102 MANITAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



To teach him to fire easily and elTectively, at the same time 

 concealing himself from the view of the enemy, he is prac- 

 ticed in simulated firing in the prone, sitting, kneeling, and 

 crouching positions, from behind hillocks, trees, heaps of 

 earth or rocks, from depressions, gullies, ditches, doorways, or 

 windows. He is taught to fire around the right side of his 

 concealment whenever practicable, or, when this is not practi- 

 cable, to rise enough to fire over the top of his concealment. 



When these details are understood, he is required to select 

 cover with reference to an assumed enemy and to place him- 

 self behind it in proper position for firing. 



143. The disadvantage of remaining too long in one place, 

 however good the concealment, should be explained. He should 

 be taught to advance from cover to cover, selecting cover in 

 advance before leaving his concealment. 



It should be impressed upon him that a man running rapidly 

 toward an enemy furnishes a poor target. He should be 

 trained in springing from a prone position behind concealment, 

 running at top speed to cover and throwing himself behind it. 

 He should also be practiced in advancing from cover to cover 

 by crawling, or by lying on the left side, rifle grasped in the 

 right hand, and pushing himself forward with the right leg. 



He should be taught that -.?hen fired on while acting inde- 

 pendently, he should drop to the ground, seek cover, and then 

 endeavor to locate his enemy ; also that in the sun he is visible 

 to a much greater degree than when in the shade. 



The instruction of the recruit in the use of cover is continued 

 in combat exercises of the squad and platoon, but he must 

 then be taught that the proper advance of the platoon or troop 

 and the effectiveness of its fire is of greater importance than 

 the question of cover for individuals sJioiild the Uco considera- 

 tions conflict. He should also be taught that he may not move 

 about or shift his position in the firing line except to get a 

 better view of the target. 



OBSEBVATION. 



144. In order to develop the faculty of rapid and accurate 

 observation, which is of great importance in campaign, the 

 recruit should be trained in taking notice of his surroundings, 

 at first from selected positions and later at the various gaits. 



