CHAPTER 8 PLATOON DRILL CHAPTER 8 PLATOON DRILL

Platoon Drill Interval in line and count off same as squad Squad leaders are base for movements Simultaneous movements on platoon commander’s command of execution Interval in line and count off same as squad Squad leaders are base for movements Simultaneous movements on platoon commander’s command of execution

Platoon Drill (cont.) Successive movements on squad leaders’ supplemental commands Unit leader marches left and parallel When halted, unit leader 6 paces in front and centered Successive movements on squad leaders’ supplemental commands Unit leader marches left and parallel When halted, unit leader 6 paces in front and centered

Platoon Formation in Line

Platoon Formation in Column

Posts of Individuals Platoon Commander’s post: In line - 6 paces in front of center of front rank In column - at head of the left file Platoon Commander’s post: In line - 6 paces in front of center of front rank In column - at head of the left file

Mustering Petty Officer’s post: When platoon commander is present: ~ when platoon is in line, post is left of left member of rear rank ~ when platoon is in column, post is following last member of right file When platoon commander is absent, he/she takes platoon commander’s post. Mustering Petty Officer’s post: When platoon commander is present: ~ when platoon is in line, post is left of left member of rear rank ~ when platoon is in column, post is following last member of right file When platoon commander is absent, he/she takes platoon commander’s post. Posts of Individuals (cont.)

Platoon guide takes post as described in paragraph Extra members fall in on left when in line and in rear when in column. In this chapter, platoon commander means the individual drilling the platoon. Platoon guide takes post as described in paragraph Extra members fall in on left when in line and in rear when in column. In this chapter, platoon commander means the individual drilling the platoon. Posts of Individuals (cont.)

Platoon commander’s movements

Rules for the Guide

More Rules for the Guide Dress Right (Left) Dress Column of Files from the Left Column of Twos from the Left By the Right (Left) Flank and To The Rear Dress Right (Left) Dress Column of Files from the Left Column of Twos from the Left By the Right (Left) Flank and To The Rear

More Rules for the Guide (cont.) Other column/file changes Guide sets direction and cadence Guide does not Count Off Other column/file changes Guide sets direction and cadence Guide does not Count Off

Count Off Designates relative position in ranks. Executed when halted at attention, in line or column. In line, command is “Count, OFF.” In column, command is “From Front to Rear, Count, OFF.” Designates relative position in ranks. Executed when halted at attention, in line or column. In line, command is “Count, OFF.” In column, command is “From Front to Rear, Count, OFF.”

To Form Line From Column Executed only when halted. Command is “Left, FACE.” Platoon commander and guidon take new posts. Executed only when halted. Command is “Left, FACE.” Platoon commander and guidon take new posts.

Aligning a Platoon Aligning a Platoon Command is “Dress right, DRESS.” Command is “Dress right, DRESS.”

Close Interval Dress Right Dress

Executed in same manner as Dress Right Dress, except: Command is “At Close Interval, Dress Right, DRESS.” Executed in same manner as Dress Right Dress, except: Command is “At Close Interval, Dress Right, DRESS.”

All cadets except rightmost in squads place heel of left hand on hip, and look to the right. Cadets move by short steps until right arm touches left elbow of cadet to their right. All cadets except rightmost in squads place heel of left hand on hip, and look to the right. Cadets move by short steps until right arm touches left elbow of cadet to their right.

To Form For Physical Drill Executed when halted at attention and in column of threes or fours at normal interval If armed with rifles, at Order Arms “From Front to Rear, Count, OFF” Executed when halted at attention and in column of threes or fours at normal interval If armed with rifles, at Order Arms “From Front to Rear, Count, OFF”

To Form For Physical Drill (cont.) “Take Interval to the Left, MARCH” “Arms, DOWN” “Even Numbers to the Right, MOVE” Upon completion, “Assemble, MARCH” is given “Take Interval to the Left, MARCH” “Arms, DOWN” “Even Numbers to the Right, MOVE” Upon completion, “Assemble, MARCH” is given

To March In The Oblique

To March In The Oblique (cont.) "Forward, MARCH" - original direction "In Place, HALT" - halt in the oblique "Resume, MARCH" - resume oblique "Forward, MARCH" - original direction "In Place, HALT" - halt in the oblique "Resume, MARCH" - resume oblique

To March To The Rear The purpose is to march the platoon to the rear for a short distance. The command is “To the Rear, MARCH.” It is given when marching at quick time or at double time. The purpose is to march the platoon to the rear for a short distance. The command is “To the Rear, MARCH.” It is given when marching at quick time or at double time.

Q.1. What are the elements of a platoon headquarters? Q.1. What are the elements of a platoon headquarters?

A.1. Platoon headquarters consists of a minimum of a platoon commander, a mustering petty officer and a platoon guide. A.1. Platoon headquarters consists of a minimum of a platoon commander, a mustering petty officer and a platoon guide. Q.1. What are the elements of a platoon headquarters? Q.1. What are the elements of a platoon headquarters?

