Appendix H
Mounted Drill
This appendix contains the procedures for the orderly formation and movement of vehicles during drill and ceremonies for motorized and mechanized units. When necessary, the procedures may be modified to conform to local conditions.
H-1. Motorized and mechanized units, when dismounted, conduct drill and ceremonies in the same manner as prescribed for Infantry units. The COT has the same responsibilities as well.
H-2. When mounted in vehicles, visible troops sit at Attention. Those armed with a rifle place the butt of the weapon alongside the right foot in the same manner as Order Arms, with the weapon vertical and parallel to the calf of the leg. Grasp the weapon with the right hand so that the right forearm is horizontal. Visible troops not armed with a rifle, fold their arms (right over the left) and raise the elbows so that the upper arms are horizontal.
H-3. When marching units and motorized and/or mechanized units take part in the same ceremony, the units form dismounted (in a formation corresponding to the marching units) with their vehicles to the rear. On the directive PASS IN REVIEW, the commander faces about and directs at your vehicles, FALL IN or MOUNT (LOAD) YOUR VEHICLES. Subordinate commanders and leaders, in sequence from right to left, command At your vehicles, FALL IN (MOUNT YOUR VEHICLES) and all vehicle members double-time to their vehicle. On the signal to mount, they mount their vehicle. Drivers observe their commander or leader for the signal to start engines.
H-4. The formations for motorized and mechanized units are basically the same as for Infantry units. The interval between vehicles is about five steps. The distance is about 10 steps between vehicles one behind the other. Mass formations may be used for ceremonies or instruction by companies or larger units:
Column. In this formation, the vehicles are placed one behind the other, and the right edges of the vehicles are aligned.
Line. In this formation, vehicles are abreast, and the front edges of the vehicles are aligned.
Mass. A unit formed with two or more columns abreast constitutes a mass. Masses may be grouped as follows:
Line of masses. Masses abreast with 10-step intervals (see figure H-1 on page H-2).
Column of masses. Masses placed one behind another with 10-step intervals between companies (see figure H-2 on page H-3).
Line of battalions in line of masses. Battalions in line of masses abreast with 20-step intervals between battalions.
Line of battalions in column of masses. Battalions in column of masses abreast with 20-step intervals between battalions.
Column of battalions in line of masses. Battalions in line of masses, placed one behind another, with 20-step intervals between battalions.
Column of battalions in columns of masses. Battalions in column of masses, placed one behind another, with 20-step intervals between battalions.
Figure H-1. Armor battalions, line of mass with vehicles in mass formation
Figure H-2. Column of masses
H-5. Personnel form at the vehicles before mounting using the following procedures:
To form at the vehicles from any formation, the command is At your vehicles, FALL IN. At the command FALL IN, the Soldiers move (double-time) to their assigned vehicles and form as shown in figure H-3 on page H-4. When there are more than five Soldiers, they form two or three ranks with normal distance. When there are more than 15 Soldiers, the number of Soldiers per rank may be increased. (Artillery sections form as prescribed in service-of-the-piece manuals.)
To load, the command is Load, VEHICLES. On the command of execution VEHICLES, each Soldier double-times and forms at their vehicle (as previously described).
Figure H-3. Formation at the vehicle
H-6. Execute the following actions to move vehicles:
To move forward, the commander gives the warning signal FORWARD, and their vehicle moves out. The other vehicles move forward at the designated distance. They are aligned on the base vehicle (right).
To halt, the commander signals HALT. The driver then slows down and halts the commander’s vehicle. The other vehicles close to the prescribed distance and halt.
To change the direction of travel of mass formation, the commander gives the appropriate signal. On the commander’s signal, the base vehicle turns 90 degrees and slows. Other vehicles turn about 45 degrees and continue traveling in an arc at normal speed until on line with the base vehicle. As the vehicles form on line, the base vehicle accelerates as necessary to maintain correct distance on the commander.
To change a line formation to a column formation, the commander signals for a column. The base vehicle, and those directly behind it, move forward. Other vehicles move at a 45-degree angle until in line with the lead vehicle and then execute a 45-degree turn.
To change a column formation to a line formation, the commander signals a line formation. The base (right flank vehicle) stops and all other vehicles turn at a 45-degree angle, turn again at a 45-degree angle when the prescribed interval is obtained, and then halt when on line with the base vehicle.
H-7. Motorized and mechanized units conduct ceremonies as close as possible to the procedures prescribed for other units. They may participate (exactly as prescribed for marching units) as a dismounted unit, and on the directive PASS IN REVIEW, mount their vehicles and pass in review mounted. When desired, motorized and mechanized units may position their vehicles in a prescribed formation and remain mounted throughout the ceremony.
