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

3-2. ORDER ARMS
a. Order arms is the position of the individual at attention with
the rifle. It is assumed on the command ATTENTION from any of the rest
positions except tall out. Order arms is assumed on the command FALL IN
and on the command ORDER, ARMS from any position in the manual except
inspection arms and sling arms.
b. The basic position of the rifle manual is order arms (see fig.
3-2). Properly executed, the butt of the rifle rests on the deck, and the
stock rests along the outer edge of the right shoe. The pistol grip is to
the front and the barrel is in a near vertical position. The rifle is
grasped by the right hand at the junction of the front sight assembly and
the barrel. The barrel rests in the "V" formed by the thumb and
forefinger. The fingers are extended and joined and placed on line with
the barrel. The thumb is placed along the trouser seam and the entire
right arm is behind the rifle. This may cause a sight bend to the right
arm of shorter troops. Those persons who are too tall to accomplish this
may slide their hand up the barrel so that their posture remains erect.
Figure 3-2. - -Order Arms.
3-3