et us first consider the company in column of squads. At the captain's
command, right front into line, the corporal of the leading squad, if
halted, commands forward; if marching, he cautions his squad, continue
the march. The corporals of the remaining squads command right oblique.
At the command march, the leading squad moves forward. The remaining
squads oblique as indicated. The command halt is given when the leading
squad has advanced the desired distance; its corporal then commands left
dress.

The remaining corporals command forward, MARCH, when opposite their
places in the line. They halt and dress their squads on the line
established by the leading squad.

When the company is in column of platoons the movement is executed in
the same manner and by the same commands except the word platoon is
substituted for squad. The Captain gives the command FRONT.

[Illustration]

Being in line, to form column of platoons, or the reverse: 1. Platoons
right (left), 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT; or, 3. Forward, 4. MARCH.

[Illustration]

Executed by each platoon as described for the company.

Before forming line the captain sees that the guides on the flank toward
which the movement is to be executed are covering. This is effected by
previously announcing the guide to that flank.

The two common errors are: 1. First, the pivot man takes a short step
instead of marking time. Second, (being in line), the pivot men of the
platoons forget that they are the pivots and therefore do not execute
the command when ordered.

[Illustration]

The following illustration shows the side view of a platoon. Note the
common errors: No. 1 rear rank is closed up to about twenty inches. He
is looking down at the heels of his front rank file (man). Rifles are
improperly held. Some men in the rear rank have more than forty inches
distance from their front rank men.

Being in line, to form column of squads, or the reverse; or, being in
line of platoons, to form column of platoons, or the reverse: 1. Squads
right (left), 2. MARCH; or, 1. Squads right (left), 2. MARCH, 3.
Company, 4. HALT.

Executed by each squad as described in the School of the Squad.

[Illustration]

If the company or platoons be formed in line toward the side of the file
closers they dart through the column and take posts in rear of the
company at the second command. If the column of squads be formed from
line, the file closers take posts on the pivot flank, abrea