54 MANUAL FOR I^OITCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



Tactical exercise. — An operation against an outlined or repre- 

 sented enemy whose movements are restricted witli a view 

 to illustrating some particular tactical principle. 



PART I.— INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION. 



Section 2. General provisions. 



34.^ Thorough training in the school of the trooper is tlie 

 basis of efficiency. 



35. Short and frequent drills are preferable to long ones, 

 which exhaust the attention of both instructor and recruit. 



36. As the instruction progresses, the recruits will be 

 grouped according to proficiency, in order that all may ad- 

 vance as rapidly as their abilities permit. Those who lack 



' aptitude and quickness will be separated from the others and 

 placed under experienced drillmasters. 



37. The individual dismounted instruction of the recruit is 

 habitually given by experienced noncommissioned officers, espe- 

 cially selected for that purpose. All such instruction is under 

 the careful personal supervision of a commissioned officer, and 

 in the corresponding mounted instruction it is desirable that 

 the actual instructor be a commissioned officer when this is 

 practicable. All lieutenants will be required to instruct re- 

 cruits in person sufficiently to acquire skill in such work. 



When recruits, upon their arrival at a station, are assigned 

 to their respective troops for training, tlie captains prescribe 

 and supervise the instruction. 



38. The instructor will always maintain a military bearing 

 and by a quiet, firm demeanor, set a proper example to his 

 men. A calm and even temper is indispensable. Unneces- 

 sarily loud commands and prolonged explanations are to be 

 avoided. 



As the recruits become somewhat proficient in the school of 

 the trooper, the officer superintending the instruction may call 

 upon them in turn to drill the squad in his presence and to 

 correct any errors that may be observed. This will increase 



1 The numbers refer to paragraphs in the Cavalry Drill Regulations, 

 1916. 



