c. To arrest the march from side steps: 1. Squad, 2. HALT. At the command, Halt, given as the heels are together, plant the foot next in cadence as in the movement being executed, completing the halt when the heels are next brought together. 251. To mark time.-a. Being in march: 1. Mark time, 2. MARCH.

b. At the command, March, given as either foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the other foot; bring up the foot in rear, placing it so that both heels are on line and continue the cadence by alternately raising and planting each foot. The feet are raised 2 inches from the ground.

c. Being at a halt, at the command, March, raise and plant first the left foot, then the right as prescribed above.

252. Half step.-a. 1. Half step, 2. MARCH. Take steps of 15 inches in quick time and 18 inches in double time in the same manner as in the full step.

b. Forward, Half step, Halt, and Mark time may be executed one from the other in quick or double time.

c. To resume the full step from half step or mark time: 1, Forward, 2 MARCH.

253. Side step.-a. The soldier being at a halt or mark time: 1. Right (left) step, 2. MARCH.

b. Carry the right foot 10 inches to the right; place the left foot beside the right, left knee straight. Continue in the cadence of quick time.

c. The side step is used for short distances only and is not executed in double time.

254. Back step.-a. Being at a halt or mark time: 1. Backward, 2. MARCH.

b. Take steps of 15 inches straight to the rear. The back step is used for short distances only and is not executed in double time.

255. To face in marching.—a. To face in marching and advance from a halt.-At the command of execution turn in the designated direction on the ball of the right foot and at the same time step off in the new direction with the left foot with a half step, full step, or in double time, as the case may be.

b. To face in marching and mark time from a halt.-Execute the movement similarly, the left foot being placed beside the right as in mark time.

c. To face to the right in marching and advance, being in march. At the command of execution, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot. (Two)

Turn to the right on the ball of the left foot and at the same time step off in the new direction with the right foot at a half step, full step, or in double time, as the case may be.

d. To face to the left in marching and advance, being in march.-Execute the movement similarly, the command of execution being given as the left foot strikes the ground.

e. To face to the right (left) in marching and mark time, being in march.-At the command of execution, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot. (Two) Turn to the right on the ball of the left foot; at the same time raise the right foot and place it beside the left foot as in mark time.

f. In movements, such as the turn on the fixed pivot at a halt, wherein a definite number of steps is required, the execution of the prescribed face in marching by certain members of the squad is not always possible. For such cases, facing on the ball of either foot is authorized.

256. To march by the flank.-a. Being in march: 1. By the right (left) flank, 2. MARCH.

b. At the command March, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot, then face to the right in marching and step off in the new direction with the right foot.

257. To march to the rear.-a. Being in march: 1. To the rear, 2. MARCH.

b. At the command, March, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; turn to the right about on the balls of both feet and immediately step off with the left foot. If marching in double time, turn to the right about, taking four steps in place and keeping the cadence, and then step off with the left foot.

258. To change step.-a. Being in march in quick time: 1. Change step, 2. MARCH.

b. At the command, 'March, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; plant the toe of the right foot near the heel of the left and step off with the left foot.

c. Execute the change on the right foot similarly, the command, March, being given as the left foot strikes the ground.

d. Being in march in double time: At the command, March, given as either foot strikes the ground, take one hop on the next foot and continue the march.

INSTRUCTION DISMOUNTED WITH RIFLE AND

AUTOMATIC RIFLE

(T. R. 50-20)

SECTION I

GENERAL RULES

259. Instruction of recruit.-As soon as practicable the recruit is taught the use, care, and nomenclature of the rifle. When fair progress has been made in the instruction without arms, he is taught the manual of arms. Instruction without

arms and with arms should alternate.

260. Rules governing carrying of the rifle.—a. The rifle is not carried with cartridges in either the chamber or the magazine except when specifically ordered. When so loaded or when supposed to be loaded, it is habitually carried locked; that is, with the safety lock turned to the "safe." At all other times it is carried unlocked, with the trigger pulled.

b. Whenever troops are formed under arms, pieces are immediately inspected at the command: 1. Inspection, 2. ARMS. A similar inspection is made before dismissal. If cartridges are found in the chamber or magazine, they are removed and placed in the belt.

c. The cut-off is kept turned "off" except when cartridges are actually used. (Applicable to troops armed with U. S.

