is given when all have their distances.

If it is desired that a less distance than four paces be taken, the distance desired should be indicated in the preparatory command. The men of the squad may be caused to cover No. 1 front rank by command cover.

The instructor then commands: =1. Right (left), 2. FACE, 3. COVER.=

At these commands the men face in the direction indicated and cover in file.

To a.s.semble the squad the instructor commands: =1. Right (left), 2.

FACE, 3. a.s.semble, 4. MARCH.=

After facing and at command march, No. 1 of the front rank stands fast, the other members of both ranks resuming their original positions, or for convenience in the gymnasium they may be a.s.sembled to the rear, in which case the a.s.semblage is made on No. 4 of the rear rank.

Unless otherwise indicated, the guide is =always right=.

SPECIAL TRAINING

=829.= In addition to the regular squad or cla.s.s work instructors should, when they notice a physical defect in any man, recommend some exercise which will tend to correct it.

The most common physical defects and corresponding corrective exercises are noted here.

DROOPING HEAD

=830.= Exercise the muscles of the neck by bending, turning, and circling the head, muscles tense.

ROUND AND STOOPED SHOULDERS

=831.= Stretch arms sideward from front horizontal, turning palms upward, muscles tense.