To FORM THE COMPANY.—­At the sounding of the assembly the first sergeant takes position 6 paces in front of where the center of the company is to be, faces it, draws saber, and commands “Fall in”.

The right guide of the company places himself, facing to the front, where the right of the company is to rest, and at such point that the center of the company will be 6 paces from and opposite the first sergeant; the squads form in their proper places on the left of the right guide, superintended by the other sergeants, who then take their posts.

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 the company.

ALIGNMENTS.—­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 leaders take a like position when required to verify the alignments.

In “Company right” the right guide steps back on the command “March”, aligning the first two men next to him as he does so, to establish the correct line.

In “Platoon right” the Captain announces the guide and the guides cover promptly.

In “Right turn” the right guide is the pivot of the front rank.

In “Column right” the right flank man of the leading squad is the pivot, not the guide.

In “Right by squads” the right guide (when he has posted himself in front of the right squad) takes four short steps and then resumes the full step.  The right squad conforms.

“Squads right about.”  If the company or platoons are in column of squads, file closers turn about toward the column and take posts.  If in line, each darts through the nearest interval between squads.  The right and left guides place themselves in the new front rank.  File closers on facing about, maintain their relative positions.

When the company executes “About face”, guides place themselves in the new front rank.

In “Right front into line, double time” halting and aligning commands are omitted.  Guide is toward side of the first unit.

In “Take interval” or “Take distance” guides drop back at the first command.

In “Squads right” or “Platoons, column right” interior guides of platoons cross the company.  A good rule for beginners is always to cross over (except in “column right").

Guide of a company in line is right (unless otherwise announced).

Guide of a platoon in line is right.

Guide of a battalion in line is center.