The Plattsburg Manual | Page 8

time: 1. Right (left) step, 2. MARCH.
Carry and plant the right foot 15 inches to the right; bring the left foot
beside it and continue the movement in the cadence of quick time.
The side step is used for short distances only and is not executed in
double time.
If at order arms, the side step is executed at trail without command.

BACK STEP
Being at a halt or mark time: 1. Backward, 2. MARCH.
Take steps of 15 inches straight to the rear.
The back step is used for short distances only and is not executed in
double time.
If at order arms, the back step is executed at trail without command.

TO HALT
To arrest the march in quick or double time: 1. Squad, 2. HALT.
At the command halt, given as either foot strikes the ground, plant the
other foot as in marching; raise and place the first foot by the side of
the other. If in double time, drop the hands by the sides.

TO MARCH BY THE FLANK
Being in march: 1. By the right (left) flank, 2. MARCH.
[Illustration: No. 1 No. 2]
The command march must be given when the right foot is on the
ground as shown in No. 1. Then advance and plant the left foot and turn
on the toes to right as shown in No. 2, and step off with the right foot.

TO MARCH TO THE REAR
Being in march: 1. To the rear, 2. MARCH.
[Illustration: No. 1 No. 2]

At the command march, given as the right foot strikes the ground,
advance and plant the left foot; turn to the right about on the balls of
both feet and immediately step off with the left foot.
The turn is made on the toes as shown.
The command march must be given when the right foot is on the
ground. The left foot is then advanced to the position shown.
If marching in double time, turn to the right about, taking four steps in
place, keeping the cadence, and then step off with the left foot.

CHANGE STEP
Being in march; 1. Change step, 2. MARCH.
At the command march, given as the right foot strikes the ground,
advance and plant the left foot; plant the toe of the right foot near the
heel of the left and step off with the left foot.
The change on the right foot is similarly executed, the command march
being given as the left foot strikes the ground.

MANUAL OF ARMS
To acquire proficiency in the Manual of Arms, you should practice,
practice, and practice.
Position of order arms standing, i.e., the position of attention under
arms.
[Illustration: No. 1 No. 2 CORRECT POSITION]
No. 1. Arm and hands hang naturally. Right hand holding piece
between thumb and fingers. Butt rests evenly on ground. Barrel to the
rear.

No. 2. Toe of the butt on a line with toe of and touching the right shoe.
To execute the movements in detail, the instructor first cautions: "By
the Numbers"; all movements divided into motions, are then executed
singly. That is to say, make one motion and then wait until a further
command for another. This is for the purpose of correcting erroneous
positions and giving detailed instructions. We are explaining the
manual by the numbers.
[Illustration: FIRST POSITION OF PRESENT ARMS FROM ORDER
ARMS]
Being at order arms: 1. Present, 2. ARMS. It takes two counts.
At command arms, with the right hand carry the piece in front of the
center of the body. Barrel to the rear and vertical. Grasp it with left
hand at the balance. Left forearm is horizontal and rests against body.
The balance of the piece is approximately the position of the rear sight.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION OF PRESENT ARMS]
At command two, grasp the small of the stock with the right hand.
[Illustration: No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
INCORRECT POSITION OF PRESENT ARMS
These are the common errors made by beginners.]
No. 1. Thumb along barrel.
No. 2. Piece held too low. The front sight will be a little above the eyes
when the left fore arm is horizontal.
No. 3. Piece not vertical; too close to body.

Being at order arms: 1. Port, 2. ARMS. It takes one count.

[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION OF PORT ARMS]
At the command ARMS, with the right hand raise and throw the piece
diagonally across the body, grasp it smartly with both hands; the right;
palm down, at the small of stock; the left, palm up, at the balance;
barrel up, sloping to the left and crossing opposite the junction of the
neck with the left shoulder; right forearm horizontal; left forearm
resting against the body. The rifle is held in a vertical plane parallel