Back Step

=115.= Being at a halt or mark time: =1. Backward, 2. MARCH.=

Take steps of 15 inches straight to the rear.

The back step is used for short distances only and is not executed in double time.

If at order arms, the back step is executed at trail without command.

(69)

To Halt

=116.= To arrest the march in quick or double time: =1. Squad, 2.

HALT.=

At the command =halt=, given as either foot strikes the ground, plant the other foot as in marching; raise and place the first foot by the side of the other. If in double time, drop the hands by the sides.

(70)

To March by the Flank

=117.= Being in march: =1. By the right (left) flank, 2. MARCH.=

At the command =march=, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; then face to the right in marching and step off in the new direction with the right foot. (71)

To March to the Rear

=118.= Being in march: =1. To the rear, 2. MARCH.=

At the command =march= given as the right foot strikes the ground advance and plant the left foot; turn to the right about on the b.a.l.l.s of both feet and immediately step off with the left foot.

If marching in double time, turn to the right about, taking four steps in place, keeping the cadence, and then step off with the left foot.

(72)

Change Step

=119.= Being in march: =1. Change step, 2. MARCH.=

At the command =march=, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; plant the toe of the right foot near the heel of the left and step off with the left foot.

The change on the right foot is similarly executed, the command march being given as the left foot strikes the ground. (73)

MANUAL OF ARMS

=120. Instruction of recruit in use of rifle, manual of arms, etc.= As soon as practicable the recruit is taught the use, nomenclature, and care of his rifle. (See "The Care, Description, and Management of the Rifle," Chapter XIV, Part II.); when fair progress has been made in the instruction without arms, he is taught the manual of arms; instruction without arms and that with arms alternate. (74)

=121. Rules governing carrying of piece.= The following rules governing the carrying of the piece:

First. =Piece habitually carried without cartridges in chamber or magazine.= The piece is not carried with cartridges in either the chamber or the magazine except when specifically ordered. When so loaded, or supposed to be loaded, it is habitually carried locked; that is, with the =safety lock= turned to the "safe." At all other times it is carried unlocked, with the trigger pulled.

Second. =Inspection of pieces when troops are formed and when dismissed.= Whenever troops are formed under arms, pieces are immediately inspected at the commands: =1. Inspection, 2. ARMS, 3.

Order (Right shoulder port), 4. ARMS=, which are executed as explained in pars. 145-146.

A similar inspection is made immediately before dismissal.

If cartridges are found in the chamber or magazine they are removed and placed in the belt.

Third. =Cut-off habitually turned "off."= The cut-off is kept turned "off" except when cartridges are actually used.

Fourth. =Bayonet habitually not carried fixed.= The bayonet is not fixed (See par. 142), except in bayonet exercise, on guard, or for combat.

Fifth. ="Fall in" executed at order; "attention" resumed at order.= Fall in is executed with the piece at the order arms. =Fall out=, =rest=, and =at ease= are executed as without arms, as explained in par. 100. On resuming =attention= the position of order arms is taken.

Sixth. =If at order, pieces brought to right shoulder at command "march"; execution of movements at trail; piece brought to trail in certain movements executed from order.= If at the order, unless otherwise prescribed, the piece is brought to the right shoulder at the command march, the three motions corresponding with the first three steps. Movements may be executed at the trail by prefacing the preparatory command with the words =at trail=; as, =1. At trail, forward, 2. MARCH=; the trail is taken at the command =march=.

When the facings, alignments, open and close ranks, taking interval or distance, and a.s.semblings are executed from the order, raise the piece to the trail while in motion and resume the order on halting.

Seventh. =Piece brought to order on halting.= The piece is brought to the order on halting. The execution of the order begins when the halt is completed.

Eighth. =Holding disengaged hand in double time.= A disengaged hand in double time is held as when without arms. (75)

=122. Rules governing manual of arms.= The following rules govern the execution of the manual of arms:

First. =Position of left hand at balance.= In all positions of the left hand at the balance (center of gravity, bayonet unfixed) the thumb clasps the piece; the sling is included in the grasp of the hand.

Second. =Positions of piece "diagonally across the body."= In all positions of the piece "diagonally across the body" the position of the piece, left arm and hand are the same as in port arms. (See par.

125.)

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Third. =Next to last motion in resuming order from any position; piece to strike ground gently.= In resuming the order from any position in the manual, the motion next to the last concludes with the b.u.t.t of the piece about 3 inches from the ground, barrel to the rear, the left hand above and near the right, steadying the piece, fingers extended and joined, forearm and wrist straight and inclining downward, all fingers of the right hand grasping the piece. To complete the order, lower the piece gently to the ground with the right hand, drop the left quickly by the side, and take the position of order arms.

Allowing the piece to drop through the right hand to the ground, or other similar abuse of the rifle to produce effect in executing the manual is prohibited.

Fourth. =Cadence of motions; at first attention to be paid to details of motion.= The cadence of the motions is that of quick time; the recruits are first required to give their whole attention to the details of the motions, the cadence being gradually acquired as they become accustomed to handling their pieces. The instructor may require them to count aloud in cadence with the motions.

Fifth. =Execution of manual "by the numbers."= The manual is taught at a halt and the movements are for the purpose of instruction, divided into motions and executed in detail; in this case the command of =execution= determines the prompt execution of the first motion, and the commands, =two, three, four=, that of the other motions.

To execute the movements in detail, the instructor first cautions: =By the numbers=; all movements divided into motions are then executed as above explained until he cautions: =Without the numbers=; or commands movements other than those in the manual of arms.

Sixth. =Regular positions a.s.sumed without regard to previous positions; carrying rifle in any position.= Whenever circ.u.mstances require, the regular positions of the manual of arms and the firings may be ordered without regard to the previous position of the piece.

Under the exceptional conditions of weather or fatigue the rifle may be carried in any manner directed. (76)