7-2. For the most part, platoon drill merely provides the procedures for executing drill movements in conjunction with other squads formed in the same formation. Individual drill movements and the manual of arms are executed, as previously described in chapters 4, 5, and 6, while performing as a squad member during the conduct of platoon drill. For continuity purposes in this chapter, “platoon sergeant” may also denote “platoon leader” when the platoon sergeant is executing drill from their post.
7-3. During all drill and ceremonies, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant carry their rifles at Sling Arms. When the platoon drills as part of a larger unit, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant remain at Sling Arms during all manual of arms movements except when executing the Hand Salute while at Sling Arms.
7-4. When the platoon drills as a separate unit or as part of a larger unit in a line formation, without officers present, the post for the platoon sergeant is three steps in front of and centered on the platoon. When in column formation, the post for the platoon sergeant is three steps to left flank of and centered on the platoon. The post for the platoon sergeant with the platoon leader present is one step to the rear and centered on the platoon in line or column formation.
7-5. When assuming their post in column from a line formation with the platoon leader present, the platoon sergeant faces to the left in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to their post. The platoon sergeant then halts and faces to the right. When assuming their post in line from a column formation, they face to the right in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and march in the most direct route to their post, halt centered on the platoon, and face to the left.
Note: When the files (columns) are uneven, the platoon sergeant normally directs the Soldiers in longer files to move to another file to balance the formation or may fill the vacancy themselves as the last person in the right file.
7-6. When control of the formation is being exchanged between the platoon sergeant and the platoon leader, the platoon sergeant will always travel around the right flank (squad leader) of the formation when marching from post to post. The platoon leader will always travel around the left flank of the formation when marching post to post.
7-7. On the command Open Ranks, MARCH; Backward, MARCH; Right (Left) Step, MARCH; Forward, MARCH and on commands that cause the platoon to change interval in line, they move at the same time (with the appropriate step) so as to maintain proper position.
7-8. The leader of the first squad serves as the base when the platoon is in a line formation. The leader of the fourth squad serves as the base when the platoon is in a column formation.
7-9. If for some reason the platoon is authorized a guidon or phase banner (in training units, for example), the bearer’s post is one step in front of and two 15-inch steps to the right of and facing the person forming the platoon. When the formation is faced to the right for a marching movement, they execute in the same manner as explained in appendix G, except that their post is three steps in front of and centered on the squad leaders. If the platoon leader is present and at their post, the bearer’s post is one step to the rear and two 15-inch steps to the left of the platoon leader.
7-10. When the platoon drills as a separate unit, in a line formation, the post for the platoon leader is six steps in front of and centered on the platoon; when in a column formation, the platoon leader is six steps to the left flank and centered on the platoon. When marching as part of a larger formation, their post is one step in front of and centered on the squad leaders.
7-11. When the platoon leader commands Open Ranks, MARCH; Backward, MARCH; Right (Left) Step, MARCH; Forward, MARCH or causes the platoon to change interval, they move at the same time (with the appropriate step) so as to maintain proper position:
When assuming their post in column from a line formation, the platoon leader faces to the right in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to their post, halts, and faces to the left.
When assuming their post in line from a column formation, the platoon leader faces to the left in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to their post, halts perpendicular to the formation, and faces to the right.