Chapter I: Infantry Drill Regulations

(To include Changes No. 20, Aug. 18, 1917.)

DEFINITIONS

(The numbers following the paragraphs are those of the Drill
Regulations, and references in the text to certain paragraph
numbers refer to these numbers and not to the numbers preceding
the paragraphs.)

(NOTE.--Company drills naturally become monotonous. The monotony,
however, can be greatly reduced by repeating the drills under
varying circumstances. In the manual of arms, for instance, the
company may be brought to open ranks and the officers and
sergeants directed to superintend the drill in the front and rear
ranks. As the men make mistakes they are fallen out and drilled
nearby by an officer or noncommissioned officer. Or, the company
may be divided into squads, each squad leader drilling his squad,
falling out the men as they make mistakes, the men thus fallen out
reporting to a designated officer or noncommissioned officer for
drill. The men who have drilled the longest in the different
squads are then formed into one squad and drilled and fallen out
in like manner. The variety thus introduced stimulates a spirit of
interest and rivalry that robs the drill of much of its monotony.

It is thought the instruction of a company in drill is best
attained by placing special stress on squad drill. The
noncommissioned officers should be thoroughly instructed,
practically and theoretically, by one of the company officers and
then be required to instruct their squads. The squads are then
united and drilled in the school of the company.--Author.)

DEFINITIONS

=24. Alignment:= A straight line upon which several elements are formed, or are to be formed; or the dressing of several elements upon a straight line.

NOTE.--The line A-B, on which a body of troops is formed or is to be formed, or the act of dressing a body of troops on the line, is called an alignment.--Author.]

=25. Base:= The element on which a movement is regulated.

=26. Battle sight:= The position of the rear sight when the leaf is laid down.

=27. Center:= The middle point or element of a command. (See Figs. 2, 3 and 5.) (The designation "center company," indicates the right center or the actual center company, according as the number of companies is even or odd.--Par. 298.)

=28. Column:= A formation in which the elements are placed one behind another. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6.)

=29. Deploy:= To extend the front. In general to change from column to line, or from close order to extended order.

=30. Depth:= The space from head to rear of any formation, including the leading and rear elements. The depth of a man is assumed to be 12 inches. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6.)

=31. Distance:= Space between elements in the direction of depth. Distance is measured from the back of the man in front to the breast of the man in rear. The distance between ranks is 40 inches in both line and column. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6.)

=32. Element:= A file, squad, platoon, company, or larger body, forming part of a still larger body.

=33. File:= Two men, the front-rank man and the corresponding man of the rear rank. The front-rank man is the file leader. A file which has no rear-rank man is a blank file. The term file applies also to a single man in a single-rank formation.

=34. File closers:= Such officers and noncommissioned officers of a company as are posted in rear of the line. For convenience, all men posted in the line of file closers.

=35. Flank:= The right or left of a command in line or in column; also the element on the right or left of the line. (See Figs. 2, 3 and 4.)

=36. Formation:= Arrangement of the elements of a command. The placing of all fractions in their order in line, in column, or for battle.

=37. Front:= The space, in width, occupied by an element, either in line or in column. The front of a man is assumed to be 22 inches. Front also denotes the direction of the enemy. (See Figs. 2, 3 and 5).

=38. Guide:= An officer, noncommissioned officer, or private upon whom the command or elements thereof regulates its march.

=39. Head:= The leading element of a column. (See Figs. 4, 5 and 6.)

=40. Interval:= Space between elements of the same line. The interval between men in ranks is 4 inches and is measured from elbow to elbow. Between companies, squads, etc., it is measured from the left elbow of the left man or guide of the group on the right, to the right elbow of the right man or guide of the group on the left. (See Fig. 3.)

=41. Left:= The left extremity or element of a body of troops.

=42. Line:= A formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other. (See Figs. 2 and 3.)

=43. Order, close:= The formation in which the units, in double rank, are arranged in line or in column with normal intervals and distances.

=44. Order, extended:= The formation in which the units are separated by intervals greater than in close order.

=45. Pace:= Thirty inches; the length of the full step in quick time.

=46. Point of rest:= The point at which a formation begins. Specifically, the point toward which units are aligned in successive movements.

=47. Rank:= A line of men placed side by side.

=48. Right:= The right extremity or element of a body of troops.

=49.= NOTE. In view of the fact that the word "Echelon" is a term of such common usage, the following definition is given: By echelon we mean a formation in which the subdivisions are placed one behind another, extending beyond and unmasking one another either wholly or in part.--Author.