Forming the battalion. To facilitate the forming of a larger unit, the commander normally alerts the component units as to the desired formation, time, place, route, uniform, and the sequence in which the units will form. Unless the right guide’s position at the formation site has been previously marked, the guides report to the site and receive instructions before the arrival of the troops.
The commissioned staff forms in one rank, at normal interval and centered on the commander. Staff members are normally arranged in their numerical order from right to left. When enlisted staff personnel form as part of the officer staff, they form two steps to the rear of their respective staff officer. The command sergeant major (CSM) forms one step to the rear and is centered on the Colors.
When the battalion participates as a separate element of a larger formation, or when space is limited, it is normally formed in a mass formation in the same manner as forming a company mass (see figure 9-3).
The adjutant is responsible for the formation of troops. They take a position at the right flank of the line on which the units are to form and faces down the line. The adjutant remains facing down the line until all units are formed and then marches to their post midway between the line of troops and the proposed position of the commander. As the commander and their staff approach, the adjutant commands (directs) the units to ATTENTION, faces the commander, salutes, and reports, “Sir or Ma’am, the battalion is formed.”
Note: If guides are used, the adjutant takes their post as soon as the guides have been aligned.
The commander returns the Salute and commands POST. The adjutant marches forward, passes to the commander’s right, and takes their post as the right flank staff officer. The commander then commands or directs such actions as they desire.
Normally, the Colors are positioned at the center of the battalion when formed in line or column, and four steps to the rear of the staff when formed in mass.
Note: . In a battalion mass formation, the platoon leaders form as the first rank of troops. The right flank platoon leader serves as the guide.
Note: Because of the time involved in inspecting a battalion, the commander normally directs their staff to inspect the companies while they inspect the Colors and make a general inspection of the battalion. The Color guards do not execute Inspection Arms.
As the battalion commander (or their designated staff officer) approaches the company, the company commander faces about, salutes, and reports, “Sir or Ma’am, ______ Company is prepared for inspection.” The inspecting officer then proceeds to the first platoon to be inspected. The company commander takes a position to the left of the inspecting officer. The platoons are inspected in the same manner as explained in company drill. In the event a platoon has already been inspected by a staff officer or is waiting to be inspected by a staff officer and the battalion commander approaches, the battalion commander is invited to inspect the platoon.
When the inspection has been completed and the battalion commander is en route back to their post, the company commanders bring their units to ATTENTION, CLOSE RANKS, and AT EASE. When the battalion commander has returned to the front of the formation and all staff officers have completed their inspection, the battalion commander commands Battalion, ATTENTION and dismisses the battalion (as previously described).
If the battalion is being inspected by a higher commander and their staff, the battalion commander reports to the inspecting officer in the same manner as the company commanders. The battalion commander’s staff takes a position to the left of the higher inspecting staff and escorts them to the unit. The battalion commander escorts the higher commander.
