31. Formation for Physical Exercises.-The men should be separated by a sufficient distance or interval to allow free movement of arms and legs.

This may be accomplished by the formation, TAKE INTERVAL, for small commands. For larger units the following formation is recommended:

Being in column of squads, the command is:

1. Extend on Numbers One, 2. MARCH, 3. Arms, 4. DOWN, 5. Rear rank to the right, 6. JUMP.

At the second command (March), numbers two, three and four both ranks run out to the left two, four and six steps, respectively, and halt facing the instructor; number one front and rear rank stand fast. All, including number one, raise their arms sideward (palms down) horizontally as soon as they individually reach their new places.

The arms are lowered smartly to the sides at the command DOWN.

At the command JUMP each rear rank man, including number one of the rear rank, jumps to the right squarely into the middle of the interval on his right. In making this jump or hop the legs are separated, the body is shoved off with the left leg, alights on the right leg, and the left heel is brought up to the right with a click. All of the numbers cover in file from front to rear.

Being in the above formation, to assemble, the command is:

1. Assemble on Number One, 2. MARCH.

At the command MARCH, number one of the front rank stands fast; all others return individually to their places in the column of squads.

32. The Position of Attention.-This is the position an unarmed dismounted soldier assumes when in ranks. During the setting-up exercises, it is assumed whenever the command attention is given by the instructor. Having allowed his men to rest, the instructor commands: 1. Squad, 2. ATTENTION. Figs. A and B.

The words class, section, or company may be substituted for the word "squad".

At the command attention, the men will quickly assume and retain the following position:

Heels on same line and as near each other as the conformation of the man permits.

Feet turned out equally and forming an angle of about 45 degrees.
Knees straight without stiffness.

The body erect on the hips, the spine extended throughout its entire length.

The shoulders falling naturally, are forced back until they are square. Chest arched and slightly raised.

The arms hang naturally; thumbs along seams of trousers; back of hands out and elbows turned back.

Head erect, chin drawn in so that the axis of the head and neck is vertical; eyes straight to the front and, when the nature of the terrain permits it, fixed on an object at their own height.

Too much attention can not be given to this position, and instructors are cautioned to insist that the men accustom themselves to it. As a rule, it is so exaggerated that it not only becomes ridiculous, but positively harmful. The men must be taught to assume a natural and graceful position, one from which all rigidity is eliminated and from which action is possible without first relaxing muscles that have been constrained in an effort to maintain the position of attention. In other words, coordination rather than strength should be depended upon.

In the position described the weight rests principally upon the balls of the feet, the heels resting lightly upon the ground.

The knees are extended easily, but never locked.

The body is now inclined forward until the front of the thighs is directly over the base of the toes; the hips are square and the waist is extended by the erection of the entire spine, but never to such a degree that mobility of the waist is lost.

In extending the spine, the chest is naturally arched and the abdomen is drawn in, but never to the extent where it interferes with respiration.

In extending the spinal column, the shoulders must not be raised, but held loosely in normal position and forced back until the points of the shoulders are at right angles with an anterior-posterior plane running through the body.

The chin should be square; i. e., horizontal and forced back enough to bring the neck in a vertical plane; the eyes fixed to the front and the object on which they are fixed must be at their own height whenever the nature of the terrain permits it.

When properly assumed, a vertical line drawn from the top of the head should pass in front of the ear, just in front of the shoulder and of the thigh, and find its base at the balls of the feet.

All muscles should be contracted only enough to maintain this position, which at all times should be a lithesome one, that can be maintained for a long period without fatigue-one that makes for activity and that is based upon a correct anatomical and physiological basis.

Instructors will correct the position of attention of every man individually and they will ascertain, when the position has been properly assumed, whether the men are "on their toes," i. e., carrying the weight on the balls of the feet, whether they are able to respire properly. This position should be repeated until the men are able to assume it correctly without restraint or rigidity.

At the command rest or at ease the men, while carrying out the provisions of the drill regulations, should be cautioned to avoid assuming any position that has a tendency to nullify the object of the position of attention; as standing on one leg for instance; allowing the shoulders to slope forward;

drooping the head; folding arms across chest, etc. The weight should always be distributed equally upon both legs; the head, trunk, and shoulders remain erect and the arms held in a position that does not restrict the chest nor derange the shoulders. The positions illustrated in Figures C and D have been found most efficacious.

33. Starting Positions.-In nearly all the arm exercises it is necessary to hold the arms in some fixed position from which the exercise can be most advantageously executed, and to which position the arms are again returned upon completing the exercise. These positions are termed STARTING POSITIONS, and, though it may not be absolutely necessary to assume one of them before or during the employment of any other portion of the body, it is advisable to do so. In the following positions, at the command DOWN, resume the attention. Practice in assuming the starting position may be had by repeating the commands of executions such as RAISE, DOWN.

Intervals having been taken, and attention assumed, the instructor commands:

(3) 1. Arms upward, 2. RAISE, 3. Arms, 4. DOWN.

At the command RAISE, raise the arms from the sides, extended to their full length, with the forward movement, until they are vertical, back of hands turned outward, fingers as in (1). This position may also be assumed by raising the arms laterally until vertical. The instructor states the way in which he desires it done.

FIG. 3

(4) 1. Arms backward, 2. CROSS, 3. Arms, 4. DOWN.

At the command CROSS, the arms are folded across the back, hands grasping the forearms.

(5) 1. Arms to thrust, 2. RAISE, 3. Arms, 4. DOWN.

At the command RAISE, raise the forearms to the front until horizontal, elbows forced back, upper arms against the chest, hands tightly closed, knuckles down.