Tiger Battalion LET Manual - Section 1 - Formations and Movements

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.

Basic Information

6-2. The squad has two prescribed formations—line and column. However, the squad may be formed into a column of twos from a column formation. When the squad is in line, squad members are numbered from right to left; when in column, from front to rear. The squad normally marches in column, but for short distances it may march in line.

6-3. When the squad drills as a separate unit, the squad leader carries their weapon at Sling Arms. When the squad is in a line formation, the squad leader assumes a post three steps in front of and centered on the squad; when in a column or a column of twos, three steps to the left and centered on the squad. When the squad drills as part of a larger unit, the squad leader occupies the number one (base) position of the squad. Squad leaders carry their weapon in the same manner as prescribed for other rifle bearers in the squad

Forming the Squad

6-4. The squad normally forms in a line formation; however, it may re-form in column when each member can identify their exact position (equipment grounded) in the formation (see figure 6-1 on page 6-3).

6-5. To form at normal interval, the squad leader comes to the Position of Attention and commands FALL IN. On the command FALL IN, the following actions occur simultaneously:

Each member double-times to their position in the formation.
The right flank Soldier positions themselves so that when the squad is formed it is three steps in front of and centered on the squad leader.
The right flank Soldier comes to the Position of Attention and raises their left arm laterally at shoulder level, elbow locked, fingers and thumb extended and joined, and palm facing down. They ensure that the left arm is in line with the body.
The Soldier to the immediate left of the right flank Soldier comes to the Position of Attention, turns their head and eyes to the right, and raises their left arm in the same manner as the right flank Soldier. They obtain proper alignment by taking short steps forward or backward until they are on line with the Soldiers on their right flank. They then obtain exact interval by taking short steps left or right until their shoulder touches the extended fingertips of the Soldier on their right flank. As soon as the Soldier to the left has obtained equal interval, each Soldier individually lowers their arm to their side, sharply turns their head and eyes to the front, and assumes the Psition of Attention.
The right flank Soldier then sharply returns to the Position of Attention.
All other members of the squad form in the same manner except that the Soldiers on the left flank do not raise their left arm.

Not: Right flank Soldiers raise their arms and look straight to the front unless the squad is to align on an element to its right. If they are to align on an element to the right, they turn their head and eyes to the right and align themselves with that element.

6-6. To form at Close Interval, the formation is completed in the manner prescribed for Normal Interval, except that the command is At Close Interval, FALL IN as seen in figure 6-1. Squad members obtain Close Interval by placing the heel of the left hand on the left hip even with the waist, fingers and thumb joined and extended downward, and with the elbow in line with the body and touching the arm of the Soldier to the left as seen in figure 6-3 on page 6-6.

6-7. To form in column, the squad leader faces the proposed flank of the column and commands In Column, FALL IN. On the command of execution FALL IN, squad members double-time to their original positions (grounded equipment) in formation and cover on the Soldier to their front.

Note: The correct distance between Soldiers in column formation is approximately 36 inches. This distance is one-arm’s length plus 6 inches.

6-8. When armed, squad members fall in at Order Arms or Sling Arms. For safety, the commands Inspection, ARMS; Ready, Port, ARMS; and Order (Sling), ARMS are commanded at the initial formation of the day or when the last command is DISMISSED.

Figure 6-1. Squad formation

Counting Off

6-9. The squad may count off in line or column formation. The command is Count, OFF

When the squad is in a line formation, the counting is executed from right to left. On the command of execution OFF, each member, except the Soldiers on the right flank, turns their head and eyes to the right, and the right flank Soldier counts off “ONE.” After the Soldier on the right counts off their number, the Soldier to their left counts off with the next higher number and simultaneously turns their head and eyes to the front. All the other members execute count off in the same manner until the entire squad has counted off
When the squad is in column formation, the counting is executed from front to rear. On the command of execution OFF, the Soldier at the head of the column turns their head and eyes to the right and counts over their shoulder, “ONE.” After counting off their number, they immediately come to the Position of Attention. All other members count their numbers in sequence in the same manner as the number one Soldier; the last Soldier in the file does not turn their head and eyes to the right.

Changing Interval While In Line

6-10. To change interval while in line, use the following procedures:

Note: To ensure that each member understands the number of steps to take, the squad leader should command Count, OFF before giving any commands that cause the squad to change interval. Members do not raise their arms when changing interva

6-11. To obtain Close Interval from Normal Interval, the command is Close Interval, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the Soldiers on the right flank (number one person) stands fast. All Soldiers to the left of the number one person execute Right Step March, take one step less than their number (for example, number five person takes four steps), and Halt

Note: The squad leader takes the correct number of steps to maintain their position of three steps in front of and centered on the squad.

