Military Instructors Manual by James P. Cole and Oliver Schoonmaker

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WHAT RANGE ARE YOU USING? OR WHAT IS THE RANGE?--Extend the arms
toward the person addressed, one hand open, palm to the front, resting
on the other hand, fist closed.

ARE YOU READY? OR I AM READY.--Raise the hand, fingers extended and
joined, palm toward the person addressed.

COMMENCE FIRING.--Move the arm extended in full length, hand palm
down, several times through a horizontal arc in front of the body.

FIRE FASTER.--Execute rapidly the signal "COMMENCE FIRING."

FIRE SLOWER.--Execute slowly the signal "COMMENCE FIRING."

TO SWING THE CONE OF FIRE TO THE RIGHT, OR LEFT.--Extend the arm in
full length to the front, palm to the right (left); swing the arm to
right (left), and point in the direction of the new target.

FIX BAYONET.--Simulate the movement of the right hand in "Fix
Bayonet."

SUSPEND FIRING.--Raise and hold the forearm steadily in a horizontal
position in front of the forehead, palm of the hand to the front.

CEASE FIRING.--Raise the forearm as in _suspend firing_ and swing it
up and down several times in front of the face.

PLATOON.--Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader;
describe small circles with the hand.

SQUAD.--Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader; swing
the hand, up and down from the wrist.

RUSH.--Same as _double time_.

The signals PLATOON and SQUAD are intended primarily for communication
between the captain and his platoon leaders. The signal PLATOON or
SQUAD indicates that the platoon commander is to cause the signal
which follows to be executed by platoon or squad.

CHAPTER 12.

Guard Duty.

Time spent: Study, 2 hours.
Conference, 2 hours.
Formal guard mounting.

Guards are divided roughly into four classes:
1. Exterior--(Which come more properly under head of field service).
2. Interior--Their purpose is to preserve order, protect property
and enforce police regulations.
3. Military Police--Also treated of in field service.
4. Provost Guards--Used in the absence of military police to aid
civil authorities in preserving order among soldiers beyond the
interior guard.

Here we are concerned chiefly with interior guards. We shall make up a
brief summary of what an officer must know and what he ought to teach
his non-coms. and men. Also we shall touch upon the subject of guard
duty as it has been changed by trench warfare.

An officer ought to have a good grasp of the following subjects
relative to guard duty:
1. Guard mounting (both formal and informal).
2. Posting reliefs.
3. Preparation and running of rosters.
4. General orders--also special orders at post No. 1.
5. Duties of the following in reference to guard duty:
1. Commanding officer.
2. Officer of the day.
3. Adjutant.
4. Sergeant Major.
5. Commander of the guard.
6. Sergeant of the guard.
7. Corporal of the guard.
8. Musicians.
9. Orderlies and color sentinels.
10. Privates of the guard.
6. Compliments of the guard.
7. Prisoners: General.
Garrison.
Awaiting trial.
Awaiting result of trial.

How is an officer arrested? Can an enlisted man arrest him?
How is a non-com. arrested?
How is a soldier arrested?
How is a civilian arrested?
(See a.w. No. 68.)

An officer ought to-teach to his non-coms. as much of the above as is
consistent with time and other demands; he ought to teach to his
privates all that is necessary to the proper discharge of their duties
in this connection.

FORMAL GUARD MOUNTING.--Here follow a few reminders that may help the
reader to keep the ceremony in mind:

1. Weather conditions permitting, guard mounting takes place every day
at the discretion of the C.O.

2. Tour of duty is 24 hours; there are 3 reliefs, 2 hours on and 4
hours off. No organization is detailed for guard duty more than once
in 5 days if this can be prevented.

CEREMONY.--1. The band takes post, its left 12 paces to the right of
where the right of the guard is to be.

2. Adjutant's Call.--The Adjutant marches to the parade ground
(Sergeant Major on his left) and takes post 12 paces in front of and
facing the center of where the guard is to rest. The Sergeant Major
continues on, marches by the left flank and takes post 12 paces to the
left of the band and facing in the direction the line is to extend.

3. The details are marched to the parade ground by the senior
non-commissioned officers, halted and dressed as follows:

FIRST DETAIL.--Non-commissioned officer.--1. Detail; 2. Halt. The
detail is halted against the left arm of the Sergeant Major; the
non-commissioned officer steps out, faces the Sergeant Major at a
distance slightly greater than the front of the detail and commands:
1. Right; 2. Dress. The detail dresses on the line formed by the
Sergeant Major and the Commander of the detail. 3. Front. The
Commander of the detail salutes and reports: "The detail is correct"
(or otherwise). When the report is made the Sergeant Major returns the
salute. The Commander of the detail passes by the right of the guard
and takes post in rear of the right file of his detail.

