The standard drill and marching book, including simple directions for training school classes in military marching,...and a new adaptation of national singing games complete with music

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CHAPTER

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I. Military Marching

Chapter I

MILITARY MARCHING (Adapted from U. S. Infantry Tactics)

The object of this series of exercises is to give individual skill in all kinds of marching. It is the abc of the march. Fifteen minutes' practice at a time will prove more effective than longer drills, which tire both instructor and pupil. It must be remembered that new muscles are brought into play, and they must be developed gradually. In these drills the hands should be empty. The exercises are adapted to boys and girls alike. No music needed.

THE SQUAD

The squad usually consists of four, and drill in squads is intended for individual instruction to raw recruits.

V's, each with an angle of sixty degrees, should be marked with chalk or paint on the floor or ground at such a distance apart that when the recruits stand side by side upon these V's their elbows will just touch.

At the command "fall in" recruits take 17 their position on the V's, heels together, toes out, hands at sides, heads up, chins in. Boys hold their hands so that the little finger is just inside seam of pants; girls take a similar position, fingers straight down.

Commands are usually given in two or more parts, the first being preliminary, execution to take place the moment the final command is given. In the following the preliminary command is printed in italics, the final command in small capitals. The explanation of what is to be done follows.

Command. — i. Squad; 2. Attention.

Recruits take position of the soldier as described above, eyes straight to the front, fixed on a point about fifteen yards off.

1. In place; 2. Rest.

Recruits take easy positions but keep one heel in place.

1. Break ranks; 2. March.

Command used in dismissing squad, platoon or company. At the final command recruits do what they like.

1. Eyes; 2. Right (or Left); 3. Front.

At the second command the eyes are turned to the right, so that the inner corner of the left eye is on a line with the buttons supposed to be in the middle of the coat or

STANDARD DRILL AND MARCHING BOOK IQ dress in front, the eyes themselves turned along the line of eyes of other recruits toward right (or left). At the third command the eyes are turned to the front again. The object is to get a perfect, alignment.

i. Right (or Left); 2. Face.

Slightly raise the right foot and the toe of the left, and turn a quarter round to the right on the left heel as a pivot, coming to rest with feet in military position at right angles to former position (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

i. Squad; 2. About; 3. Face.

At the second command turn the left foot slightly so that it will point to the front, and carry the right foot to the rear, setting it down so that it will be at right angles to the left, the hollow of the right foot three inches behind the left heel (Fig. 3). At the / third command turn on both heels so as to

Fig. 3.

face the rear; finally replacing the right heel beside the left in military position.

The length of the direct step is supposed to be twenty-four inches, of the short step fourteen inches, of the side step six inches, of the back step fourteen inches. The standard cadence is one hundred and ten steps per minute.

1. Forward; 2. March.

This command may be given when squad is at a halt, marking time, or marching short step.

At the preliminary command the weight is thrown upon the right foot, but the left knee is not bent. At the final command the left is moved smartly forward a full step. The toe should be kept down so that the entire sole of the foot gets the weight, not the heels. Turning the toes up so as to strike the ground with the heels should be avoided. As the left foot strikes the ground, the instructor cries "left," or "hep," to give the cadence and make the marching uniform. Direct forward marching should be practiced till every leg moves in exact uniformity with every other leg, as if they were wired together, or part of the same mechanism.

i. Forzvard; 2. Short step; 3. March.

Executed like the above, except that the step is only fourteen inches long. If the squad is marching forward with full step, the command for short step is given without the word "forward." If it is wished to lengthen the step from short step to full step the command is: 1. Forzvard; 2. March.

1. Side step to the right (or lef£); 2. March.

Carry the foot on right or left, according to the command, six inches in the required direction, being careful to keep the shoulders and eyes square to the front. When the first foot is planted, bring the other up to it.

i. Backward; 2. March.

At the final command step off briskly with the left foot fourteen inches to the rear; then with the right, and so on.

1. Mark time; 2. March.

Usually given when squad or company is marching. At the final command, the instant either foot comes to the ground, continue the cadence, but without changing position, each time merely bring the foot back to the standing position. Each foot is alternately advanced about half its length and brought back to its former position.

