Rider's Training Manual
Chapter One. Squad Drill
(31.II.20-25)
1. Inspection
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1. Whenever a squad, parading in two ranks, is to be inspected the ranks will be opened for the inspection or closed on its completion by the following orders :-
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Rear rank one pace step back – March. The rear rank will step back one pace and dress by the right.
Close ranks – March. The rear rank will take one pace forward.
2. The instructor will pay attention to the personal cleanliness of the men as well as to the care of their arms, equipment and clothing. A clean and smart turn-out must be insisted on at all times. In this respect instructors must set a high standard for young soldiers to emulate. Men learn good habits more quickly by example than by other methods.
3. Instructors and young officers will be trained in methods of inspection so that, with practice, they will be able to tell at a glance whether each man on parade is correctly turned out or not.
2.Attention
SQUAD – ATTENTION
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Spring up to the following position : – Heels together and in line. Feet turned at an angle of about 30 degrees. Knees straight. Body erect and carried evenly over the shoulders (which should be level and square to the front) down and moderately back – this should bring the chest to its natural forward position without any straining or stiffening . Arms hanging from the shoulders as straight as the natural bend of the arm will allow. wrists straight. Hands closed but not clenched . Backs of the fingers touching the thigh lightly, thumb to the front and close to the forefinger, thumb immediately behind the seam of the trousers. Neck erect. Head balanced evenly on the neck and not poked forward, eyes looking their own height and straight to the front.
The weight of the body should be balanced on both feet and evenly distributed between the fore part of the feet and the heels.
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The breathing must not in any way be restricted, and no part of the body should be either drawn in or pushed out.
The position is one of readiness in expectation of the word of command.
3. Standing at Ease
STAND AT – EASE
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Keeping the legs straight, carry the left foot about 12 inches to the left so that the weight of the body rests equally on both feet. At the same time carry the hands behind the back and place the back of the right hand in the palm of the left, grasping it lightly with the finger and thumb, and allowing the arms to hang at their full extent.
Note. – When a recruit falls in he will Stand at ease after he has taken up his dressing.
4. Standing easy
STAND – EASY.
The limbs, head, and body may be moved but the man will not move his feet, so that on coming to attention there will be no loss of dressing. Slouching attitudes are not to be permitted. If either foot is moved men are inclined to lose their dressing.
On the caution squad, troop, etc., the correct position of stand at ease will be assumed.
5. Dressing a squad with intervals
EYES RIGHT – DRESS
Each recruit, except the right hand man, will turn his head and eyes to the right and at the same time extend his right arm, back of the hand upwards, finger tips touching the shoulder of the man on his right. He will then take up his dressing in line by moving, with short quick steps, till he is just able to distinguish the lower part of the face of the second man beyond him. Care must be taken to carry the body backward of forward with the feet, the shoulders being kept perfectly square in their original position.
EYES – FRONT
The head and eyes will be turned smartly to the front, the arm cut away to the side and the position of attention resumed.
6. Turning by numbers
1. TURNING TO THE RIGHT – ONE.
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Keeping both knees straight and the body erect, turn to the right on the right heel and left toe, raising the left heel and the right toe in doing so.
On the completion of this preliminary movement, the right foot must be flat on the ground and the left heel raised ; both knees straight, and the weight of the body, which must be erect, on the right foot.
TWO.
Bring the left heel smartly up to the right.
2. TURNING TO THE LEFT – ONE.
As for the above, except for the right read left and vice versa.
TWO.
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Bring the right heel smartly up to the left.
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3. TURNING ABOUT – ONE.
Keeping both knees straight and the body erect, turn to the right-about on the right heel and left toe, raising the right toe and left heel in doing so, but keeping the right heel firmly on the ground.
On the completion of this preliminary movement the right foot must be flat on the ground and the left heel raised ; both knees straight, and the weight of the body, which must be erect, on the right foot.
TWO.
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Bring the left heel smartly up to the right.
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4. INCLINING TO THE LEFT – ONE.
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As described for turning to the right, but making a turn of 30 degrees only.
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TWO.
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As described for turning to the left.
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6. Throughout all turns the arms must be kept close to the sides as in the position of attention.
7. In turning “judging the time” commands are Right (or Left) or About – Turn, Right (or Left) In- cline ; the movements described above will be carried out on the command Turn or In-cline, observing the two distinct motions.