OTHER DETAILS.--Non-commissioned officers.--1. Detail; 2. Halt; 3.
Right; 4. Dress; 5. Front. Each commander of a detail halts his
detail, dresses it on the general line, salutes and reports as does
the first; then takes his post in a similar manner. Should the
commander of a detail not be a non-commissioned officer he passes by
the right of the guard and retires.

4. SERGEANT MAJOR.--He takes one step to the right, draws sword and
verifies the detail, and then commands: "Count off." He completes the
last squad if necessary and indicates the division into platoons: then
takes his post and commands: 1. Open ranks; 2. March. This is executed
as laid down in the Infantry Drill Regulations. 3. Front. He then
moves parallel to the front rank until opposite the center, turns to
the right, halts half-way to the Adjutant, salutes and reports: "Sir,
the details are correct" (or otherwise).

5. ADJUTANT: "Take your post." (Adjutant draws saber.)

6. SERGEANT MAJOR.--Faces about, approaches to within two paces of the
center of the guard, turns; to the right and moves three paces beyond
the left of the guard, turns to the left, halts on the line of the
front rank, faces about and brings his sword to the order. (When the
Sergeant Major has reported the Officer of the Guard takes his post,
as shown in the diagram, and draws saber.)

7. ADJUTANT.--1. Officer (officers) and non-commissioned officers; 2.
Front and center; 3. March. At "Center" the officer carries saber; at
"March" the officer advances and halts 3 paces from the Adjutant,
remaining at the carry; non-commissioned officers pass by the flank,
move along the front and form in order of rank from right to left, 3
paces behind the officer, remaining at the right shoulder. If there is
no officer of the guard the non-commissioned officers halt 3 paces
from the Adjutant. The Adjutant assigns them to their positions in
order of rank--commander of the guard; leader of the first platoon;
leader of the second platoon, etc., and commands: 1. Officer
(officers) and non-commissioned officers; 2. Posts; 3. March. At the
command "March" they take their posts as prescribed in the School of
the Company with open ranks (Platoon leaders 3 paces in front of
center of their platoons).

8. ADJUTANT: "Inspect your guard, sir."

9. OFFICER OF THE GUARD.--Faces about and commands: "Prepare for
inspection."

10. ADJUTANT (after the inspection is ended, and after posting himself
30 paces in front of and facing center of the guard--at the same time
the new Officer of the Day takes position about 30 paces behind the
Adjutant, facing the guard, and with the old officer of the day 1 pace
in rear and 3 paces to the right): 1. Parade; 2. Rest; 3. Sound off.
(The band, playing passes in front of the Officer of the Guard to the
left of the line, returns to its post and ceases to play.) 1. Guard;
2. Attention; 3. Close ranks; 4. March. (As in the School of the
Company.) 1. Present; 2. Arms. He then faces the new officer of the
day, salutes, and reports: "Sir, the guard is formed."

11. NEW OFFICER OF THE DAY (returning salute): "March the guard in
review, sir."

12. ADJUTANT.--He carries saber, faces about, brings the guard to the
order and commands: "1. At trail, platoons right; 2. March; 3. Guard;
4. Halt." The band takes post 12 paces in front of the first platoon,
the Adjutant 6 paces from the flank and abreast of the Commander of
the Guard, and the Sergeant Major 6 paces from the flank of the second
platoon. Adjutant commands: "1. Pass in review; 2. Forward; 3. March."

13. COMMANDER OF THE GUARD (as the guard reaches a position 6 paces
from the Officer of the Day): 1. Eyes; 2. Right; (at 6 paces beyond
the Officer of the Day) 3. Front.

At 12 paces beyond the Officer of the Day the Adjutant and the
Sergeant-Major halt, salute and retire.

14. COMMANDER OF THE GUARD (as the Adjutant and the Sergeant Major
retire): 1. Platoons, right by squads; 2. March. The guard is then
marched to its post; the old guard is then relieved and sentinels
posted according to the principles laid down in the Manual of Interior
Guard Duty. (See diagrams at the end of this chapter.)