1. To the rear; 2. March.

The final command should be given as the right foot strikes the ground. Advance and plant the left foot, then turn on the balls of both feet so as to face the rear, and immediately step off with the left foot. The movement can be executed only when marching abreast.

1. Change step; 2. March.

The final command should be given as the right foot strikes the ground; the left foot is then advanced and planted, and the right is advanced so that the hollow is against the heel of the left, when the recruit steps off with the left again. If the command is given when the left foot strikes the ground, the right is advanced, the left brought up to it and the recruit steps off with the right again. 1. Squad; 2. Halt.

The command being given as either foot strikes the ground the other is brought up to it and rests in position.

Marching in column results from a combination of two of the above orders, namely:

i. Right {or left); 2. Face; 3. Forward; 4. March; or 1. By the right [or left) flank; 2. March.

the platoon

When the above movements and orders have been pretty well mastered with the small group or squad of three or four, two squads may be combined, making a platoon, and the following movements may be taught to the larger division. Eight make the best platoon for practice.

After practicing over the commands and movements described under "squad," add the following:

1. Count; 2. Twos.

The recruit oh the right counts one, the one next him counts two, the third again counts one, the fourth two, and so on alternately. Each recruit must remember his number, as in wheeling into column of twos jljl* m. m. ml m. M- No. i stands still and 1 No. 2 wheels round him

Fig -4- The same as the preced-

ing, except that the recruits count up to four, one, two, three, four, and then begin again, one, two, three, four, etc. (Fig. 5). 4 3 a 1 4 3. 2 1

1. Right (or left); 2.

Dress; 3. Front. * p

The recruit at the end w (right or left according to the command) is ~* placed a little in advance of the line. At the second command the rest advance to a point about six inches behind the new line, working up to the line by very short steps, shoulders square to the front, elbow just touching recruit on the right (or left), eyes turned to the right (or left) to see that the line is formed correctly. The eyes are kept in this direction until the command front, when they are all turned to the front.

1. Forward; 2. Guide right (or left); 3. March.

This is merely a modification of the order

"forward, march," usually given when there are a number in line. "Guide right" means that each recruit is to touch the recruit on his right very lightly with his elbow. It aids him to keep his proper distance. If no guide order is given "right" is understood.

A column in which the recruits stand one behind the other is called in military parlance a "column of files" (Fig. 6); each

Ji= SOLDIER

4 4 . 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

P= OFFICER

Fig. 6.

recruit is called a "file" (hence "rank and

file, officers and men").

Command to a column of files at a halt: i. Left; 2. Face; 3. Forward; 4. Guide

right (or left); 5. March.

On the command "face" the recruits face

to the left as previously described. Finding

themselves in line, all looking in the same

direction, they march forward abreast on

the fifth command.

Command to column of files marching: 1. By the left [or right) flank; 2. March;

3. Guide right (or left).

The command "march" should be given as

the left foot strikes the ground. The right

foot is then advanced and planted, the body is turned to the left and the left foot steps off in the new direction.

Command to platoon marching in line abreast:

i. By the right (or left) flank; 2. March.

The turn is made as in the preceding and the line marches off as a column of files, keeping at such a distance that when the command comes for forming a line again elbows will just touch. ■

Command to platoon at a halt in column of files:

1 . Forzvard; 2. Column right, or half right {or left); 3. March.

The recruit on the right wheels in the new direction indicated, either ninety degrees, or forty-five degrees (for half right), and marches off in this new direction. The others follow him, turning on exactly the same ground as he turned upon.

^ In order that this point suffer , * no deviation it is well for the ► * * * * officer giving the commands

HALF RIGHT , • i 1 1

to stand in the angle, so that each recruit will turn directly * right in front of him (Fig. 7).

FlG - 7> This movement is con-

stantly executed in fancy marches. At such times an officer cannot well stand in the angle, and it is advisable that a very large headed brass tack or tin tack, such as is used for putting on felt roofing, be driven in the floor at the point of the angle, the marchers turning just outside the tack. For a complicated drill chalk marks, tacks, or the like, may be used to indicate each essential turn, the marks being put in by exact measurement. This will greatly aid the symmetry of the work.

