THE BAYONET.

UNITED STATES ARMY.

1. The infantry soldier relies mainly on fire action to disable the
enemy, but he should know that personal combat is often necessary to
obtain success. Therefore, he must be instructed in the use of the
rifle and bayonet in hand-to-hand encounters.

2. The object of this instruction is to teach the soldier how to make
effective use of the rifle and bayonet in personal combat; to make him
quick and proficient in handling his rifle; to give him an accurate
eye and a steady hand; and to give him confidence in the bayonet in
offense and defense. When skill in these exercises has been acquired,
the rifle will still remain a most formidable weapon at close quarters
should the bayonet be lost or disabled.

3. Efficiency of organizations in bayonet fighting will be judged by
the skill shown by individuals in personal combat. For this purpose
pairs or groups of opponents, selected at random from among recruits
and trained soldiers, should engage in assaults, using the fencing
equipment provided for the purpose.

4. Officers and specially selected and thoroughly instructed
noncommissioned officers will act as instructors.

5. Instruction in bayonet combat should begin as soon as the soldier
is familiar with the handling of his rifle and will progress, as far
as practicable, in the order followed in the text.

6. Instruction is ordinarily given on even ground; but practice should
also be had on uneven ground, especially in the attack and defense of
intrenchments.

7. These exercises will not be used as a calisthenic drill.

8. The principles of the commands are the same as those given in
paragraphs 9, 15, and 38, Infantry Drill Regulations. Intervals and
distances will be taken as in paragraphs 109 and 111, Infantry Drill
Regulations, except that, in formations for bayonet exercises, the men
should be at least four paces apart in every direction.

9. Before requiring soldiers to take a position or execute a movement
for the first time, the instructor executes the same for the purpose
of illustration, after which he requires the soldiers to execute the
movement individually. Movements prescribed in this manual will not be
executed in cadence as the attempt to do so results in incomplete
execution and lack of vigor. Each movement will be executed correctly
as quickly as possible by every man. As soon as the movements are
executed accurately, the commands are given rapidly, as expertn