Aligning the Platoon in a Line Formation
STEP I
1. Instructional Formation, MARCH. AT EASE. The next movement, which I will name, explain, have demonstrated, and which you will conduct practical work on, is aligning the platoon in a line formation.
2. This movement is used to align several elements along the same line.
3. The commands for this movement are Dress Right, DRESS and Ready, FRONT.
4. Dress Right, DRESS and Ready, FRONT are two-part commands, Dress Right, and Ready are the preparatory commands and DRESS and FRONT are the commands of execution.
5. When given, these commands are as follows: Dress Right, DRESS. Ready, FRONT.
STEP II
6. Demonstrators, POST. I will use the talk-through method of instruction.
7. The platoon is aligned in basically the same manner as the squad. On the command of execution DRESS of Dress Right, DRESS, the first squad leader stands fast and serves as the base. Other squad leaders obtain correct distance by estimation.
8. The members of the first squad execute in the same manner as in squad drill to obtain exact interval. All other squads execute as the first squad, except that each squad member raises the left arm only for uniformity, actually covering (by glancing out the corner of the left eye) on the man to their front.
9. If the platoon leader wants exact alignment, on the command of execution DRESS, of Dress Right, DRESS, he faces to the half left (half right) in marching and marches by the most direct route to a position on line with the first squad, halts one step from the squad leader or left flank man, and faces down the line.
10. From this position, he verifies the alignment of the first squad, directing the men to move forward or backward, as necessary, calling them by name or number.
11. The platoon leader remains at attention, taking short steps to the right or left as necessary, to see down the squad. Having aligned the first squad, the platoon leader, after centering himself on the first squad, faces to the left (right) as in marching, taking two (three if at open ranks) short steps to the next squad, halts, faces down the line, and aligns the squad in the same manner.
12. After the last squad is aligned, the platoon leader centers himself on the squad leader by taking short steps left or right, faces to the right (left) as in marching, returns to his position centered on the platoon, halts perpendicular to the formation, faces to the left (Right), and commands Ready, FRONT.
13. On the command of execution FRONT of Ready, FRONT, each member returns sharply to the position of attention.
14. NOTE: When the platoon dresses as part of a larger formation, all squad leaders glance to the right and align themselves on the unit to their right. The platoon leader aligns the platoon from the left flank rather than from the right flank when his platoon is not formed as the right flank platoon.
15. At normal cadence, this movement would look as follows: Dress Right, DRESS. Ready, FRONT. AT EASE.
16. What are your questions pertaining to this movement when executed at normal cadence or using the talk-through method of instrcution?
17. Demonstrators, ATTENTION. You will now become my assistant instructors. FALL OUT.
STEP III
18. FALL IN. I will use the talk-through method of instruction.
