28. Being at order arms: 1. Fix, 2. BAYONETS.-a. If the bayonet scabbard is carried on the belt: Execute parade rest; grasp the bayonet with the right hand back of the hand toward the body; pressing the spring with the forefinger, draw the bayonet from the scabbard and fix it on the barrel, glancing at the muzzle; resume the order. b. If the bayonet is carried on the haversack: Draw and fix the bayonet in the most convenient manner. 29. Being at order arms: 1. Unfix, 2. BAYONETS.-a. If the bayonet scabbard is carried on the belt: Execute parade rest; grasp the handle of the bayonet with the right hand, pressing the spring, raise the bayonet until the handle is about 12 inches above the muzzle of the rifle; drop the point to the left, back of the hand toward the body, and glancing at the scabbard, return the bayonet, the blade passing between the left arm and the body; regrasp the rifle with the right hand and resume the order. b. If the bayonet scabbard is carried on the haversack: Take the bayonet from the rifle as described above and return it to the scabbard in the most convenient manner. 30. Being at order arms: 1. Stand at, 2. EASE.-a. At the command Ease, carry the left foot about 12 inches to the left, keeping the legs straight, so that the weight of the body rests equally on both feet. At the same time incline the muzzle of the rifle to the front, the right arm extended, right hand grasping the rifle just below the upper band. Hold the left hand behind the body resting in the small of the back, palm to the rear. b. This command will be used when it is desired to maintain a uniform appearance of the unit. 31. General rules.-a. The commands for loading and firing are the same whether standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying down. b. When kneeling, sitting, or lying down in double rank, the rear rank does not load, aim, or fire. c. The instruction in firing is preceded by a command for loading. d. Loadings are executed in line and skirmish line only. e. Rifles having been ordered loaded, are kept loaded without command until the command Unload or Inspection arms, fresh clips being inserted when the magazine is exhausted. 32. To load.—a. Being in line or skirmish line at a halt: 1. With dummy (blank or ball) cartridges, 2. LOAD. At the command Load each front rank rifleman or skirmisher faces half right and carries the right foot about 12 inches to the right to such position as will insure the greatest firmness and steadiness of the body; raises or lowers the rifle and drops it into the left hand at the balance, left thumb extended along the stock, muzzle at the height of the breast, and if armed with the model 1903 rifle, turns the cutoff up. With the right hand he turns up the bolt and draws it back; takes a loaded clip and inserts the end in the clip slots; places his thumb on the powder space of the top cartridge, the fingers extending around the rifle and tips resting on the magazine floor plate; forces the cartridges into the magazine by pressing down with the thumb; removes the clip; thrusts the bolt home, turning down the handle; turns the safety lock to the "safe" and carries the hand to the small of the stock. When in double rank each rear rank rifleman moves to the right front, takes a similar position opposite the interval to the right of his front rank man, muzzle of his rifle extending beyond the front rank, and loads. Automatic riflemen do not execute the loadings or firings in close order. b. For instruction in loading: 1. Simulate, 2. LOAD. Execute as above described except that the cut-off (model 1903 rifle) remains "off" and the handling of the cartridges is simulated. The recruits are first taught to simulate loading and firing. After a few lessons, dummy cartridges may be used. Later blank cartridges may be used. c. The model 1903 rifle may be used as a single loader by turning the magazine "off." The magazine may be filled in whole or in part while "off" or "on" by pressing cartridges singly down and back until they are in the proper place. The use of the rifle as a single loader is, however, to be regarded as exceptional. The model 1917 rifle can not be used as a single loader. 33. To unload.—Being in line or skirmish line: UNLOAD. Take the position of load, turn the safety lock (model 1903 rifle) up (if armed with the model 1917 rifle turn the safety lock to the front) and move the bolt alternately backward and forward until all the cartridges are ejected. After the last cartridge is ejected, the chamber is closed by first thrusting the bolt forward slightly to free it from the stud holding it in place when the chamber is opened, pressing the follower down and back to engage it under the bolt, and then thrusting the bolt home. The trigger then is pulled, the cartridges are picked up, cleaned and returned to the belt, and the rifle is brought to the order. 34. To fire by volley.-a. Being in any firing formation and rifles loaded: 1. Ready, 2. AIM, 3. Squad, 4. FIRE. (For ceremonial purposes.) At the command Ready take the position of load if not already there and turn the safety lock to the "ready." At the command Aim raise the rifle with both hands, butt placed and held firmly against the shoulder, left hand well under the rifle, left hand grasping the rifle at or in front of the balance, rifle resting in the palm of the left hand, right elbow at the height of the shoulder, right cheek held firmly against the stock as far forward as it can be placed without straining. The rifle is raised 30° from the horizontal or, if ordered, at the horizontal. The left eye is closed, right eye looking through the notch of the rear sight. At the command Fire the trigger is squeezed rapidy; the rifle is then lowered to the position of load and loaded. When in double rank each rear rank man aims through the interval to the right of his file leader and leans forward slightly to advance the muzzle of his rifle beyond his front rank man. b. To continue the firing: 1. Aim, 2. Squad, 3. FIRE. Each command is executed as previously explained. Load (from the magazine) is executed by drawing back and thrusting home the bolt with the right hand, leaving the safety lock turned up to the "ready." 35. To suspend firing.-a. The instructor blows a long blast of the whistle and repeats it, if necessary, or commands: SUSPEND FIRING. Firing stops; rifles are held loaded and locked, in a position of readiness for instant resumption of firing, rear sights unchanged. The men continue to observe the target or aiming point, or place at which the target disappeared, or at which it is expected to reappear. Suspend firing is used for short pauses or to steady the men. b. This whistle signal may be used as a preliminary to cease firing. 36. To cease firing.-a. CEASE FIRING. Firing stops; rifles not already there are brought to the position of load; those not loaded are then loaded; sights are laid and rifles are locked and brought to the order. Cease firing is used for long pauses, to prepare for changes of position. b. Commands for suspending or ceasing fire may be given at any time after the preparatory command for firing whether the firing has actually commenced or not. |