GUARD DUTY IN THE TRENCHES.--It differs from guard duty as we are
accustomed to it. The challenge is not "Who is there?" but rather a
sudden and imperative "Hands up." The party challenged throws up his
hands and gives the countersign in a low voice. Sentinels are posted
in the front line and in the line of dugouts, one at each entrance to
a dugout to give immediate warning. Watchers are posted at places
having a good range of view; at night they keep watch over the
parapets rather than through the loopholes since the latter afford
only a narrow range of view. Auto riflemen (6 or 7 to a post) are used
as watchers, one being on duty at a time. They should have a favorable
background to provide concealment.

[Illustration: Plate 14]

[Illustration: Plate 14A.]

CHAPTER 13.

Company Administration.

Company administration is a very broad subject and can be really
learned only by experience. However, this chapter will attempt to
point out a few suggestions and practices that may prove of some
assistance, particularly to the new officer. We shall treat briefly of
the first organization of the company; then we shall try to reproduce
in some slight measure the actual work of a day in camp (more
particularly of a training camp such as Plattsburg); then finally we
shall treat of the orderly room and some of the problems that come up
in army paper work.

Notes on Organization.

(By MAJOR W.H. WALDRON, Twenty-Ninth Infantry.)

1. PREPARE IN ADVANCE TO RECEIVE MEN ASSIGNED TO COMPANY.

(a) Detail one of the Lieutenants in charge of the company mess.

DUTIES.--Secure the necessary kitchen and dining room equipment and
prepare everything to start the mess; make up a bill-of-fare for a
week based on the ration components and supplies available; secure the
rations and issue them to the cooks daily. Train a mess Sergeant in
the duties that fall to him. In fine, this Lieutenant will have
complete charge of the company mess, the cooking, and serving of the
meals, training of cooks and men detailed for duty in connection with
the mess.

(b) Detail the other Lieutenant in charge of property.

DUTIES.--Procure all the articles of individual and company equipment
from the Regimental Supply Officer. Get into the company storeroom and
prepare it for issue. Train the Company Supply Sergeant in the duties
that will fall to him.

(c) This leaves the Company Commander free to organize the orderly
room and make the necessary preparations to receive the men as they
report.

IF IN CANTONMENT.--Lay out the quarters into platoon sections and
subdivide these into squads, allowing space for platoon leaders and
guides. Starting at the end of the quarters plainly mark each squad
section, 8 beds, four on each side of the aisle with the number of the
squad--first squad, second squad, etc.

IF IN TENTS.--Number the tents, one for each squad, leaving two tents
in the center for platoon leaders, guides, etc. Prepare a sheet having
a space for each squad, large enough to enter eight names in it.
Prepare a measuring post where the men can be measured for height as
they report.

2. MEN REPORTING:

(a) When the men arrive they will be sent to Regimental Headquarters
direct. There they will receive their assignment to a company. When so
assigned they will be directed to join the company.

(b) A table on which is spread the squad assignment sheet is located
at the head of the company street. Nearby is located the measuring
post. When a man reports, look him over, receive him in the company,
make him feel at home. Make him feel that he is welcome. This little
act will pay you large dividends in contentment and company _esprit de
corps_ later on. Turn him over to the man in charge of the measuring
post to get his height. Assign him to a squad corresponding to his
height. Enter his name in the squad space to which he is assigned and
send him to the section of the cantonment designated for that
particular squad. Detail a few of the first men who report for duty to
assist in this work.

Say you have 16 squads. They will run in height about as follows:

1st squad, over 6 feet; 2nd, 6 feet; 3rd, 6 feet; 4th, 5 feet 11
inches; 5th, 5 feet 11 inches; 6th, 5 feet 10 inches; 7th, 5 feet 10
inches; 8th, 5 feet 9 inches; 9th, 5 feet 9 inches; 10th, 5 feet 8
inches; 11th, 5 feet 8 inches; 12th, 5 feet 7 inches; 13th, 5 feet 7
inches; 14th, 5 feet 6 inches; 15th, 5 feet 6 inches; 16th, 5 feet 5
inches. If there are more squads put them in the 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 9
inches class.

(c) As soon as practicable place one member of the squad in charge for
the ensuing 24 hours, change this detail every day until every man of
the squad has had an opportunity to demonstrate his ability. This will
assist you greatly in the selection of your non-commissioned officers.

(d) Should the entire company be assigned in a body, line them up in a
row according to height and assign them to squads. Place the most
likely looking man in each squad in charge for the time being.

3. ISSUE OF EQUIPMENT:

(a) The articles of camp equipment, bedding and poncho should be
issued as soon as practicable. These are necessary for the immediate
comfort of the men.