Q.2. Where does the unit leader march when in charge of the platoon? Q.2. Where does the unit leader march when in charge of the platoon?

A.2. The unit leader will march to the left and parallel to the platoon from a position where they can best control the unit. A.2. The unit leader will march to the left and parallel to the platoon from a position where they can best control the unit. Q.2. Where does the unit leader march when in charge of the platoon? Q.2. Where does the unit leader march when in charge of the platoon?

Q.3. What are the two formations of a platoon? Q.3. What are the two formations of a platoon?

A.3. Line and column Q.3. What are the two formations of a platoon? Q.3. What are the two formations of a platoon?

Q.4. Where is the platoon commander’s post when in line? Q.4. Where is the platoon commander’s post when in line?

A.4. In line, the platoon commander’s post is six (6) paces in front of the center of the front rank of the platoon. A.4. In line, the platoon commander’s post is six (6) paces in front of the center of the front rank of the platoon. Q.4. Where is the platoon commander’s post when in line? Q.4. Where is the platoon commander’s post when in line?

Q.5. Where does the mustering petty officer march in column formation? Q.5. Where does the mustering petty officer march in column formation?

A.5. The mustering petty officer follows the last member of the right file (squad). A.5. The mustering petty officer follows the last member of the right file (squad). Q.5. Where does the mustering petty officer march in column formation? Q.5. Where does the mustering petty officer march in column formation?

Q.6. Where does the guide march in the platoon unless otherwise directed? Q.6. Where does the guide march in the platoon unless otherwise directed?

A.6. The platoon guide takes post on the right. A.6. The platoon guide takes post on the right. Q.6. Where does the guide march in the platoon unless otherwise directed? Q.6. Where does the guide march in the platoon unless otherwise directed?

Q.7. What is the command to form the platoon? Q.7. What is the command to form the platoon?

A.7. “FALL IN” or “At Close Interval, FALL IN.” A.7. “FALL IN” or “At Close Interval, FALL IN.” Q.7. What is the command to form the platoon? Q.7. What is the command to form the platoon?

Q.8. How do you dismiss the platoon if under arms? Q.8. How do you dismiss the platoon if under arms?

A.8. “Inspection, ARMS;” “DISMISSED.” A.8. “Inspection, ARMS;” “DISMISSED.” Q.8. How do you dismiss the platoon if under arms? Q.8. How do you dismiss the platoon if under arms?

Q.9. What is the command for counting off while in column? Q.9. What is the command for counting off while in column?

A.9. “From Front to Rear, Count, OFF.” A.9. “From Front to Rear, Count, OFF.” Q.9. What is the command for counting off while in column? Q.9. What is the command for counting off while in column?

Q.10. What is the command given to form the platoon from line to column? Q.10. What is the command given to form the platoon from line to column?

A.10. “Right, FACE.” Q.10. What is the command given to form the platoon from line to column? Q.10. What is the command given to form the platoon from line to column?

Q.11. What is the command given to change the formation from a column back to a line? Q.11. What is the command given to change the formation from a column back to a line?

A.11. “Left, FACE.” Q.11. What is the command given to change the formation from a column back to a line? Q.11. What is the command given to change the formation from a column back to a line?

Q.12. What is the distance between squads when in line in the platoon? Q.12. What is the distance between squads when in line in the platoon?

A inches Q.12. What is the distance between squads when in line in the platoon? Q.12. What is the distance between squads when in line in the platoon?

Q.13. What does the platoon commander do after aligning the first rank in the platoon? Q.13. What does the platoon commander do after aligning the first rank in the platoon?

A.13. The platoon commander faces to the left as in marching, and moves to a position on line with the next rank. A.13. The platoon commander faces to the left as in marching, and moves to a position on line with the next rank. Q.13. What does the platoon commander do after aligning the first rank in the platoon? Q.13. What does the platoon commander do after aligning the first rank in the platoon?

Q.14. What are the proper procedures to do “Dress Left, DRESS”? Q.14. What are the proper procedures to do “Dress Left, DRESS”?

A.14. At the command, “Dress Left, DRESS,” everyone except those on the left flank smartly turn their heads to the left, look, and align themselves. At the same time they will smartly raise their left arm or elbow to provide interval (the left arm is used for both dress right and dress left). A.14. At the command, “Dress Left, DRESS,” everyone except those on the left flank smartly turn their heads to the left, look, and align themselves. At the same time they will smartly raise their left arm or elbow to provide interval (the left arm is used for both dress right and dress left). Q.14. What are the proper procedures to do “Dress Left, DRESS”? Q.14. What are the proper procedures to do “Dress Left, DRESS”?

Q.15. What is the purpose of “Close, MARCH”? Q.15. What is the purpose of “Close, MARCH”?

A.15. The purpose of this movement is to close the interval between files of a platoon in line to four (4) inches. A.15. The purpose of this movement is to close the interval between files of a platoon in line to four (4) inches. Q.15. What is the purpose of “Close, MARCH”? Q.15. What is the purpose of “Close, MARCH”?

