The orders for the exercise movements may be standardized
by first giving the name of the movement, “Arms
Cross,” and then adding the words: “Ready—Cross!”
to indicate the second or executive part of the command.
For example: “Arms Cross. Ready—Cross!”
the men taking the “cross” position at
the last word. In this way the members of the
squad are first warned as to just what they are expected
to do; then, at the executive word, they all act together.
The leader should see to it that the over-eager men
do not anticipate the executive command.
The only purely military formation used in this manual
is that of the squad. Nowadays, when military
training is so universal, the meaning of the term
is well known; there is sure to be some one in the
company who can supply the necessary information about
forming the squad and the simple movement of “Squads
Right.” To put it into untechnical language,
it may be said that the squad consists of eight men,
lined up four abreast in two ranks. The men should
be arranged in order of height, the tallest being
No. 1, front rank. No. 4 of the front rank acts
as corporal of the squad.
[Illustration: Eyesright!]
“Squads Right” looks like a complicated
maneuver when studied according to the diagrams in
the manuals, but it is not particularly difficult in
practice. Its use is to get the company out of
the double line formation into a column of four men
abreast, the usual marching formation. At the
executive command, “March!” No. 1 front
rank acts as the pivot, and makes a right-angled turn
to the right, marking time in that position until
the three other men in the front rank have executed
a right-oblique movement and have come up on the new
line. The rear-rank men follow suit, but Nos.
2 and 1 have to turn momentarily to the left in order
to get behind the front-rank pivot men—to
put it more simply, they follow No. 2 in single file.
It sounds confusing, but any old National Guardsman
can explain the movement in very short order.
So soon as “Squads Right” has been completed
the whole column takes up the march without further
word of command.
STEPS AND MARCHINGS
All steps and marchings executed from a halt (except
Right or Left Step) begin with the left foot.
The length of the full step in “Quick (or ordinary)
time” is 30 inches, measured from heel to heel,
and the cadence is at the rate of 120 steps to the
minute.
The length of the full step in “Double Time”
is 36 inches; the cadence is at the rate of 180 steps
to the minute.
FORWARD—MARCH!
At the warning command, “Forward!” shift
the weight of the body to the right leg, left knee
straight. At the command, “March!”
move the left foot forward 30 inches from the right;
continue with the right and so on. The arms swing
freely.
