Military Instructors Manual Part 12

After repeating above as much as desired have the men march in pairs, one man keeping time and the other counting steps and marching on two points.

They may check up every 10 seconds if desired.

IX. PLATOON GUIDES.

POSITION:

1. Behind the firing line, on left of platoon leader. (163, i.d.r.) 2. Advancing in line--behind center of platoon. (213 and 223, i.d.r.) To insure prompt and orderly advance.

3. "Advance by thin lines"--lead even numbered lines. (218, i.d.r.) 4. Advancing in squad or platoon column--in rear.

DUTIES:

(104, 213, 223, 229, 255, 367, 375, and 376, i.d.r.)

1. The platoon leader's a.s.sistant and may be a.s.signed any duty the platoon leader sees fit.

2. Keeps adjoining units under observation.

3. Watches firing line.

4. Checks every breach of fire discipline.

5. Prevents skulking, men leaving the ranks at any time to care for wounded, etc.

6. Designates new squad leaders and organizes new squads when necessary.

7. Attaches men that have become separated from squads to other squads.

8. Insures prompt and orderly advance.

9. On joining firing line from the support takes over duties of sergeants disabled.

10. May receive and transmit signals to the Captain.

11. If the platoon leader is disabled, he takes over his duties.

Hence he should know what the platoon leader is doing and how.

12. When taking over the duties of the platoon leader he calls the senior corporal of his platoon out to act as guide.

X. CORPORAL.

POSITION:

1. Marching in line, as center skirmisher of squad (124, i.d.r.) or 2. When skirmish line is halted, immediately behind his squad.

Note.--The School has recommended to the War Department that the Infantry Drill Regulations be changed to provide that the Corporal's position be as prescribed above and in paragraph 20, page 10.

DUTIES:

Paragraphs 42, 222, 252, 254, 255, 411, and 551, i.d.r., cover in general the corporal's duties.

The squad leader (Corporal) controls the fire of his squad, he must understand the duties of the private and in issuing his fire orders:

1. Receives his instructions from the platoon leader.

2. Points out indicated objective to his squad.

3. Takes as the squad target that portion of the platoon target which corresponds to the position of the squad in the platoon.

4. Announces sight setting.

5. Announces cla.s.s and rate of fire.

6. When his squad is ready to fire looks toward the platoon leader and holds up his hand. At the platoon leader's signal to commence firing he sees that the squad opens fire.

THEREAFTER:

1. Makes all fire from the shoulder.

2. Makes all use ordered rate of fire.

3. Insures that all fire at designated objective.

4. Prevents slighting of invisible portions of the target for more visible parts.

5. Prevents men from changing fire to unauthorized targets not in the a.s.signed front or sector.

6. Maintains constant observation to the front; when squad is firing, for effect of fire--when squad is not firing, for appearance of enemy.

7. Insures prompt obedience to orders to suspend and cease firing.

8. Makes men utilize ground to fullest extent for concealment in firing and advancing.

9. In sight-setting, changing sights and fixing bayonets, has front rank perform operation first (rear-rank men increasing rate of fire) and then the rear-rank follow while the front-rank men make up for loss of fire for the rear rank, thus insuring that the rate of fire for the squad does not fall off.

10. Prevents increasing vulnerability of squad while preparing for a rush, and rushes as soon after cease firing as possible.

11. When other squads of his platoon, are rushing, or the platoon which is covering the same target as is his platoon, is rushing he has his squad increase its rate of fire to make up for lost fire effect of the rushing element.

12. In rushing causes men to spring to feet running at full speed, all men to drop to the ground at the same time, and those who are in rear to crawl up to the line.

13. When re-enforcing the firing line, takes over the duties of disabled squad leaders. For this purpose his squad may drop into line at one place and he may move to the next squad on the right or left where there is a squad leader needed. If there are no vacancies caused by disabled squad leaders, he drops into line and a.s.sists the squad leaders who are there.

14. Prevents decreasing rate of fire when men are transmitting data to arriving supports.

15. Prevents wasting of ammunition.

16. Prevents use of 30 rounds in right pocket section of belts except on order of an officer.

17. Distributes ammunition of dead and wounded and ammunition brought up from the rear.

18. Prevents decreasing the rate of fire while ammunition is being distributed.

19. Looks to the rear only at his platoon leader's whistle "Attention." Pays no attention to any other except suspend firing.

20. Takes his position in rear of his squad when it is firing and remains there, where he can control its fire, and only crawls into line and adds his rifle when all control is lost. (Short ranges.) 21. To control his squad he does not walk up and down behind his squad but rolls along behind his line and keeps down.

22. Leads his squad in moving to the front or rear.

23. Must know thoroughly the drill regulation signals and have a good practical knowledge of the theory of fire.

24. In rushing, maintains the direction of advance of his squad so as not to blanket the fire of squads in his rear.

25. Takes advantage of every lull in the action and every favorable opportunity to reorganize his squad and get it more under control.

26. Checks every breach of fire discipline, abates excitement, and prevents any man from leaving the squad to go to the rear for any purpose whatsoever.

27. If called out of line to act as guide, notifies designated private (103, i.d.r.) to take command of squad.

XI. THE PRIVATE.

POSITION:

Deployed in line: One man per yard (125, i.d.r.), unless a greater extension is directed in the order for deployment. (126, i.d.r.)

DUTIES:

(6, 42, 104, 133, 134, 138, 139, 149, 152-156, 203, 209, 233, 247, 251, 254, 255, 319, 354, 367, i.d.r., and 209, s.a.f.m.)

The individual soldier must be trained:

1. To recognize targets from description quickly.

2. To describe and define targets.

3. To use rear sight in describing targets.

4. To use horizontal and vertical clock systems, singly or in combination in describing target.

5. To set sights quickly and accurately as ordered.

6. To bring piece to shoulder, aim carefully and deliberately from habit, and to reload quickly.