Command to platoon marching in line: i. Right (or left) oblique ; 2. March. Each recruit wheels half round to the right (or left according to the command), and the whole platoon marches off in an oblique direction. As the elbows will not touch, recruits must glance down the line to see that each head covers that just in advance, and that the shoulders also preserve a straight line. To resume the march in line abreast give the command: 1. Forward; 2. March. (Fig. 8.)

Fig. 8.

The command to oblique may be given when platoon is at a halt in line abreast, thus: 1. Platoon; 2. Right oblique; 3.

March. The oblique may be executed with column of files in exactly the same way and by the same commands as when in line abreast.

Command to platoon in line at a halt: i. Platoon right [or left) wheel; 2. March. The recruit at the right end of the line marks time, gradually turning. The recruit at the left of the line steps off with left foot and usual pace, marching on the arc of a circle. He should not be hurried or compelled to take unusually long or quick steps. Those in the line between the pivot and the wheel file should accommodate the length of their step to the requirements of their position, endeavoring to keep the line when the wheel has been completed, and the platoon marches off in the new direction.

Command to platoon in line at a halt, or marching:

*• straight (Fig. 9). When the turn has been made ninety degrees the command may be given to halt and dress. When the wheel can be executed perfectly the command, 1. Forward; 2.

March, may be given

STANDARD DRILL AND MARCHING BOOK 2g i. Twos right (or left) wheel; 2. March.

Each No. 1 man acts as a pivot, each No. 2 man steps off on the arc of a circle until he has reached a position at right angles with original position (Fig. 10). /•+ /* /+

Then the command may be given to halt; or forward, march. Each squad of two dresses to the left. If- the march is continued the files dress without an order; if they are halted the order to dress is given by the leader.

1. Fours right (or left) wheel; 2. March.

Each No. 1 man is a „

pivot, No. 4 wheels on an /"" arc, and the two between / f ^+ • / accommodate their pace ± k L ± k k L ± to their positions (Fig. 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 11). FlG - 11 -

These are the usual commands used in forming column of fours and column of twos.

The wheel is supposed to be ninety degrees, or a half turn; an about wheel is a complete turn, or one hundred and eighty degrees. For wheel 'in the above, about wheel may be substituted if a complete turn is desired.

When platoon is in column of twos or column of fours at a halt, and it is desired to bring them into line again the same order is given, namely:

i. Twos (or Jours) left (or right) wheel; 2. March.

The direction left or right will be just the opposite from the one used in forming column of twos or fours, and the No. 4 recruit will be the pivot, while No. 1 will wheel.

A wheel may be made with a movable pivot, the pivot recruit taking steps nine inches long instead of standing still. When the command to wheel is given to a line in march the pivot is supposed to be movable.

Columns of fours or twos may be brought into line while on the march by the order:

1. On rig Jit (or left) into line wheel; 2. March; 3. First set; 4. Halt; 5. Right; 6. Dress; 7. Front.

The first four or two (the first set) wheels to the right and advances until the command "halt," when it dresses to the right without order. The other sets keep on marching forward till the first man in the second set comes opposite the end of the first set, when the second set wheels and comes up beside the first set. When it reaches the proper point the third set wheels, and the third, fourth and so on. (See Fig. 12.)

Command to platoon in column of fours:

i. Form circle to the right (or left); 2. March.

The leader takes his stand at what he wishes to be the center of the circle. The command "march" is given just as the first four in the column comes opposite this point. This four then wheels on a movable pivot, marching in a circle around the leader. When the second four comes opposite the center of the circle it, too, wheels, and continues to march around in a circle; the third four does the same, and so on.

If the platoon is halted and it is desired to give a command to continue in a circle, order:

i. Forward in circle ; 2. March.

To bring the platoon into column again, command:

1. Circle forward into column ; 2. March.

At the final command the first set marches directly forward wherever it may be. The others continue to circle until they come to the same point, when they follow the first set into column of fours.

OFFICERS AND THEIR COMMANDS

For convenience, we may call each recruit placed at the end of a squad of four a corporal, the one on the left being the first corporal, the one on the right the second.

The first corporal of the first squad in a platoon may be called the sergeant. These two kinds of officers belong to the file.

The officer commanding a platoon is a lieutenant. He never marches with the file, nor forms any part of a set of two or four.