6-12. To obtain Normal Interval from Close Interval, the command is Normal Interval, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the Soldiers on the right flank stands fast. All Soldiers to the left of number one person execute Left Step March, take one step less than their number (for example, the number nine person takes eight steps), and Halt.

6-13. To obtain Double Interval from Normal Interval, the command is Double Interval, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the Soldiers on the right flank stand fast. All Soldiers to the left of the number one person face to the left as in marching, take one 30-inch step less than their number (for example, number seven person takes six steps), Halt, and execute Right Face.

6-14. To obtain Normal Interval from Double Interval, the command is Normal Interval, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the Soldiers on the right flank stand fast. All Soldiers to the left of the number one person face to the right as in marching, take one 30-inch step less than their number (for example, number three person takes two steps), Halt, and execute Left Face.

Allignment

6-15. Soldiers align front-to-back by covering on the Soldier to their front and align side-to-side by dressing to the Soldier on their right. To cover, Soldiers position their heads, spines, and insides of the heels directly behind the corresponding locations of the Soldier in front of them. Soldiers dress by ensuring their shoulders are perpendicular to the direction of march and their insteps are in line with the Soldier to their front. Figure 6-2 shows Soldiers properly aligned at Normal Interval.

Figure 6-2. Proper alignment at normal interval

Aligning the Squad

6-16. To align the squad at Normal Interval, the commands are Dress Right, DRESS and Ready, FRONT. These commands are given only when armed Soldiers are at Order Arms or Sling Arms. On the command of execution DRESS, the Soldiers on the right flank stand fast. Each member, except the right flank person, turns their head and eyes to the right and aligns themselves with the person on their right. Each member, except the left flank person, extends their left arm laterally at shoulder level, elbow locked, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down. They ensure their left arm is in line with their body and position themselves by short steps right or left until their right shoulder touches the fingertips of the Soldier on their right. On the command of execution FRONT, each member returns sharply to the Position of Attention (see figure 6-3 on page 6-6).

Note: The squad leader commands the squad to the appropriate interval before giving the command for alignment.

Note: If the squad leader wants exact alignment, on the command of execution DRESS, they face to the Half Left in marching and march by the most direct route to a position on line with the squad, halt one step from the Soldiers on the right flank, and face down the line. From their position, they verify the alignment of the squad, directing the Soldiers to move forward or backward, as necessary, calling them by name or number: “Private Miller, forward 2 inches;” “Number eight, backward 4 inches.” The squad leader remains at attention, taking short steps to the right or left as necessary to see down the squad. Having aligned the squad, they center themselves on the right flank person by taking short steps left or right. The squad leader then faces to the Half Right in marching, returns to their position (center of the squad), halts perpendicular to the formation, faces to the left, and commands Ready, FRONT. These procedures also apply when aligning the squad at Close or Double Interval.

6-17. To align the squad at Close Interval, the commands are At Close Interval, Dress Right, DRESS and Ready, FRONT. The movement is executed in the same manner prescribed for alignment at Normal Interval except that the squad members obtain Close Interval (see figure 6-3, page 6-6).

6-18. To align the squad at Double Interval, the commands are At Double Interval, Dress Right, DRESS and Ready, FRONT. These commands are given only when the troops are unarmed or at Sling Arms. On the command of execution DRESS, each member (except the right flank Soldier) turns their head and eyes to the right and aligns themselves to the person to their right. At the same time, each member (except the right and left flank person) extends both arms and positions themselves by short steps right or left until their fingertips are touching the fingertips of the members on their right and left. (The right flank person raises their left arm; the left flank person raises their right arm.)

6-19. To align the squad in column, the commands are COVER and RE-COVER. On the command COVER, each member (except the number one person) raises their left arm to a horizontal position, elbow locked, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down, and obtains an arm’s length plus about 6 inches (from the fingertips) to the back of the Soldier to their front. At the same time, each Soldier aligns themselves directly behind the Soldier to their front. To resume the Position of Attention, the command RECOVER is given. On this command, each member sharply returns to the Position of Attention.

Figure 6-3. Alignment (close interval)

Marching The Squad

6-20. To march the squad, use the following procedures:

For short distances only, the squad may be marched forward while in a line formation.
When marching long distances, the squad is marched in column.
To form a column formation from a line formation, the command is Right, FACE.
When a column formation is originated from a line formation at Close Interval, the squad may be marched for short distances at the Half Step with less than correct distance. To obtain correct distance while marching with less than correct distance, the command is Extend, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the number one person takes one more 15-inch step and then steps off with a 30-inch step. Each squad member begins marching with a 30-inch step at the approximate point where the number one person stepped off, or as soon as correct distance has been obtained.
Note: See chapter 4 for more information on marching movements.

