MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 59 



57. To teach the recruits how to form in ranks the instructor 

 will first place them in single rank, arranged according to 

 height, the tallest man on the right, with intervals of about 4 

 inches between men, and M'ill explain that the object of these 

 intervals is to give freedom of movement in marching and in 

 the use of the rifle in ranks. He will then direct each man 

 singly to place the palm of the left hand on the hip, fingers 

 pointing downward, and draw attention to the fact that the 

 indicated interval of about 4 inches may be verified by each 

 man so placing himself that his right arm, when hanging 

 naturally at his side, touches the elbow of the man on his 

 right. When this is understood, he will cause the recruits to 

 fall out and successively to place themselves as before, each 

 man verifying his interval by causing his right arm to touch 

 the left elbow of the man on his right, the latter's hand 

 being on his hip, as already explained. He will then explain 

 that at the command FALL IN the men will, beginning with 

 the right trooper, successively and quickly take their places 

 in rank, each man placing the left hand at the hip as above 

 and dropping his hand to his side as soon as the man on his 

 left has the proper interval. 



58. The recruits having had sufficient instruction to under- 

 stand how to form by command, the instructor commands: 

 FALL IN. 



The men assemble as prescribed in par. 57, each taking 

 the position of attention as described below. 



As soon as the recruits have had sufficient preliminary 

 instruction they will habitually be formed as regularly pre- 

 scribed for a squad. 



POSITION OF THE TROOPER, OE ATTENTION (DISMOUNTED). 



59. Heels on the same line and as near each other as the 

 conformation of the man permits. 



Feet turned out equally and forming an angle of about 45". 



Knees straight without stiffness. 



Hips level and drawn back slightly; body erect and resting 

 equally on hips ; chest lifted and arched ; shoulders square 

 and falling equally. 