The officer commanding two platoons is a captain, and he gives orders to the whole company just as lower officers give orders to smaller divisions, merely substituting the word "company" for squad or platoon.

For school drills there should usually be two platoons, each with a lieutenant, and over all the captain, who is the teacher. Or it may be well on occasion for the children to choose a captain from their own number, or have the teacher appoint one, the teacher merely acting as critic.

For practical purposes a platoon is most conveniently made up of eight soldiers, but the number may be varied to six, in which case only column of twos can be formed and the fours must be dispensed with, or it may be twelve as well as eight, with no change required.

Drills are usually given by twelve, sixteen or twenty-four children. The ingenuity of the teacher on occasion will form plans for utilizing other numbers. An odd number, however, should always be avoided.

In general where girls and boys are drilled together it is well to have the girls in one platoon and the boys in another, the two platoons being encouraged to emulate each other in the accuracy of their marching.

COMPANY MANEUVERS

The military commands are useful in drilling squads and platoons, but when it comes to company maneuvers for the purposes of fancy drill the military commands are of little value. Instead, we give a series of diagrams, copies of which may be placed in the hands of the two lieutenants, and at the proper points they can give the necessary commands as previously described, the march being carried out, silent as far as the teacher is concerned, merely with signals. In most cases the movements of the two platoons are exactly complementary, and the chief duty of the teacher is to see that exact symmetry is preserved. The lead must be given to the first lieutenant, and the second lieutenant must time his or her movements exactly to correspond with the first; though the first must always be ready to adapt himself or herself to the necessities of the other. So while one is given the lead the two should be treated as equal before the school.

Fig. 14 shows a simple marching drill about a school-room or on a stage. We suppose that there is but one entrance, on the right of the audience. The marchers are divided into two equal platoons, and enter abreast in two columns of files. Column one stands still while column two marches across the rear, shown by the blank line. Just as column two comes to the left-hand corner and has turned, column one turns sharply to its own left, and the - - - -•-«

4 4 2

ENTRANCE « « I

FRONT two columns come down the stage or toward the audience, keeping perfect step and maintaining the same distance from the front. They turn, meet in the center and march back as double column, turning to right and left at rear and continuing the march.

Fig. 15 shows a room or stage with two entrances. The two columns meet in the middle and come forward abreast down the center. This will be found easier than the preceding, but the turns to right and left flanks at the front of the stage should be executed with great skill, as they are the center of observation.

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Fig. 16 shows the arrangement of a stage or room for dumb-bell drill.

The V's should

FRONT be about four

FlG - l6 - feet apart and

arranged so that the second rank will stand just behind the vacant spaces in the front rank. The V's should show the correct angles for the feet and the exact positions required.

Fig. 17 shows one method of bringing a chorus or the like on to a stage. The two columns enter opposite each other; or they may enter abreast on either side from one entrance. They march down the middle two abreast and divide in front, one going to the left and one to the right. When the leader reaches the side, on right and left, he stops, and the whole front line faces front. Those coming behind start another line right and left, and when that line is filled it faces front, while a third line is formed behind them, and so on. Such movements should be performed with military precision, as a result of military drill as already explained. Each marcher should know his rank and position in it, so that there can be no confusion. If time is too short for making each know his place, carefully instruct the end ones for the right and left of each line.

Fig. 18 shows perhaps a better way of filling the stage. The two columns march down the front two abreast . and stop. Those coming from right and left wheel at the rear and form another line from rear to front on each side of the first two lines, and so on till the stage is filledv This prevents any turning about at the front, and the positions can be reached with less confusion than in the preceding.

Fig. 19 shows practically the same movement as in the preceding, but each column to the right and left is one shorter than the

ENTRANCE «.

preceding, and an aisle is left down the middle for a few fancy marchers in costume, or the like. The wedge enables you to fill the stage creditably with a much smaller number, and gives space to the right and left at the front for special performers.

Ranks one and two should Have their positions carefully marked with chalk or the like, and they face toward the middle aisle as the fancy marchers come forward. The ranks behind them, however, continue to face the audience.

Fig. 20 shows an arrangement in a series of circles. These circles must be carefully marked in chalk or the marchers will not be able to keep them as they should. After stopping they may face directly front, or directly out from the center of the circle so that elbows and -shoulders touch, and a continuous arc is formed.

