MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 63 



definition, but is used to indicate a special arrangement and 

 condition of the elements of a command. 



Order, close. — This includes formations in which the intervals 

 and distances between elements are habitually based upon 

 those required for forming the normal line formation of each 

 unit Of the formation. 



Order, extended. — The formation in which the troopers, or 

 the subdivisions, or both, are separated by intervals or dis- 

 tances greater than in close order. 



Pace. — Used with refei-ence to gait, pace signifies the rate of 

 speed of the gait. Used as a unit of measure, pace signifies 

 a step of 30 inches. 



Patrol. — A group detached from a command and operating 

 with specific mission, usually related to security or informa- 

 tion. The term is ordinarily applied to groups varying in size 

 from two men to a platoon. They are frequently designated 

 by special names connected with their principal mission or 

 their composition; as, reconnoitering patrols, combat patrols, 

 visiting patrols, officer's patrols. 



Ployment. — An evolution in which the command diminishes 

 its front, as in passing from line to column, or from extended 

 order to close order. 



Rally. — The rapid grouping behind the leader of the ele- 

 ments of a command, without reference to their previous situa- 

 tion or formation. 



The object of the rally is to reestablish cohesion with a 

 view to innnediate action, or to form line in a new direction 

 when the regular method of forming line would be slow or 

 complicated. It is executed in the order of arrival of the 

 elements of the command without regard to their normal 

 order. The formation in which each unit is rallied is fixed 

 in the drill instructions of that unit. 



Rank. — Two or more troopers placed side by side. 



Scouts. — Individual troopers detached from their commands 

 and operating with a definite mission related to security or 

 information. 



Skirmishers. — Dismounted troopers in line in extended order ; 

 also the formation in which the troopers are so placed. 



Successive formation. — A formation in which the elements 

 take their places successively. 



