Marine corps drill and ceremonies manual - Regimental Drum Major ...

(4) The butts of both rifles are swung outward and down to the ground
until the stack is tight with the rifle butts on line and
approximately 2 feet from the baseline. When the stack has been
completed, all three men resume the position of attention (see
fig. 7-10).
Figure 7-10. Final Positions of Stacking Arms.
(5) Extra rifles are passed to the nearest stack on the right (right
or left if stacked in column). The extra men grasp the barrel of
the rifle, raise it vertically and extend their arm horizontally
to the right front. The next man grasps the weapon at the
handguard, moves it center of the body, grasps the barrel with
the right hand, and extends the right hand horizontally to the
right front. This action continues until the rifle reaches the
stackman. The stackman places the rifle on the stack in a manner
to prevent damage to the front sight assembly.
7-16. TO TAKE ARMS
a. The command is TAKE, ARMS.
b. On the command of execution, the men return extra rifles in the
same manner as they were received. The stackman secures the stack and
holds the loop in the same manner as for stacking rifles. The men on the
left and right step to the oblique, reach down and regrasp their weapons,
bringing them to the horizontal position. The man on the right frees his
rifle first and resumes orders arms or unsling arms. The man on the left
frees his weapon and resumes order arms or unsling arms. The stackman
cradles his weapon and adjusts the sling and sling keeper to its original
position and then resumes the order or unsling arms position.
7-12