Q.16. What is the purpose of “Extend, MARCH”? Q.16. What is the purpose of “Extend, MARCH”?

A.16. The purpose of this movement is to extend the interval between files of a platoon in line to one arm length. A.16. The purpose of this movement is to extend the interval between files of a platoon in line to one arm length. Q.16. What is the purpose of “Extend, MARCH”? Q.16. What is the purpose of “Extend, MARCH”?

Q.17. How many steps are taken by each rank when opening ranks? Q.17. How many steps are taken by each rank when opening ranks?

A.17. 1st rank takes two 30-inch steps, 2nd rank takes one 30-inch step and 3rd rank stands fast. If there is a 4th rank, they take two 15-inch back steps. A.17. 1st rank takes two 30-inch steps, 2nd rank takes one 30-inch step and 3rd rank stands fast. If there is a 4th rank, they take two 15-inch back steps. Q.17. How many steps are taken by each rank when opening ranks? Q.17. How many steps are taken by each rank when opening ranks?

Q.18. How many steps are taken by each rank upon the command “Close ranks, MARCH”? Q.18. How many steps are taken by each rank upon the command “Close ranks, MARCH”?

A.18. 1st rank stands fast, the 2nd rank takes one 30-inch step and 3rd rank takes two 30-inch steps. If there is a 4th rank, they take three steps and halt. A.18. 1st rank stands fast, the 2nd rank takes one 30-inch step and 3rd rank takes two 30-inch steps. If there is a 4th rank, they take three steps and halt. Q.18. How many steps are taken by each rank upon the command “Close ranks, MARCH”? Q.18. How many steps are taken by each rank upon the command “Close ranks, MARCH”?

Q.19. Which member of the platoon establishes the pivot point for “Column Left, MARCH” in the platoon? Q.19. Which member of the platoon establishes the pivot point for “Column Left, MARCH” in the platoon?

A.19. The leading member of the base squad, excluding the platoon commander and guide, establishes the pivot for the movement. A.19. The leading member of the base squad, excluding the platoon commander and guide, establishes the pivot for the movement. Q.19. Which member of the platoon establishes the pivot point for “Column Left, MARCH” in the platoon? Q.19. Which member of the platoon establishes the pivot point for “Column Left, MARCH” in the platoon?

Q.20. Which foot is the command of execution given on for “By the Right Flank, MARCH”? Q.20. Which foot is the command of execution given on for “By the Right Flank, MARCH”?

A.20. Right foot Q.20. Which foot is the command of execution given on for “By the Right Flank, MARCH”? Q.20. Which foot is the command of execution given on for “By the Right Flank, MARCH”?

Q.21. What is the command to resume the original direction of march after “Right Oblique, MARCH” is given? Q.21. What is the command to resume the original direction of march after “Right Oblique, MARCH” is given?

A.21. “Forward, MARCH.” Q.21. What is the command to resume the original direction of march after “Right Oblique, MARCH” is given? Q.21. What is the command to resume the original direction of march after “Right Oblique, MARCH” is given?

Q.22. The command “To the Rear, MARCH” is given as which foot strikes the deck? Q.22. The command “To the Rear, MARCH” is given as which foot strikes the deck?

A.22. Right foot Q.22. The command “To the Rear, MARCH” is given as which foot strikes the deck? Q.22. The command “To the Rear, MARCH” is given as which foot strikes the deck?

Q.23. When marching in column of twos, where does the platoon commander and guide march? Q.23. When marching in column of twos, where does the platoon commander and guide march?

A.23. The platoon commander is ahead of the left file, and the guide is in front of the right file. A.23. The platoon commander is ahead of the left file, and the guide is in front of the right file. Q.23. When marching in column of twos, where does the platoon commander and guide march? Q.23. When marching in column of twos, where does the platoon commander and guide march?

Q.24. TRUE or FALSE. “Close Ranks, HALT” is the command given when the need for extra distance is concluded. Q.24. TRUE or FALSE. “Close Ranks, HALT” is the command given when the need for extra distance is concluded.

A.24. FALSE. (“Close Ranks, MARCH” is the correct command.) A.24. FALSE. (“Close Ranks, MARCH” is the correct command.) Q.24. TRUE or FALSE. “Close Ranks, HALT” is the command given when the need for extra distance is concluded. Q.24. TRUE or FALSE. “Close Ranks, HALT” is the command given when the need for extra distance is concluded.

Q.25. TRUE or FALSE. Ranks in rear of the leading rank execute the pivot movements on the same points and in the same way as the leading rank. Q.25. TRUE or FALSE. Ranks in rear of the leading rank execute the pivot movements on the same points and in the same way as the leading rank.

A.25. TRUE. Q.25. TRUE or FALSE. Ranks in rear of the leading rank execute the pivot movements on the same points and in the same way as the leading rank. Q.25. TRUE or FALSE. Ranks in rear of the leading rank execute the pivot movements on the same points and in the same way as the leading rank.