(b) Hold the articles of personal equipment for issue later on. Do not
dump the entire equipment on a man all at once. There is nine-tenths
of it that he knows nothing about. He does not know what it is for. As
the training progresses you can issue it to him, an article or two at
a time until he has finally gotten all of it. Before issuing an
article, explain at a company formation, what it is for, the purpose
it serves and where it is carried.

(c) Uniforms and clothing should be procured as soon as practicable.
The commanding officer will indicate whether or not the clothing will
be requisitioned for in bulk or on individual clothing slips. The
supply officer will provide a quartermaster publication which shows
the sizes of clothing by the numbers. Seek out a couple of tailors in
the company, have them measure the men and make a record of the sizes
of clothing that they require. Shoes will have to be fitted to each
man. Make them large enough. The average recruit will want to wear a
shoe at least one size too small for him. When he gets the pack on and
drags it around all day his feet will swell and fill his small shoes
to the bursting point. Do not let the men decide what size shoes they
will wear; you decide it for them and make them plenty big. This work
of measuring the men can be started right out the first day. The
captain that gets in his requisition first, properly made out, will be
the first to get his clothing.

4. ORGANIZATION:

(a) As soon as practicable get the company organized into permanent
squads. Try out squad leaders for a few days. You will soon be able to
select the men that you will want for non-commissioned officers. Be
careful in their selection so that you will not have to make many
changes. Don't be in too much of a hurry about making sergeants; try
them out as corporals first. Try to get a good man and start him in as
mess sergeant. A man with hotel experience, especially the kitchen and
dining room end of the business, give him a trial. Your lieutenant in
charge of the mess can tell in a day or two how he stacks up. Make it
plain that the men detailed from day to day are merely acting
non-commissioned officers and that you are merely placing them in
charge to give them an opportunity to demonstrate their ability. It's
better to work this proposition out in a systematic manner than it is
to jump in and make a lot of non-commissioned officers that you will
have to break later on to make way for better men.

Give your acting non-commissioned officers all the responsibility you
can. Assign tasks with their squads and see how they get away with it.

(b) At one of the first formations explain the rules of camp
sanitation and personal cleanliness and the necessity for their strict
observance.

(c) Start right out with a system of rigid inspections so that the men
will acquire habits of cleanliness and tidiness of their surroundings.
Once this is acquired it is easily maintained. The reverse of this
statement is equally true. Let a company get started in a slovenly,
untidy manner and it is difficult to get it back on the right track
again.

(d) As soon as uniforms are issued have every man dispose of his
civilian clothing, dress suit cases, trunks, etc. There is no place
for them in the cantonments or tents. Strip right down to uniforms and
allow no civilian clothing around.

(e) Before issuing rifles provide places for their safe keeping in
cantonments. If wooden trunks are used, a wire staple driven into the
upright of the bed at the height of the slacking swivel forms an
excellent support; simply hook the slacking swivel into the staple.

(f) Get every man interested in the company. Be personally interested
in every man yourself. Do not permit any swearing at the men or around
the barracks. Explain the idea of military courtesy and the salute and
insist on its being carried out at all times. By doing all of these
things and systematizing your work of training and instruction right
from the start you lay the foundation for a "good company." Fifteen
good companies make a "good regiment" and so on up to the division,
and that's what we want "good divisions"--the basis of which lies in
the "good company" which you are going to command.

DAY'S ROUTINE.--The day's routine will soon develop and cannot be a
stereotyped thing. It will be determined to a large extent by local
conditions. But in all training camps some such model as the
following will no doubt be followed:

REVEILLE:
First call, 5.30 a.m.
March, 5.40 a.m.
Assembly, 5.45 a.m.

At first call the non-commissioned officer in charge of quarters, or
some other charged with that duty, will go through the barracks and
awaken the men. After a short time this may be dispensed with.

MESS:
First call (followed by mess call), 5.55 a.m.
Assembly, 6.00 a.m.

Allow the men approximately 20 minutes for breakfast and the privilege
of returning individually--this for purposes of attending to the calls
of nature.

SICK CALL, 6.30 a.m.--Have the non-commissioned officer in charge of
quarters put through this call; the sick will report to the orderly
room, be entered on the sick report and marched to the hospital by the
same non-commissioned officer. All men answering sick call should be
questioned as to the nature of their trouble and its cause; men who
are trying to dodge work should be caught up with. Care should be
exercised in making out the sick report; be careful what you put on it
and where you put it. The sick report will be treated further under
"Paper Work."

