Chapter 6
Squad Drill
“The [Soldiers] must learn to keep their ranks, to obey words of command, and signals by drum and trumpet, and to observe good order, whether they halt, advance, retreat, are upon a march, or engaged with an enemy.”
Niccolo Machiavelli: Arte della Guerra, 1520
Section 1
Formations and Movements
6-1. This section describes the formations and movements of a squad. Individual drill movements and the manual of arms are executed, as previously described in chapters 4 and 5, while performing as a squad member.
Section 2
Stack and Take Arms
(M4 Series Carbine)
6-29. The squad members execute Stack and Take Arms from their positions in line formation (at Normal Interval) from Order Arms. When in line formation, the squad leader commands Count, OFF and then designates the stack person by numbers (for example, 2-5-8).
Note: 1. M4-series carbines are not compatible with the M16-series rifles when stacking arms. The two types of weapons must be stacked separately or grounded in a manner that will not damage the sights. (See appendix C for a detailed explanation of Stack Arms and Take Arms for the M14-series rifle.)
2. When the squad is part of a larger unit, stack arms may be executed in a column formation (when the formation consists of three or more files and the squads are at normal interval). Second or third squad is designated as the stack squad.
