140 MANT3AL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



343. The system of drill contained in these regulations is 

 based largely upon the actual leading of units ny their re- 

 spective chiefs or commanders. During the elementary in- 

 struction of recruits, both mounted and dismounted, leading 

 will be emphasized as indicated in par. 344. Thereafter the 

 application of leading will conform to pars. 448 to 456. 



344. The first collective instruction will, therefore, be in 

 conforming to the march of a leader, thus confirming and 

 extending the instruction given in the School of the Trooper 

 (pars. 29.5, 298) ; and reasonahle proficiency in this instruc- 

 tion must be secured before any attempt is made to utilize 

 either commands or signals in the execution of collective 

 'movements, except as prescribed in par. 3G3. 



345. It is diflicult for a leader to lead the squad properly 

 and at the same time to supervise the march and correct the 

 errors of individual troopers. For this reason it is desirable, 

 especially in the earlier collective drills, that the instructor 

 have as an assistant another noncommissioned officer or a 

 well-instructed trooper. The instructor then leads the squad 

 and requires his assistant (who takes the positions best 

 adapted for the purpose in view) to supervise closely the 

 movements of the troopers and to correct errors by means of 

 cautions addressed quietly by name to the individual man or 

 men concerned. Later the instructor similarly supervises the 

 execution of the march while requiring his assistant to lead 

 the squad. As the troopers advance in the instruction the 

 instructor should give each of them such practice in leading 

 the squad as the progress of the individual trooper concerned 

 may appear to justify. 



346. When instruction in leading (par? 3G7) has advanced 

 to the point where the guide can preserve his proper distance 

 from the leader and conform promptly and smoothly to the 

 hitter's movements, the other troopers meantime preserving 

 their interval and alignment without undue constraint or 

 unnecessarily abrupt changes of gait or pace, the instruction 

 Is extended progressively to include, in accordance with the 

 methods proscribed in par. 347, the execution of the move- 

 ments prescribed for the squad. 



347. Throughout the instruction prescribed by par. 346 the 

 squad will continue as before to be led. In teaching each 



