Section 3
Inspection
7-55. Inspections at platoon level are typically conducted by the platoon sergeant. If the platoon leader wants to inspect, they conduct the inspection from their post. For continuity purposes, this section will address the platoon sergeant’s actions only.
7-56. The platoon has one prescribed formation for inspecting personnel and equipment in ranks—the line formation. When inspecting crew-served weapons and vehicles, the personnel are normally positioned to the rear of the formation with the operator (gunner) standing by their vehicle (weapon). Typically, the platoons are inspected by the platoon sergeants; however, they may be inspected by the first sergeant or company commander.
7-57. The platoon leader or platoon sergeant may conduct an in-quarters (barracks) inspection to include personal appearance, individual weapons, field equipment, displays, maintenance, and sanitary conditions. The platoon leader or platoon sergeant will follow local guidelines.
7-58. When field equipment is to be inspected, it should be displayed neatly, organized, and serviceable. Additional equipment or different models of the equipment should be arranged in a uniform manner established by the local commander. The squad leaders may carry and use materials to record deficiencies if the local chain of command authorizes it.
7-59. To conduct in-ranks inspections, put the platoon use the following procedures in a line formation, the platoon sergeant commands Count, OFF. On the command of execution OFF, all personnel except right flank personnel turn their heads and eyes to the right and the right flank personnel count off with “ONE.” After the right flank Soldiers have counted their number, the Soldiers to their left count off with the next higher number and simultaneously turn their heads and eyes to the front. All other members of the formation count off in the same manner until the entire formation has counted off.
7-60. After the platoon has counted off, the platoon sergeant commands Open Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the front rank takes two steps forward, the second rank takes one step forward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes two steps backward. If additional ranks are present, the fifth rank takes four steps backward, and the sixth rank takes six steps backward.
Note: After taking the prescribed number of steps, the Soldiers do not raise their arms. If the platoon leader wants exact interval or alignment, they command At Close Interval (At Double Interval), Dress Right, DRESS. (See paragraph 7-28 for more information on aligning the platoon.)
7-61. At this point, the platoon is ready to be inspected. Typically, the squads are inspected by the squad leaders; however they may be inspected by the platoon sergeant or platoon leader.
7-62. If the platoon sergeant wants the squad leaders to inspect their squads, they will direct INSPECT YOUR SQUADS. Salutes are not exchanged.
7-63. The squad leaders face to the half left as in marching and march by the most direct route to a point 15 inches in front of and centered on the first Soldier
Note: If the members of the platoon are armed, the squad leaders will sling their weapons diagonally across the back with the muzzle down and to the right. This movement will be executed without command and prior to the squad leader stepping off.
7-64. The squad leaders remain at a modified Position of Attention moving their heads and eyes only. After inspecting at the center position, they take a short step forward and to the left and inspects, return to the center and step forward and to the right and inspect, and return to the center position.
7-65. Having inspected the first Soldier, the squad leader faces to the right as in marching and takes one (two if at normal interval) step, halts, and faces the next Soldier at the appropriate distance. The squad leader conducts the inspection for the rest of the Soldiers in the squad.
7-66. After inspecting the last Soldier in the squad, the squad leader faces to the right as in marching and marches around behind the squad, inclining as necessary. While the squad leader marches back to their post, they inspect the squad from the rear.
7-67. After resuming their post, the squad leader turns their head and eyes over their left shoulder and commands their squad to assume At Ease. The platoon sergeant remains at their post (inspects the guidon or phase bearer as appropriate). After the last squad has been inspected and is at At Ease, the platoon sergeant commands the platoon to Attention.
7-68. After commanding the platoon to Attention, the platoon sergeant commands Close Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the first rank takes four steps backward, the second rank takes two steps backward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes one step forward. On the command of execution MARCH, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant take the appropriate number of steps to maintain their posts.
7-69. If the platoon is being inspected as part of a larger formation and control of the platoon has not been turned over to the platoon sergeant, they face about, and execute At Ease. They then wait on further instructions from the first sergeant.
7-70. If the platoon sergeant is not going to inspect the entire platoon, they direct the squad leaders of the appropriate squads to inspect their squads. All others will be inspected by the platoon sergeant. When armed, the platoon sergeant slings their weapon in the same manner as the squad leaders.
7-71. The platoon sergeant faces to the Half Left as in marching and marches by the most direct route to a point 15 inches in front of and centered on the first squad leader (or the squad leader of the squad to be inspected). As soon as the platoon sergeant halts in front of the squad leader, they command the other squads to At Ease and inspect the squad leader.
7-72. The platoon sergeant remains at a modified Position of Attention moving their head and eyes only. After inspecting at the center position, they take a short step forward and to the left and inspect, return to the center and step forward and to the right and inspect, and return to the center position.
7-73. Having inspected the squad leader, the platoon sergeant faces to the right as in marching and takes one (two if at normal interval) steps, halts, and faces the next Soldier at the appropriate distance. After the platoon sergeant steps off, the squad leader takes a half step forward and faces about. When moving from Soldier to Soldier, the squad leader and platoon sergeant move simultaneously.
7-74. Having inspected the last Soldier in the squad, the platoon sergeant faces to the right as in marching and marches around behind the squad, inclining as necessary. The platoon sergeant inspects the squad from the rear.
7-75. As the platoon sergeant begins to inspect the first squad from the rear, the second squad leader commands their squad to Attention. The first squad leader returns to their post. After the platoon sergeant arrives in front of the second squad leader, the platoon sergeant commands the first squad to At Ease over their right shoulder. All remaining squads will be inspected in the same manner as the first.
7-76. The platoon sergeant and squad leader execute in the same manner as in inspecting the first squad until the entire platoon has been inspected. After inspecting the rear of the last squad, the platoon sergeant marches by the most direct route to their post, halts, faces to the left and commands the platoon to Attention.
7-77. After commanding the platoon to Attention, the platoon sergeant commands Close Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the first rank takes four steps backward, the second rank takes two steps backward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes one step forward. On the command of execution MARCH, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant take the appropriate number of steps to maintain their posts.
7-78. If the platoon is being inspected as part of a larger formation and control of the platoon has been not been turned over to the platoon sergeant, they face about and execute At Ease. They then await further instructions from the first sergeant.
7-79. When the platoon sergeant wants to conduct an in-quarters inspection, they position the squad members on line with their equipment or as near it as possible. The squad leader positions themselves in the path of the inspector at a point near their area of responsibility. At the approach of the inspector, the squad leader commands, Squad, ATTENTION and reports, “Sergeant, the platoon is prepared for inspection.”
Note: When the situation dictates, the squad leader may report to the inspector outside of the quarters. A designated individual commands the members to ATTENTION as the inspector enters the area.
7-80. The squad leader then guides the inspector along a route dictated by the physical arrangement of the personnel and equipment. Upon entering the area, the highest ranking Soldier present commands AT EASE. As the inspector approaches each individual or their equipment, the individual automatically assumes the Position of Attention. When the inspector has moved to the next Soldier, the last Soldier inspected resumes the position of At Ease. As the inspector begins to exit the area after completing the inspection, CARRY ON is commanded.
Note: When inspecting Soldiers’ rooms, Attention is not commanded. The individuals automatically assume the Position of Attention as the inspector enters the room. The inspector then commands AT EASE. As the inspector approaches each Soldier, the Soldier assumes the Position of Attention and resumes At Ease after they have been inspected.
