Chapter VII
Introduction to Infantry Drill

Training Regulations, No. 420-45

DEFINITIONS

Alignment: A straight line upon which several elements are formed, or are to be formed; or the dressing of several elements upon a straight line.

Base: The element on which a movement is regulated.

Center: The middle point or element of a command. Column: A formation in which the elements are placed one behind another. Depth: The space from head to rear of any formation or of a position, including the leading and rear elements. The depth of a man is assumed to be 12 inches.

Distance: Space between elements in the direction of depth. Distance is measured from the back of the man in front to the breast of the man in the rear. The distance between ranks is 40 inches in both line and column.

Element: A file, squad, platoon, company, or larger body, forming part of a still larger body.

File: Two men, the front-rank man and the corresponding man of the rear

rank. The front-rank man is the file leader. A file which has no rearrank man is a blank file. The term file applies also to a single man in a single-rank formation.

File closers: Such officers and noncommissioned officers of a company as are posted in rear of the line. For convenience, all men posted in the line of file closers.

Flank: The right or left of a command in line or in column or the element on the right or left of the line. Also the side of a force or of a position in the direction of depth.

Formation: Arrangement of the elements of a command. The placing of all fractions in their order in line, in column, or for battle.

Frontage: The space occupied by an element measured from one flank to the opposite flank. The frontage of a man is assumed to be 22 inches. Guide: An officer, noncommissioned officer, or private upon whom the command (or elements thereof) regulates its march.

Head: The leading element of a column.

Interval: Space between elements of the same line. The interval between men in ranks is 4 inches and is measured from elbow to elbow. Between companies, squads, etc., it is measured from the left elbow of the left man or guide of the group on the right, to the right elbow of the right man or guide of the group on the left.

Left: The left extremity or element of a body of troops.

Line: A formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other. Loose pieces: Rifles and automatic rifles not used in making stacks.

Order, close: The formation in which the units, in double rank, are arranged in line or in column with normal intervals and distances.

Piece: The term piece as used in these regulations means the rifle and the automatic rifle.

Pace: A step of 30 inches; the length of the full step in quick time.

Rank: A line of men placed side by side.

Right: The right extremity or element of a body of troops.

Step: The distance measured from heel to heel between the feet of a man walking. A step may be any prescribed number of inches. The half step and back step are 15 inches. The right step and left step are 10 inches. The steps in quick and double time are 30 and 36 inches, respectively.

Purpose of drill

Explanation of text in using right and left

General rules concerning movements

Double time

Correction of errors and commands

General rules for the guide

Pivots

Partial changes of direction

Designations

Distance and step

Formation in double rank

Method of obtaining intervals

Posts of officers, noncommissioned officers, guidons, and special units
Commands

Signals

Guidon

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1. Purpose of drill.-a. The Training Regulations on close-order drill provide the principles for training in precise movements and for insuring the probability of success in battle.

b. Drills executed at attention are disciplinary exercises designed to give practice in soldierly movements and to inculcate that prompt obedience which is essential to discipline. To this end smartness and precision should be developed in the execution of every detail. Such drills should be frequent but short.

2. Explanation of text in using right and left.-Movements that may be executed toward either flank are explained as toward but one flank. To adapt a description of a movement executed toward one flank to its execution toward the opposite flank it is necessary only to substitute the word "left" for "right" as the case requires.

3. General rules concerning movements.-a. In movements executed toward the right flank when marching, the command of execution is given when the right foot strikes the ground; in movements toward the left flank, when the left foot strikes the ground.

b. Any movement may be executed either from a halt or when marching, unless otherwise prescribed. If at a halt the command for movements involving marching, such as 1. Column right (left), 2. MARCH, is not prefaced by the command forward.

4. Double time.-a. Any movement not specially expected may be executed in double time.

b. If a unit is at a halt, or marching in quick time, and it is desired that a movement be executed in double time, the command double time precedes the command of execution.

c. In successive movements executed in double time, the leading or base unit marches in quick time, when not otherwise prescribed; the other units march in double time to their places in the formation ordered and then conform to the gait of the leading or base unit. If the unit is marching in double time the command double time is omitted. When marching in double time and a command is given for the execution of a successive movement, the leading or base unit takes up the march in quick time at the command of execution; the other units continue to march in double time to their places in the formation ordered and then conform to the gait of the leading or base unit.

d. To hasten the execution of a movement begun in quick time, the command: 1. Double time, 2. MARCH, is given. The leading or base unit continues to march in quick time, or remains at a halt if already halted; the other units complete the execution of the movement in double time and then conform to the gait of the leading or base unit.

5. Correction of errors and commands.—a. To arrest a movement for the correction of errors in the execution when marching, the command: 1. In place, 2. HALT, is given. All halt and stand fast without changing the positions of the pieces. To resume the movement, the command: 1. Resume, 2. MARCH, is given.

b. To revoke a command, or to begin anew a movement improperly begun from a halt, the command: AS YOU WERE, is given, at which the movement ceases and the former position is resumed.