Rifle, Model 1903.)

d. The bayonet is fixed at any time when so ordered.

e. Fall in is executed with the rifle at the order arms.

f. (1) If at the order, unless otherwise prescribed, the rifle is brought to the right shoulder at the command MARCH (in quick time), the three motions corresponding with the first three steps. If Double time is given prior to March, the unit is brought to the Right (left) shoulder or Port arms before the command double time.

(2) Movements may be executed at the trail by prefacing the preparatory command with the words "at trail"; as 1. At trail, forward, 2. MARCH. The trail is taken at the command March.

(3) When the facings, alignments, open and close ranks, side step and back step, taking interval, and assembly are executed

145

from the order, the rifle is brought to the trail while in motion and the order resumed on halting.

g. The rifle is brought to the order on halting except in executing: 1. In place, 2. HALT. The execution of the order begins when the halt is completed.

h. In double time, when armed with the rifle, a disengaged hand is held as when without arms.

261. Rules governing carrying of the automatic rifle.-a. At the command Fall in, automatic rifles are slung over the right shoulder, butt down, barrel to the rear.

b. For ceremonies and drill, the automatic rifle is carried slung over the right shoulder, butt down, barrel to the rear. c. For marches and field exercises, the automatic rifle may be carried slung over either shoulder.

d. When troops are brought to attention, the automatic rifleTM is slung as prescribed for drills and ceremonies. It is carried slung until the command rest is given, unless otherwise ordered.

If

e. When troops are standing at ease, the automatic rifle is kept slung unless otherwise ordered. Automatic riflemen assume the position of at ease or stand at ease as without arms. the automatic rifle is ordered unslung, the position of at ease or stand at ease is taken as prescribed for troops armed with the rifle.

f. When troops are standing at rest the automatic rifle is unslung.

g. The automatic rifleman does not execute the manual except

(1) 1. Parade, 2. REST. Execute the movement as without arms.

(2) 1. Inspection, 2. ARMS. At the command Arms grasp the magazine with the left hand, at the same time pressing the magazine release with the right hand. Withdraw the magazine with the left hand and place in belt. Pull back the operating handle with the left hand.

(3) Being at inspection arms: 1. Order (port, right shoulder), 2. ARMS. At the command Order, pull the trigger, replace the magazine, and resume the position of the soldier, the automatic rifle being kept slung.

h. When arms are stacked the automatic rifle is placed on the stack as prescribed for a loose piece.

i. The automatic rifle belt is worn whenever the automatic rifle is carried.

j. The salute.-When the automatic rifle is unslung the salute is executed as with the rifle. When the automatic rifle is carried slung, the hand salute is executed.

262. Rules governing the execution of manual of arms.—a. In all positions of the left hand at the balance, the thumb clasps the rifle; the sling is included in the grasp of the hand. In describing the manual of arms the term "at the balance" in this text refers to the center of the rear-sight leaf of the model 1903 rifle and to the center of the groove on the hand guard of the model 1917 rifle.

b. In all positions of the rifle, “diagonally across tl body," the position of the rifle, left arm, and left hand is the same as in port arms.

c. In resuming the order from any position in the manual, the motion next to the last concludes with all fingers of the right hand grasping the rifle just above the lower band, the butt of the rifle about 3 inches from the ground, barrel to the rear, the left hand above and near the right, steadying the rifle, thumb and fingers extended and joined, forearm and wrist straight and inclining downward. To complete the order, lower the rifle gently to the ground with the right hand, cut away the left smartly to the side, and take the position of order arms. Allowing the rifle to drop through the right hand to the ground, or similar abuse of the rifle to produce effect in executing the manual, is prohibited.

The

d. The cadence of the motions is that of quick time. recruits are first required to give their whole attention to the details of the motions, the cadence being gradually acquired as they become accustomed to handling their rifles. The instructor may require them to count aloud in cadence with the motions.

e. (1) The manual may be executed while marching, except Present arms, Order arms, Parade rest, Trail arms, Stand at ease, Inspection arms, and Fix and Unfix bayonets.

(2) The manual is taught at a halt, and the movements are, for the purpose of instruction, divided into motions and executed in detail. In this case, the command of execution determines the prompt execution of the first motion and the commands Two, three, four, that of the other motions.

(3) To execute the movements in detail, the instructor first cautions: By the numbers. All movements divided into motions are then executed as above explained until he cautions: Without the numbers, or commands movements other than those in the manual of arms.

f. (1) Whenever circumstances require, the regular positions of the manual of arms and the firings may be ordered without regard to the previous position of the rifle,