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

8-l3. TO MARCH TOWARD A FLANK
a. The command is BY THE RIGHT (LEFT) FLANK, MARCH. It may be
given from any marching formation. It should not be given at a halt. The
preparatory command and command of execution are given so they end as the
foot in the direction of the turn hits the deck.
b. At the command MARCH, each Marine takes one more step, then
faces to the right (left) in marching and steps out with his/her right
(left) foot in the new direction. The platoon commander and guide execute
the flanking movement with the platoon, but do not change their position
within the platoon (for the one exception to this see paragraph 9-10).
c. When this movement is executed from a column at close interval,
squad(s) in rear of the squad which becomes the leading squad take up the
half step, after doing the flank movement, until a 40-inch distance is
obtained between squads. After such a movement, the platoon maintains
normal interval until close march is commanded.
d. This movement is used to move a column a short distance to the
right or left.
8-14. TO STACK ARMS
Before stacking arms, ranks are opened. Arms are then stacked, on
the command of the platoon commander, by each squad as prescribed in
paragraph 7-15. The guide passes his/her rifle to the left, and it is
placed, as an extra weapon, on the first stack of the first squad.
8-15. TO OPEN RANKS
The commands are OPEN RANKS, MARCH; READY, FRONT; COVER. They are
given only in line. At the command MARCH, the front rank takes 2 paces
forward, halts, and executes dress right. The second rank takes one pace
forward, halts, and executes dress right. The third rank, if present,
stands fast and executes dress right. Each succeeding rank present takes
2, 4, or 6 steps backward, halts, and executes dress right. The platoon
commander verifies the alignment as for dress right. After verifying the
alignment of the rear rank, he/she faces to the right in marching, moves 3
paces beyond the front rank, faces to the left, and commands READY, FRONT;
COVER.
8-16. TO CLOSE RANKS
The command is CLOSE RANKS, MARCH. It may be given only from open
ranks. At the command MARCH, front rank stands fast; the second rank
takes one pace forward and halts. Each succeeding rank present takes 2,
3, 4, or 5 paces forward and halts. Each Marine covers. The platoon
commander gives the command to close ranks at the same position from which
he/she commanded ready front. At the command MARCH, the platoon commander
moves by the most direct route and posts 6 paces in front of the center of
the platoon.
8-17. TO FORM FOR SHELTER TENTS
a. Shelter tents will be pitched in line and in formation only for
the purpose of instruction and formal field inspections of equipment.
Normally in bivouac, full use will be made of available cover and
concealment and straight lines will be avoided.
b. The platoon forms in one line to pitch shelter tents. If
sufficient space is not available, squad lines may be used.
c. Marines armed with rifles will sling arms prior to forming for
shelter tents.
d. The platoon being in line, to form in one rank for pitching
shelter tents, the commands are FORM FOR SHELTER TENTS TO THE LEFT, MARCH;
TAKE INTERVAL TO THE LEFT, MARCH; COUNT OFF.
8-9