173.  For the instruction of platoon leaders and guides, the company, when small, may be formed in single rank.  In this formation close order movements only are executed.  The single rank executes all movements as explained for the front rank of a company.

TO DISMISS THE COMPANY.

174.  Being in line at a halt, the captain directs the first sergeant:  DISMISS THE COMPANY.  The officers fallout; the first sergeant places himself faced to the front, 3 paces to the front and 2 paces from the nearest flank of the company, salutes, faces toward opposite flank of the company, and commands:  1. Inspection. 2.  ARMS, 3. Port, 4.  ARMS, 5.  DISMISSED.

ALIGNMENTS.

175.  The alignments are executed as prescribed in the School of the Squad, the guide being established instead of the flank file.  The rear-rank man of the flank file keeps his head and eyes to the front and covers his file leader.

At each alignment the captain places himself in prolongation of the line, 2 paces from and facing the flank toward which the dress is made, verifies the alignment, and commands:  FRONT.

Platoon lenders take a like position when requited to verify alignments.

MOVEMENTS ON THE FIXED PIVOT.

176.  Being in line, to tune the company:  1. Companyright_ (left), 2.  MARCH, 3. Company, 4.  HALT; or, 3. Forward, 4.  MARCH.

At the second command the right-flank man in the front rank faces to the right in marching and marks time; the other front-rank men oblique to the right, place themselves abreast of the pivot, and mark time; in the rear rank the third man from the right, followed in column by the second and first, moves straight to the front until in rear of his front-rank man, when all face to the right in marching and mark time; the remaining men of the rear rank move straight to the front 4 paces, oblique to the right, place themselves abreast of the third man, cover their file leaders, and mark time; the right guide steps back, takes post on the flank, and marks time.

The fourth command is given when the last man is 1 pace in rear of the new line.

The command HALT may be given at any time after the movement begins; only those halt who are in the new position.  Each of the others halt upon arriving on the line, aligns himself to the right, and executes FRONT without command.

177.  Being in line, to form column of platoons, or the reverse:  1. Platoonsright_(left)_, 2.  MARCH, 3. Company, 4.  HALT; or, 3. Forward, 4.  MARCH.

Executed by each platoon as described for the company.

Before forming line the captain sees that the guides on the flank toward which the movement is to be executed are covering.  This is effected by previously announcing the guide to that flank.