Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 | Page 4

is used by subdivisions of a column in
executing changes of direction.
18. Partial changes of direction may be executed:
By interpolating in the preparatory command the word half, as Column
half right (left), or Right (left) half turn. A change of direction of 45° is
executed.
By the command: INCLINE TO THE RIGHT (LEFT). The guide, or
guiding element, moves in the indicated direction and the remainder of
the command conforms. This movement effects slight changes of
direction.

19. The designations line of platoons, line of companies, line of
battalions, etc., refer to the formations in which the platoons,
companies, battalions, etc., each in column of squads, are in line.
20. Full distance in column of subdivisions is such that in forming line
to the right or left the subdivisions will have their proper intervals.
In column of subdivisions the guide of the leading subdivision is
charged with the step and direction; the guides in rear preserve the trace,
step, and distance.
21. In close order, all details, detachments, and other bodies of troops
are habitually formed in double rank.
To insure uniformity of interval between files when falling in and in
alignments, each man places the palm of the left hand upon the hip,
fingers pointing downward. In the first case the hand is dropped by the
side when the next man on the left has his interval; in the second case,
at the command front.
22. The posts of officers, noncommissioned officers, special units (such
as band or machine-gun company), etc., in the various formations of
the company, battalion, or regiment, are shown in plates.
In all changes from one formation to another involving a change of post
on the part of any of these, posts are promptly taken by the most
convenient route as soon as practicable after the command of execution
for the movement; officers and noncommissioned officers who have
prescribed duties in connection with the movement ordered, take their
new posts when such duties are completed.
As instructors, officers and noncommissioned officers go wherever
their presence is necessary. As file closers it is their duty to rectify
mistakes and insure steadiness and promptness in the ranks.
23. Except at ceremonies, the special units have no fixed places. They
take places as directed; in the absence of directions, they conform as
nearly as practicable to the plates, and in subsequent movements

maintain their relative positions with respect to the flank or end of the
command on which they were originally posted.
24. General, field, and staff officers are habitually mounted. The staff
of an officer forms in single rank 3 paces in rear of him, the right of the
rank extending 1 pace to the right of a point directly in rear of him.
Members of the staff are arranged in order from right to left as follows:
General staff officers, adjutant, aids, other staff officers, arranged in
each classification in order of rank, the senior on the right. The flag of
the general officer and the orderlies are 3 paces in rear of the staff, the
flag on the right. When necessary to reduce the front of the staff and
orderlies, each line executes twos right or fours right, as explained in
the Cavalry Drill Regulations, and follows the commander.
When not otherwise prescribed, staff officers draw and return saber
with their chief.
25. In making the about, an officer, mounted, habitually turns to the
left.
When the commander faces to give commands, the staff, flag, and
orderlies do not change position.
26. When making or receiving official reports, or on meeting out of
doors, all officers will salute.
Military courtesy requires the junior to salute first, but when the salute
is introductory to a report made at a military ceremony or formation, to
the representative of a common superior (as, for example, to the
adjutant, officer of the day, etc.), the officer making the report,
whatever his rank, will salute first; the officer to whom the report is
made will acknowledge by saluting that he has received and understood
the report.
(C.I.D.R., Nos. 6 and 17.)
27. For ceremonies, all mounted enlisted men of a regiment or smaller
unit, except those belonging to the machine-gun organizations, are

consolidated into a detachment; the senior present commands if no
officer is in charge. The detachment is formed as a platoon or squad of
cavalry in line or column of fours; noncommissioned staff officers are
on the right or in the leading ranks.
28. For ceremonies, such of the noncommissioned staff officers as are
dismounted are formed 5 paces in rear of the color, in order of rank
from right to left. In column of squads they march as file closers.
29. Other than for ceremonies, noncommissioned staff officers and
orderlies accompany their immediate chiefs unless otherwise directed.
If