Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 Part 2

31. _Commands_ only are employed in drill at attention. Otherwise either a _command_, _signal_, or _order_ is employed, as best suits the occasion, or one may be used in conjunction with another.

32. Signals should be freely used in instruction, in order that officers and men may readily know them. In making arm signals the saber, rifle, or headdress may be held in the hand.

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

34. Except in movements executed at _attention_, commanders or leaders of subdivisions repeat orders, commands, or signals whenever such repet.i.tion is deemed necessary to insure prompt and correct execution.

Officers, battalion noncommissioned staff officers, platoon leaders, guides, and musicians are equipped with whistles.

The major and his staff will use a whistle of distinctive tone; the captain and company musicians a second and distinctive whistle; the platoon leaders and guides a third distinctive whistle.

(_C.I.D.R., No. 15._)

35. Prescribed signals are limited to such as are essential as a subst.i.tute for the voice under conditions which render the voice inadequate.

Before or during an engagement special signals may be agreed upon to facilitate the solution of such special difficulties as the particular situation is likely to develop, but it must be remembered that simplicity and certainty are indispensable qualities of a signal.

_Orders._

36. In these regulations an _order_ embraces instructions or directions given orally or in writing in terms suited to the particular occasion and not prescribed herein.

_Orders_ are employed only when the _commands_ prescribed herein do not sufficiently indicate the will of the commander.

Orders are more fully described in paragraphs 378 to 383, inclusive.

_Commands._

37. In these regulations a _command_ is the will of the commander expressed in the phraseology prescribed herein.

38. There are two kinds of commands:

The _preparatory_ command, such as _forward_, indicates the movement that is to be executed.

The command of _execution_, such as _MARCH_, _HALT_, or _ARMS_, causes the execution.

_Preparatory_ commands are distinguished by _italics_, those of _execution_ by _CAPITALS_.

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

The _preparatory_ command should be given at such an interval of time before the command of _execution_ as to admit of being properly understood: the command of _execution_ should be given at the instant the movement is to commence.

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

Each _preparatory_ command is enunciated distinctly, with a rising inflection at the end, and in such manner that the command of _execution_ may be more energetic.

The command of _execution_ is firm in tone and brief.

39. Majors and commanders of units larger than a battalion repeat such commands of their superiors as are to be executed by their units, facing their units for that purpose. The battalion is the largest unit that executes a movement at the command of execution of its commander.

40. When giving commands to troops it is usually best to face toward them.

Indifference in giving commands must be avoided as it leads to laxity in execution. Commands should be given with spirit at all times.

_Bugle Signals._

41. The authorized bugle signals are published in Part V of these regulations.

The following bugle signals may be used off the battle field, when not likely to convey information to the enemy:

_Attention:_ Troops are brought to attention.

_Attention to orders:_ Troops fix their attention.

_Forward, march:_ Used also to execute quick time from double time.

_Double time, march._

_To the rear, march:_ In close order, execute _squads right about_.

_Halt._

_a.s.semble, march._

The following bugle signals may be used on the battle field:

_Fix bayonets._

_Charge._

_a.s.semble, march._

These signals are used only when intended for the entire firing line; hence they can be authorized only by the commander of a unit (for example, a regiment or brigade) which occupies a distinct section of the battle field. Exception: _Fix bayonet_. (See par. 318.)

The following bugle signals are used in exceptional cases on the battle field. Their princ.i.p.al uses are in field exercises and practice firing.

_Commence firing:_ Officers charged with fire direction and control open fire as soon as practicable. When given to a firing line, the signal is equivalent to _fire at will_.

_Cease firing:_ All parts of the line execute _cease firing_ at once.

These signals are not used by units smaller than a regiment, except when such unit is independent or detached from its regiment.

_Whistle Signals._

42. _Attention to orders._ A _short blast_ of the whistle. This signal is used on the march or in combat when necessary to fix the attention of troops, or of their commanders or leaders, preparatory to giving commands, orders, or signals.