Marine corps drill and ceremonies manual - Regimental Drum Major ...
Marine corps drill and ceremonies manual - Regimental Drum Major ...
Marine corps drill and ceremonies manual - Regimental Drum Major ...
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8-1. GENERAL<br />
CHAPTER 8<br />
PLATOON DRILL<br />
a. The first phase of <strong>drill</strong> has been explained in earlier chapters<br />
of this <strong>manual</strong>. This chapter discusses the next phase, platoon <strong>drill</strong>. In<br />
platoon <strong>drill</strong>, the squad is merged with other squads into a platoon.<br />
b. A platoon consists of a platoon headquarters <strong>and</strong> two or more<br />
squads or sections. Platoon headquarters consists of a platoon comm<strong>and</strong>er<br />
<strong>and</strong> one or more assistants.<br />
c. A section normally forms <strong>and</strong> <strong>drill</strong>s as part of a platoon. In<br />
this <strong>manual</strong>, the instructions given for the squad or platoon also apply to<br />
a section. A section, not subdivided into squads, forms <strong>and</strong> <strong>drill</strong>s as a<br />
squad. A section that is divided into two or more squads, forms <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>drill</strong>s as a platoon.<br />
d. Squads in a platoon are numbered from front to rear in line <strong>and</strong><br />
from left to right in column.<br />
e. The platoon forms in two or more ranks with 40-inch distance<br />
between ranks. Movements in this section are described for columns of<br />
threes or fours <strong>and</strong> may be executed by either formation.<br />
f. The platoon changes interval while in line <strong>and</strong> counts off in the<br />
same manner as the squad. Squad leaders are the base for these movements.<br />
Each <strong>Marine</strong> in rear of the first rank covers the corresponding <strong>Marine</strong> in<br />
the front rank in executing these movements. The guide moves to the right<br />
when interval is taken to the left, <strong>and</strong> he/she does not count off.<br />
g. In platoon <strong>drill</strong>, if all members of the platoon are to execute a<br />
movement simultaneously, the movement is executed on the comm<strong>and</strong> of the<br />
platoon comm<strong>and</strong>er. In this case, squad leaders do not repeat or give any<br />
comm<strong>and</strong>s. When squads of the platoon are to execute a movement in<br />
successive order, such as forming column of twos (files) <strong>and</strong> reforming<br />
into column (of threes, etc.), squad leaders give appropriate supplemental<br />
comm<strong>and</strong>s for the movement of their squads.<br />
h. Unless specified for the platoon to be at close interval, all<br />
changes in formation should be executed with normal interval <strong>and</strong> distance<br />
between files <strong>and</strong> ranks.<br />
8-1