6. General rules for the guide.-a. Unless otherwise announced, the guide of a platoon or subdivision of a company in line is right; of a company in iine or line of subdivisions, center; of a rank in column of squads, toward the side on which the guide of the column marches.

b. To march with the guide other than as prescribed above, or to change the guide, the command: Guide (right, left, or center), is given.

c. In successive formations into line, the guide is toward the point of rest; in platoons or larger subdivisions, the guide is so announced.

d. The announcement of the guide, when made in connection with a movement, follows the command of execution for the movement.

7. Pivots.-a. The turn on fixed pivots by subdivisions is used in all formations from the line into column and the reverse.

b. The turn on the moving pivot is used by subdivisions of a column in executing changes of direction.

8. Partial changes of direction.-a. Partial changes of direction may be executed by interpolating in the preparatory command the word half, as Column half right (left), or Right (left) half turn, so as to change direction 45°.

b. Slight changes in direction are affected by the command: Incline to the right (left). The guide or guiding element moves in the indicated direction, and the remainder of the command conforms.

9. Designations.-The designations line of sections, line of platoons, or line of companies, refer to the formations in which the sections, platoons, or companies, each in column of squads, are in line.

10. Distance and step.-a. Full distance in column of subdivisions is such that in forming line to the right or left, the subdivisions will have their proper intervals.

b. In column of subdivisions, the guide of the leading subdivision is charged with the step and direction; the guides in the rear preserve the trace, step, and distance.

11. Formation in double rank.-In close order, all details, detachments, and other bodies of troops are habitually formed in double rank.

12. Method of obtaining intervals.-Uniformity of interval between files, when falling in and when aligning elements, is obtained as outlined in TR 420-50 (Chapter VIII).

13. Posts of officers, noncommissioned officers, guidons, and special units.-a. The posts of officers, noncommissioned officers, guidons, or special units, in the various formations of the platoon, company, battalion, or regiment, are shown in plates of the Training Regulations for infantry drill.

b. When changes of formation involve changes of posts, the new post is taken by the most convenient and direct route, except where otherwise prescribed, as soon as practicable after the command of execution for the movement; officers and noncommissioned officers who have prescribed duties in connection with the movement ordered take their new posts when such duties are completed.

c. When acting as instructors, officers and noncommissioned officers go wherever their presence is necessary. As file closers, they rectify mistakes and insure steadiness and promptness in the ranks.

d. In subsequent movements after the initial formation, guidons and special units maintain their relative positions with respect to the flank or end of the command on which they were originally posted.

e. In all formations and movements, a noncommissioned officer commanding a platoon or company carries his rifle as the men do, if he is so armed. He takes the same post as prescribed for an officer in command. When giving commands, making reports, or drilling a unit, his rifle is at the right shoulder, if he be so armed.

14. Commands.-a. Commands only are employed in close order drill at attention.

b. In these regulations a command is the direction of the commander expressed orally and in prescribed phraseology.

c. Where it is not mentioned in the text who gives the prescribed commands, they will be given by the commander of the unit.

d. There are two kinds of commands:

(1) The preparatory command, such as forward, which indicates the movement that is to be executed.

(2) The command of execution, such as MARCH, HALT, or ARMS, which causes the execution.

e. Preparatory commands are distinguished in these regulations by small heavy type and those of execution by capitals.

f. The preparatory command is given at such interval of time before the 'command of execution as to admit of proper understanding; the command of execution is given at the instant the movement is to commence.

g. When the preparatory command consists of more than one part, its elements are arranged as follows:

(1) For movements to be executed successively by the subdivisions or elements of an organization.

(a) Description of the movement.

(b) How executed, or on what element executed.

(2) For movements to be executed simultaneously by the subdivisions of an organization.

(a) The designation of the subdivision.

(b) The movement to be executed.

h. The tone of the command should be animated, distinct, and of a loudIness proportioned to the number of men for whom it is intended.

i. Commanders of companies and larger units repeat such commands of their superiors as are to be executed by their units, except where otherwise prescribed.

j. When giving commands to troops the commander faces them. When the platoon in close-order drill or in ceremonies is part of a larger unit, the leader turns his head toward the column to give commands but does not face about. Indifference in giving commands must be avoided, as this leads to laxity in execution. Commands must be given with spirit.

k. Officers and men fix their attention at the first word of command. 1. Commanders or leaders of subdivisions repeat commands whenever repetition is deemed necessary to insure prompt and correct execution.

15. Signals.-a. Officers, platoon and section leaders, and platoon sergeants are equipped with whistles. The battalion commander and his staff use a whistle of distinctive tone; company commanders a second distinctive whistle; platoon and section leaders, and platoon sergeants, a third distinctive whistle. b. A signal includes both the preparatory command and the command of execution; the movement commences as soon as the signal is understood, unless otherwise prescribed.

c. Officers and men fix their attention at the first note of the bugle or whistle, or the first motion of the signal.

d. Commanders or leaders repeat signals whenever repetition is deemed necessary to insure prompt and correct execution.

e. Prescribed signals are limited to such as are essential as a substitute for the voice under conditions which render the voice inadequate.

16. Guidon. The guidon is a company emblem, its specifications prescribed and use authorized by Army Regulations. The care and use of the, guidon are governed by the following general rules: