MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICL'RS. 141 



new movement the example and movements of the instructor 

 as leader will be supplemented at first by oral commands 

 only, then by oral commands accompanied by the correspond- 

 ing arm signals for those movements for v/hich such signals 

 are provided {see Signals, pars. 988-996), then by signals 

 alone. The commands and signals will be given by the actual 

 leader. When the instructor is not actually leading (pan 

 345) he may either indicate to the leader the movements to 

 be executed or else leave to him the selection of such move- 

 ments. 



348. After the oral commands and arm signals are thor- 

 oughly understood the instructor v/ill practice the squad in 

 passing from one formation to another, using oral commands 

 for some movements, signals for some, and causing some (e. g., 

 changes of direction) to be executed by conforming to the 

 movements of the leader without the additional indication of 

 eitlier oral commands or signals. 



349. The troopers must be accustomed to conforming, icith- 

 oiit the assistance of any command or signal given to the sqnad 

 as a whole, to simple movements (e. g., movements front into 

 line) initiated at the head of a column formation by a com- 

 mand so given as to be heard by only the leading troopers. 



With reasonable practice the more essential changes of for- 

 mation that are executed toward the direction of march can 

 readily be taken by the squad by conforming, without other 

 indication, to the movements of the troopers nearest the leader. 

 As many movements in service must be executed under condi- 

 tions of noise, dust, etc., that v/ill render it difficult for the 

 commands or signals of the leader to be understood except by 

 those near him, practice in conforming promptly and intelli- 

 gently to the movements of the elements nearest the leader is 

 important and must be given careful attention. 



The object ultimately to be sought in the instruction is the 

 quiet, rapid, and effective handling of the squad with a mini- 

 7num of either oral commands or signals. The squad is re- 

 quired to pass rapidly from one formation to another, a new 

 movement being occasionally initiated before the execution of 

 the one preceding it has been completed. 



