When the alignment is correct, the commands
Ready, FRONT are given. On FRONT, heads snap to
the front and arms drop to the side.
TO COVER OFF. This command is given when the
formation is in column or in two or more ranks. On the
command COVER, the forward member or forward
rank stands fast. You will then move, left or right, to
position yourself directly behind the person in front of
you while maintaining a 40-inch distance.
FROM NORMAL TO CLOSE INTERVAL. The
commands Close, MARCH tell members to move from
normal interval to close interval while in line. On
MARCH, all members, except the right flank member,
pivot to the right on the ball of the right foot and step off
on the left foot (one count). They march forward until
they obtain an approximate close interval, halt, and face
to the left. They then form at close interval, as already
described. All members lower their arms when the
member on their left has obtained the proper interval.
FROM CLOSE TO NORMAL INTERVAL. The
commands Extend, MARCH tell members to change
from close interval to normal interval while in line. On
MARCH, all members, except the right flank member,
pivot to the left on the ball of the right foot and step off
on the left foot (one count). They march forward until
they obtain an approximate normal interval, halt, and
face to the right. Then they form at normal interval, as
previously described . Each member drops the left arm
when the member to the left has obtained the proper
interval.
DOUBLE-ARM INTERVAL. The commands
Take Interval To The Left MARCH, tell members at
either close or normal interval to form a double-arm
interval. At the command MARCH, members move as
when extending ranks, except that each member raises
both arms and touches the fingertips of the members on
either side to obtain the double-arm interval. (The right
flank member raises only the left arm, and the left flank
member raises only the right arm.) Each member
smartly lowers the right arm after obtaining proper
interval to the right and lowers the left arm when the
member on the left lowers the right arm.
FROM
DOUBLE-ARM
TO
NORMAL
INTERVAL. The commands Assemble To The Right
MARCH, instruct members to obtain normal interval
from double-arm interval. Execute this movement as
you would in closing, but form at normal interval.
TO COUNT OFF. The commands Count OFF
instruct members to count off while in a rank or line. On
the command OFF, all members, except the right flank
member, smartly turn their heads and look to the right.
The right flank member shouts ONE, the next member
in rank or line shouts TWO, and so on, in quick cadence
on down the line through the left flank member. As each
member shouts the appropriate number, he or she turns
the head smartly to the front.
Members in a file or column count off when given
the commands From Front To Rear Count OFF. Each
member, starting with the squad leader, turns the head to
the right and shouts the appropriate number while
turning the head back to the front.
The commands Open Ranks MARCH are given
when more distance between ranks is required; for
example, for a personnel inspection. On the command
MARCH, the front rank takes two paces forward, the
second rank takes one pace (30 inches) forward, and the
third rank stands fast. Each succeeding rank takes two,
four, or six (15-inch) steps backward. Each rank
automatically dresses right as soon as it halts. When the
alignment is completed, the commands Ready FRONT
are given.
TO CLOSE RANKS. The commands Close Ranks
MARCH tell members to close ranks. On the command
MARCH, the front rank stands fast, the second rank
takes one pace forward, the third rank takes two paces
forward, the fourth rank takes three paces forward, and
so on. You will halt and cover without command.
HAND SALUTE. Begin a salute on the commands
Hand SALUTE, and complete the salute on the
command TWO. On the command SALUTE, raise your
right hand smartly. At the command TWO, return to
attention by moving your hand smartly in the most
direct manner back to its normal position at your side.
(If you are in formation, the preparatory command
Ready will be given before the command of execution,
TWO.)
UNCOVER. Many religious ceremonies, and
usually inspections, require you to remove your hat
10-36
Student Notes: