Fix or Unfix Bayonets

The command to Fix or Unfix Bayonets is given from Order Arms only. The movement is executed in a military manner but not in cadence.

NOTE: The bayonet scabbard is worn on the left side with the tip of the scabbard on line with the trouser leg seam and the barrel ring to the front.

a. To Fix Bayonets, the command is Fix, BAYONETS. On the command of execution BAYONETS, grasp the rifle barrel with the right hand, raise the rifle slightly, and place the
butt of the rifle between the feet, with the magazine well to the front. Grasp the rifle barrel with the left hand and move the muzzle to the left front. With the right hand, unsnap the
scabbard securing strap and withdraw the bayonet. Keeping the eyes on the bayonet point, turn the point skyward and attach the bayonet to the rifle. To engage the bayonet stud on the rifle with the base of the bayonet, grasp the handle, apply downward pressure until a click is heard, and then apply limited upward pressure to ensure that the bayonet is seated securely.

Resnap the scabbard securing strap with the right hand and then come to Order Arms.

b. To Unfix Bayonets, the command is Unfix, BAYONETS. On the command of execution BAYONETS, grasp the rifle barrel with the right hand at the handle of the bayonet and place the rifle butt between the feet with the magazine well to the front. Move the muzzle to the left with the left hand and secure it. 

Unsnap the scabbard securing strap with the right hand, then grasp the bayonet handle with the left hand and release the bayonet from the rifle muzzle with the left hand. Keeping the eyes on the bayonet point, return the bayonet to the scabbard and insert it with the barrel ring facing to the front. 

Resnap the scabbard securing strap and come to Order Arms. For safety, if the bayonet is difficult to remove from the rifle,
stick the bayonet point into the marching surface, bend over, and depress the catch mechanism with the left hand while pulling upward on the rifle with the right hand.

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.

Stack Arms

This is great preparation for Basic Training. Right out of the Drill and Ceremonies Manual.

Execute Stack Arms using the following procedures:

a. Stack Arms is executed from Order Arms only. It may be executed while at Normal Interval in a line (squad) or a column formation. Stack Arms is not a precise movement; however, it is executed in a military manner.

b. The leader designates the stackmen by numbers (2-5-8) when in a line formation, orby squad (second or third) when in a column formation. After the stackmen have been designated, the leader then commands Prepare, SLINGS.

c. On the command SLINGS, each stackman places the butt of his rifle on his right hip and cradles it in the crook of his right arm. He then adjusts the sling keeper to form a 2-inch loop next to the upper sling swivel. As soon as he has prepared the loop, he returns to Order Arms.

d. When all stackmen have returned to Order Arms, the leader commands Stack, ARMS. On the command ARMS, each stackman places his rifle directly in front of and centered on his body with the sling facing to the front. The heel of the rifle butt is on the marching surface on line with the toes of his shoes. He grasps the rifle by the handguard with his left hand. The first two fingers of the left hand hold the inner part of the loop against the rifle. He reaches across the front of the rifle with the right hand, grasps the outer part of the loop, and holds it open for the insertion of the other rifles. He holds the rifle vertical at all
times (1, Figure C-5, page C-6).

e. On the command ARMS, the men to the left and right of the stackman perform the following movements simultaneously:

(1) The man on the stackman’s left raises and centers his rifle in front of his body so that his right hand is shoulder high and the rifle is about 4 inches from his chest, with the sling to the front. He then grasps the rifle with his left hand at the small of the stock and lowers both arms, holding the weapon in a horizontal position (1, Figure C-5, page C-6).

(2) The man on the stackman’s right raises and centers his rifle, wrist shoulder high, with the sling facing the front. He then grasps the rifle with his left hand directly below his
right hand, and, in the most convenient manner, grasps the rifle with the right hand at the small of the stock. He then lowers both arms, holding the rifle stock. He then lowers both arms, holding the rifle in a horizontal position (1, Figure C-5, page C-6).

(3) As soon as both men have completed these movements, each moves the foot nearest the stackman 18 inches (Half Left or Right) toward the stackman. In a continuing motion, the man on the stackman’s left inserts the muzzle of his rifle into the loop held by the stackman until the bayonet stud protrudes past the far end of the loop (2, Figure C-5, page
C-6). He holds his rifle in that position until the man on the stackman’s right inserts the muzzle of his rifle through the loop in the same manner and above the muzzle of the rifle of
the left man.

f. When both rifles have been inserted into the loop, the men on each side of the stackman swing the butts of their rifles out and down to the marching surface until the stack is tight with the (two) rifle butts on line and about 2 feet from the baseline.

g. After necessary adjustments have been made, the three men come to Attention (3, Figure C-5).

h. Extra rifles are passed to the nearest stack on the right. As each rifle is passed, it is grasped at the upper part of the handguard with the right hand. Then, with the rifle held
vertical, it is passed with fully extended arm to the right front. The man on the right grasps the rifle at the balance with his left hand, brings the rifle to the center of his body, and regrasps it at the upper part of the handguard with his right hand. This action continues until the stackman receives the rifle and places it on the stack with his right hand as nearly vertical as possible. He places the rifles on the stack with the slings away from the stack (if the second squad is the stack squad, extra rifles are passed to the left).

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.

Traps and Snares-The Ranger Handbook

For an unarmed survivor or evader, or when the sound of a rifle shot could be a problem, trapping or snaring wild game is a good alternative. Several well placed traps have the potential to catch much more game than a Ranger with a rifle is likely to shoot.

a. To be effective with any type of trap or snare, you must

• Know the species of animal you intend to catch.

• Know how to construct a proper trap.

• Avoid alarming the prey with signs of your presence.

b. There are no catchall traps you can set for all animals. You must determine what species are in a given area and set your traps specifically with those animals in mind. Look for the following:

• Runs and trails.

• Tracks.

• Droppings.

• Chewed or rubbed vegetation.

• Nesting or roosting sites.

• Feeding and watering areas.