Fig. 21 shows perhaps the best arrangement of the hollow circle. The first arc is much shorter than those behind, the ends of the rear arcs coming even with the front end of the first. The marchers in the first short arc will do best to face toward the center of the circle, so that elbows and shoulders will stand together. Those in the to to to to to rear arcs may face directly front. This is one of the prettiest arrangements for a chorus.

Fig. 22 shows the simplest kind of a fancy march for a single column. Two circles are drawn on the stage, and the line follows one around to the center of the stage, when it goes off on the other, coming back to take the back portion of the first circle on the second round. An officer, or some special attraction, should be placed at the center of each circle.

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FRONT

Fig. 23 shows a more complicated march, with three entrances and three divisions, the middle division being very small and differently costumed from the others. If only one entrance is available each division may march along the rear of the stage to the proper point and theaturn front. First, divisions i and 2 proceed toward the front abreast at either side of the stage. The distance between the marchers should be extended to about three feet. Turning toward the middle from right and left each throws his right foot as far to the left as possible, then his left foot as far to the right as possible, the feet being lifted well up in each case. This produces a sort of zigzag dance movement. When the lines finally meet in the middle tjiey zigzag in and out, the first two passing each other by stepping to the right, the second two by stepping to the left of each other, and so on, the zigzagging being no more than one long step to right or left. To keep the march in order draw a single line straight across the front of the stage. The marchers will then go first to the right of this line, then to the left, crossing it at about every third step. When finally the divisions i and 2 have passed each other, they march around the small circles on either side and just as the rear marchers leave the front and middle portion of the stage empty, division 3 comes down the middle, two abreast, and may divide and deploy on either side of a small circle between and in front of the other two. They will seem to meet directly in front, but instead of meeting they will pass each other, one portion marching on a circle wholly within and slightly smaller than the other. The four circles, all moving in opposite directions, will produce an apparently intricate effect. The marchers on the side circles should close up to ordinary marching distances after performing the interlacing movement, and this is accomplished by the leader marking time just at the rear of the stage until the others can close the line up. An order or a slight signal will indicate to the leader when to proceed forward at full step.

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FRONT

Fig. 24 shows a variation of the military marching in circles by fours. The two columns meet at the middle, the first four on either side turning sharply to the front and proceeding forward around the circle to left and to right, while the columns of files continue toward each other omitting the first four on either side till they meet again, when a second set of fours turns front and joins the circle by fours. A large stage or open ground is required for this.

Fig. 25 shows a very pretty winding movement suitable for a Maypole march, or the like. The center is fixed. A single column of files enters on the right (of the audience)

and marches toward the center of the stage from position i, circling on a screw-like line

V ENTRANCE

FRONT until the column extends to the very center. It should be long enough to make a solid mass (very nearly), the rear coming up just at the back of the stage. When the leader of the line has reached the center, all the marchers may perform the military movement "about face," so that the rear of line becomes the head. (See also Fig. 31 for a turn by forward movement only.) This new leader takes the line toward the entrance, but turns toward the front of the stage in position 2, following the line across the front of the stage to the rear again and on to position 3. This brings the line to the same screw-like circle, but marked in the opposite direction, and the march continues until the second leader has reached the center. These opposite circles must be marked in chalk of different colors, and the lines circling inward should be far enough apart so that the marching will be free and easy. This march will do very well for an out-of-doors performance — in fact plenty of room is essential for good effect. While this involution is going on there may be attractions or performances at either side.

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Fig. 26 shows a marching drill in which two divisions march in column back and forth across their own halves of the stage, finally, turning and marching back along the sides. This may easily be varied by those in one division entering one rank farther front than the other. Then if each is just long enough to form one line across the stage the two divisions may continue past each other; then each turning to the front and advancing two ranks, and again turning and crossing stage so as to repass each other. This latter makes a good movement for a flag drill.

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Fig. 27 shows much the same movement as Fig. 26, but up and down the stage instead of across.

Fig. 28 shows two divisions forming companies of six on either side of the stage, turning to face each other, and advancing toward each other till they nearly meet, then returning by a back step. This chassez march is excellent for a wand drill.