MORNING INSTRUCTION:
First call, 6.50 a.m.
Assembly, 7.00 a.m.
Recall, 12.00 m.

Utilize this time according to the schedule laid down by higher
authorities. It will no doubt be insisted that the schedule be closely
adhered to; but this can be done without completely destroying
individual initiative.

MESS:
First call (followed by mess call), 12.10 p.m.
Assembly, 12.15 p.m.

Allow 30 minutes for noon mess. The men may not consume it all; but
judgment must be used in this matter. After mess have the company
formed and marched back to barracks. This plan should be followed for
a time, at least, particularly with "green" men purely for
disciplinary purposes.

AFTERNOON INSTRUCTION:
First call, 1.20 p.m.
Assembly, 1.30 p.m.
Recall, 4,30 p.m.

Same general procedure as for morning work.

SICK CALL, 4.45 p.m.--When the sick report is sent to the hospital in
the afternoon, it is customary to make a new entry for all men who are
in the hospital. In this way a running account is kept and quickly
referred to without running all through the book.

The time from recall to retreat at 5.30 or thereabouts can usually be
used to advantage in cleaning up and getting ready for this ceremony.

RETREAT.--(Formal--on the parade grounds).
First call, 5.30 p.m.
Assembly, 5.35 p.m.
Retreat, 5.50 p.m.

MESS:
First call, followed by mess call, 6.00 p.m.
Assembly, 6.05 p.m.

SCHOOL CALL (except Saturdays), 7.00 p.m.
TATTOO, 9.00 p.m.
CALL TO QUARTERS, 9.30 p.m.
TAPS, 9.45 p.m.

At taps lights should be out and absolute quiet should prevail. This
rule should be insisted upon from the very beginning of the training
period. A check roll call is often taken at taps and the company
reported to the Officer of the Day. Likewise, the company is reported
to the Officer of the Day at reveille, retreat and mess formations;
however, these things are determined entirely by local conditions.

SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.--Calls are 1/2 hour later, except retreat,
tattoo, call to quarters and taps. In case an entertainment is given
on the post, taps usually follow its close by a half hour.

DETAILS for any day should be published at retreat formation the day
previous; bulletins and notices should also be published to the
company at this formation.

PAPER WORK.--Paper work in the Army is generally viewed askance. A
certain amount of it is absolutely necessary, but the amount can be
reduced by careful attention to the way in which the work is done. A
good first sergeant and a good company clerk will take a load of
trouble off the shoulders of the company commander in this respect;
but usually these men must be trained. Instructions on the blank forms
should be carefully read the first time a certain paper is made out.
Attend to all paper work promptly and make a note of anything that
cannot be handled immediately. Do not let anything get into the
company files until it has been O.K'd. by the company commander or
initialed by the officers. Have a basket for the company commander and
one for the other officers where they may expect to find matters that
are of interest to them. Get reports, requisitions and other papers in
on time. Do not wait until they are called for. Establish a daily, as
well as a monthly, system of doing things in the orderly room and then
stick to it as nearly as possible. Have a file for:

1. General orders, post and W.D.
2. Special orders.
3. Memorandums, bulletins and notices may be included under this
head.
4. Company orders.
5. Document file (copies of letters, etc.).

The needs for files will be determined largely by local conditions.
The point is to have things where they can be found readily under an
appropriate heading; and to have them accessible to others besides the
company clerk. Keep a copy of everything, as nearly as possible, but
do not clutter up your company files with unimportant items. Keep your
orderly room looking as neat as possible.

MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE.--A very important feature of Army Paper Work.
Neatness, brevity and clarity are to be sought--ceremonial forms are
avoided.

References to Army Regulations: Paragraphs 225, 512, 776, 778, 779,
780, 786, 789, 790, 822 (g.o. 23 w.d.).

A letter consists of three parts; heading, body and signature. The
heading consists of designation of the command, place and date, all
placed in the upper right-hand corner. At the left, and with a margin
of about an inch, should be:

From:

To:

Subject:

A double space should be left between these lines.

The body should be divided into numbered paragraphs, each paragraph
treating of but one topic. The lines should be single-spaced, but a
double space should be left between the paragraphs. The signature
should be made without any unnecessary forms.

Any good treatise on this subject will show the proper forms for a
military letter.

Indorsements follow the signature in succession on the same page or on
added pages. They are very brief, follow a prescribed form and, if
necessary, are paragraphed in the same way as the letter. Letters
should be made in three, four, five or six copies, according to
destination. They should always be handled through military channels;
time will be lost if you try to dodge it.

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