Changing the Direction of a Column

6-21. To change the direction of a column from the Halt, the command to start the squad in motion and simultaneously change the direction of march 90 or 45 degrees is Column Right (Left), MARCH or Column Half Right (Left), MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the lead person faces to the right (left) as in marching by pivoting to the right (left) on the ball of the right foot and steps off in the indicated direction taking a 30-inch step with the left foot and continues to march. The number two Soldier adjusts their step by lengthening or shortening as necessary to reach the approximate pivot point of the lead person. When they reach the approximate pivot point of the lead Soldier, they pivot to the right (left) on the ball of the lead foot taking a 30-inch step with the trail foot in the new direction. All other members step off with the left foot and continue to march forward taking 30-inch steps and execute in the same manner as the number two person in approximately the same place until the entire squad has executed the column movement.

6-22. To change the direction of march 90 or 45 degrees when marching, the preparatory command Column Right (Left) or Column Half Right (Half Left) is given as the foot (in the desired direction) strikes the marching surface. The command of execution MARCH is given the next time the foot in the desired direction strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, the lead person takes one additional step, pivots in the commanded direction as the pivot foot strikes the marching surface and continues to march in the new direction. Other members continue to march forward and execute the pivot as prescribed from the Halt.

6-23. To avoid an obstacle in the line of march, the squad leader directs INCLINE LEFT (RIGHT). The lead person inclines Left (Right) around the obstacle and resumes the original direction. All other members follow the lead person.

Marching to the Rear

6-24. The command Rear, MARCH is given to the squad to change the direction of the marching element 180 degrees, in a uniform manner. Just like in individual drill (see paragraph 4-20), this movement is executed while marching forward with a 30-inch step. To March to the Rear, the command Rear, MARCH is given as the right foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more step with the left foot, pivot 180 degrees to the right on the balls of both feet, and step off in the new direction taking a 30-inch step with the trail foot. Do not allow the arms to swing outward while turning.

Marching to the Flank

6-25. The squad may be marched to the flank (for short distances only) when marching in column. The command for this movement is Right (Left) Flank, MARCH. The preparatory command is given as the foot in the desired direction strikes the marching surface, and the command of execution is given the next time the foot in the desired direction strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, all members take one more step, pivot 90 degrees in the commanded direction on the ball of the lead foot, and step off in the new direction with the trailing foot. As the members begin to march in the new direction, they glance out of the corner of their right eye and dress to the right.

Forming a Column of Twos and Re-Forming

6-26. To form a column of twos and re-form, use the following procedures:

Forming a column of twos from a file is executed only from the Halt. The command is Column of Twos to the Right (Left), MARCH. On the preparatory command, the lead team leader commands STAND FAST. The trailing team leader commands Column Half Right (Left). On the command of execution MARCH, the trailing team leader executes a Column Half Right (Left), inclines to the left or right when the correct interval is obtained, and commands Mark time, MARCH and Team, HALT to Halt abreast of the lead team leader.
Forming a file from a column of twos is executed only from the Halt. The command is File from the Left (Right), MARCH. On the preparatory command, the lead team leader commands FORWARD. The trailing team leader commands STAND FAST. On the command of execution MARCH, the lead team marches forward. The trailing team leader commands Column Half Left (Right) when the second person from the rear of the lead team is abreast. They give the command MARCH when the last person of the lead team is abreast of them and their right foot strikes the marching surface. They then incline right or left to follow the lead team at the correct distance.

Note: Commands are given over the team leader’s right shoulder if the direction of movement is to the right or if the team is following an element to its right. Commands are given over the left shoulder if the direction of movement is to the left or if the team is following an element to its left.

Dissmising the Squad

6-27. The squad is dismissed with the members at Attention. With armed troops, the commands are Inspection, ARMS; Ready, Port, ARMS; Order (Sling), ARMS; and DISMISSED. With unarmed troops, the command is DISMISSED.

Note: Unless otherwise stated (by the person in charge in their instructions before the command DISMISSED), the command DISMISSED terminates only the formation, not the duty day.

6-28. The command Fall Out will only be used when an individual or individuals are being removed from the formation and the entire formation is not being dismissed. For example, Sergeant Jones, Fall Out or Third Squad, Fall Out. In this situation, the remainder of the formation would stay at the current configuration until the command Dress Right, Dress (At Close Interval, Dress Right, Dress) or Cover are given.

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