Section III. INSPECTIONS

This section discusses the procedures used to conduct inspections for a company drill.

8-18. BASIC INFORMATION
The following basic information applies to conducting inspections for a company drill. Company Drill

a. The company has one prescribed formation for inspecting personnel and equipment in ranks—company in line with platoons in line. When inspecting crew-served weapons and
vehicles, the personnel are normally positioned to the rear of the formation with the operator (gunner) standing by his vehicle (weapon).

NOTES: 1. If the commander is not scheduled to receive or inspect the company, the first sergeant and platoon sergeants remain at their posts and execute company drill from their posts. For continuity purposes, the term “first sergeant” may also be used to denote the commander, just as “platoon
sergeant” may be used to denote the platoon leader when they are executing drill from their posts. If the commander is inspecting, he and the platoon leaders execute the same as described below.

2. Manual of arms movements for Soldiers armed with the M249, shotgun, or pistol are outlined in Appendix E.

b. The first sergeant may conduct an in-quarters (barracks) inspection to include personal appearance, individual weapons, field equipment, displays, maintenance, and
sanitary conditions.

c. When field equipment is to be inspected, it should be displayed as shown in Figure 8-5, page 8-18, (as a guide). Additional equipment not shown, or different models of the
equipment, should be arranged in a uniform manner  established by the local commander.

How to March, Army Style

This basic marching information pertains to all marching movements.

a.   All marching movements executed from the Halt are initiated from the Position of Attention.

b.   Except for Route Step March  and At Ease March,  all marching movements are executed while marching at Attention. Marching at Attention is the combination of the Position of Attention and the procedures for the prescribed step executed simultaneously.

c.   When executed from the Halt, all steps except Right Step begin with the left foot.(See Chapter 3, paragraph 3-1a and paragraph 4-15a.)

d.   For short-distance marching movements, the commander may designate the numberof steps forward, backward, or sideward by giving the appropriate command: One step to the right (left), MARCH; or, Two steps backward (forward), MARCH. On the command of execution  MARCH,  step  
off  with  the  appropriate  foot,  and  halt  automatically  after completing the number of steps designated. Unless otherwise specified, when directed to execute steps forward, the steps will be 30-inch steps.

e.   All marching movements are executed in the cadence of Quick Time (120 steps per minute), except the 30-inch step, which may be executed in the cadence of 180 steps per minute on the command Double Time, MARCH.

f.   A step is the prescribed distance from one heel to the other heel of a marching Soldier.

g.   All 15-inch steps are executed for a short distance only.

Drill and Ceremonies

3-8. INFLECTION
Inflection is the rise and fall in pitch and the tone changes of the voice.

a. The preparatory command is the command that indicates movement. Pronounce each preparatory command with a rising inflection. The most desirable pitch, when beginning a
preparatory command, is near the level of the natural speaking voice. A common fault with beginners is to start the preparatory command in a pitch so high that, after employing a rising inflection for the preparatory command, it is impossible to give the command of execution with clarity or without strain. A good rule to remember is to begin a command near the natural pitch of the voice.

b. The command of execution is the command that indicates when a movement is to be executed. Give it in a sharper tone and in a slightly higher pitch than the last syllable of the preparatory command. It must be given with plenty of snap. The best way to develop a command voice is to practice.

c. In combined commands, such as FALL IN and FALL OUT, the preparatory command and command of execution are combined. Give these commands without inflection and with the uniform high pitch and loudness of a normal command of
execution.

INSPECTION ARMS

Figure C-4

Inspection Arms with the M14 rifle (Figure C-4) is executed in five counts.
     a. Counts one and two are the same as with the M16 -series rifle (Port Arms). On count three, release the small of the stock and move the right hand forward (fingers extended and joined, thumb on the opposite side of the receiver). Place the knife edge on the hand in contact with the operating rod handle. On count four, press the operating rod handle sharply to the rear and lock the bolt to the rear by pressing the bolt lock with the thumb. At the same time, lower the head and eyes to check the receiver. On count five, raise the head and eyes back to the front and regrasp the small of the stock with the right hand, assuming the Inspection Arms position.
     b. Ready, Port, ARMS is the only command that is given from Inspection Arms. On the command Ready, relax the grip of the right hand and hook the top of the forefinger to the rear. On the command Port, release the operating rod handle (allowing the bolt to go forward) and place the forefinger on the trigger. On the command of execution ARMS, pull the trigger and come to Port Arms.

Section I. MANUAL OF ARMS—M16-SERIES RIFLE

This section contains procedures for executing the manual of arms with the M16-series rifle (Figure 5-1) in conjunction with individual and unit drill movements.

The following are basic procedures that apply to the M16-series rifle.

a. At the Halt, all movements are initiated from Order Arms or Sling Arms, which are the Positions of Attention with the rifle.

b. Al l precision movements are executed in quick-time cadence.

c. For drill purposes, the magazine is not carried in the rifle. When performing duty requiring the use of the magazine, the rifle is carried at Sling Arms.

d. Th e command Port, ARMS must be given before the command for Double Time.

e. Facings, alignments, and short-distance marching movements are executed from Order Arms or Sling Arms. When these movements are commanded while at Order Arms, automatically raise the rifle about 1 inch off the marching surface on the command of execution. When the movement has been completed, automatically return the rifle to Order Arms.

f. Facing movements are executed from Order Arms or Sling Arms. When a Facing is necessary to establish the direction of march, the facing movement is executed before the command for the manual of arms. After a marching movement has been completed, Order, ARMS or Sling, ARMS is commanded before the command for the facing movement.

g. Ready, Port, ARMS must be commanded following Inspection Arms and before any other movements can be commanded.

h. Port Arms is the key position assumed in most manual of arms movements from one position to another except Right Shoulder Arms from Order Arms and Order Arms from Right Shoulder Arms.

i. Manual of arms movements are a combination of the Position of Attention and the procedures for the prescribed movement. Most manual of arms movements are executed with the head, eyes, and body as in the Position of Attention.

j. Sling Arms is the appropriate position assumed to carry the rifle while marching in most situations. Port Arms is only used when slings are unavailable or unless specifically required by local conditions.

NOTES:

1. Paragraphs 5-2 through 5-10 refer to slings tight. However, all individual and unit drill movements may be executed with slings loose except when executing Fix and Unfix Bayonets.

2. Th e manual of arms movements for the M14, M1903/M1917, and M4 carbine are basically the same as for the M16. The movements for the

M14 are fully described in Appendix B; the movements for the

M1903/M1917 are fully described in Appendix C. The movements for the

M4 carbine are fully described in Appendix D.