The Plattsburg Manual
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1st Exercise
Involving practically every important muscle in the body. From first position spring to second position; instantly return to first position and continue. Be light on your feet. Alight on your toes. Begin with a limited number of times. Day by d... A Disciplined Soldier
You will be expected to become quickly amenable both mentally and physically to discipline. A clear conception on your part of what drills are disciplinary in character and what discipline really is, will help you to become a disciplined soldier. ... A Final Word
Now it is proper to consider your relation to your immediate superiors. You have no business commanding unless you have first learned how to obey. The finer the training and caliber of an officer, the more sensitive is he to the wishes of his co... A Model Order For An Advance
Field Orders Hq. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, No. 6 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Three inch Leavenworth 20 Aug. '08, 8 P. M. Map (1) Two ... Advice Regarding Habits
Your life in camp in regard to food, exercise, hours of sleep, surroundings, and comforts, will differ greatly from that you lead as a civilian. You will submit your body to a sudden, severe, physical test. In order to prepare your body for this c... Advice To Officers
A company of infantry is composed of three officers and one hundred and fifty non-commissioned officers and privates. What a shame to have a private the mental and moral superior of those above him! The average American makes a first-rate soldie... Alignments
To align the squad, the base file or files having been established: 1. Right (left), 2. DRESS, 3. FRONT. At the command dress, all men place the left hand upon the hip (whether dressing to the right or left); each man, except the base file, when... Ammunition
An infantry soldier goes into battle carrying 220 rounds of rifle ammunition. He habitually carries in his belt 100 rounds and when a fight is imminent he gets 120 rounds (2 bandoliers) from his combat train. He keeps 30 rounds in the right pocket... Army Slang
The following army slang is universally employed: Bunkie--the soldier who shares the shelter half or tent of a comrade in the field. A bunkie looks after his comrade's property in the event the latter is absent. Doughboy--... Articles Of War
The Army is governed by the Articles of War, which can be found in the Army Regulations. Any laws, orders, et cetera, pertaining to the Army must not violate directly or indirectly any of the Articles of War. It is therefore desirable that each Re... Artillery
The chief duty of the artillery is to support the infantry. It does this in three ways: 1st, By firing at the hostile infantry. 2d, By putting out of action the hostile artillery so that it cannot fire at the infantry. 3d, By demolishing the obsta... Assumption Of The Enemy
When reliable information of the enemy cannot be obtained, it must be assumed that he has sense and will act with excellent judgment. ... Attack And Defense
The European War has demonstrated more clearly than ever before two points in attack and defense. First, no people, or group of people, can claim a monopoly on bravery. They all move forward and give up their lives with the same utter abandon. C... Back Step
Being at a halt or mark time: 1. Backward, 2. MARCH. Take steps of 15 inches straight to the rear. The back step is used for short distances only and is not executed in double time. If at order arms, the back step is executed at trail witho... Bayonet
Importance of the Bayonet. The infantry soldier is armed with a bayonet. He relies mainly on fire action to disable the enemy, but he should know that it is often necessary for him to cross bayonets with the enemy. Therefore he must be instructed ... Bombs And Hand Grenades
The present European War has revived the use of hand grenades and bombs. A certain number of soldiers in each British and French battalion are trained as grenade throwers. Their principal weapon is a bucket or bag of grenades or bombs. They operat... Books
We recommend that all officers, non-commissioned officers and all privates who propose to work for advancement read the following books. All can probably be obtained from the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. Any other military books... Camp Sanitation
In camp you are really your brother's keeper. It is the duty of every man to keep the camp clean, sanitary, and livable. Constantly bear in mind that a great number of men are living together in a very small area; that food is being prepared in the ... Camping
Two men tent together--the front rank man and his rear rank file. Alter pitching your tent, get inside and level off the ground. Cut a drain around the tent to carry the water off; this should be done even in pleasant weather. In case you do not t... Care Of The Feet
The infantryman's feet are his means of transportation. If you care for them properly, you will be rewarded. 1. Wash and dry the feet carefully and put on clean socks as soon as practicable after getting into camp. 2. Wash out the socks you h... Cavalry
This very important arm is the eye with which the general sees for many miles to the front and flank. In an advance it pushes ahead, combs the country for the enemy, disperses his cavalry, and thus protects the infantry in the rear. It locates the... Change Step
Being in march; 1. Change step, 2. MARCH. At the command march, given as the right foot strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot; plant the toe of the right foot near the heel of the left and step off with the left foot. The change... Close Order Drills
For several days after reporting you will undergo many hours of close order drill. You will ask yourself, Why is all this mental and physical strain necessary when these exercises are not used in battle? The answer is: they are disciplinary exerci... Correct Procedure In Giving The Main Part Of A Field Order
1st. Give the information of the enemy and of our own supporting troops (i.e., those who may come to our assistance in case of need) to your subordinates that will give them a clear understanding of the problem and enable them intelligently to coo... Definitions
Deploy. To extend the front. A squad deploys when it goes As skirmishers. A company likewise deploys when it goes from column into line. File. Two men, the front rank man and the corresponding man in the rear rank. The front rank man is the fil... Department Commander's Report
At the end of each calendar year department commanders and chiefs of staff corps and departments compile lists of members of the Officers' Reserve Corps under their command, showing: (a) Name, rank, age, and address. (b) Amount of instr... Dress
The uniform you will wear stands for Duty, Honor, and Country. You should not disgrace it by the way you wear it or by your conduct any more than you would trample the flag of the United States of America under foot. You must constantly bear in mi... Employment Of Air Craft On And Near The Firing Line In The Theater Of Operation
Airplanes will move far out, perhaps hundreds of miles, in front of our most advanced cavalry for the purpose of gathering general information of large bodies of the enemy's forces. This is called Strategical Reconnaissance. Other airplanes do mor... Equipment
During the hike your equipment for living will be limited to: (1) your pack (things that you carry on your back), (2) a few authorized articles which are placed in a squad laundry bag (called a surplus kit), and (3) a blanket roll. Contents of th... Esprit De Corps
Have too much esprit de corps to complain of the length of the march, or to kick about the dust on the road. Be self-controlled. Don't boast of your ability to march on forever. Such remarks are depressing to a tired comrade who is not as physical... Examinations
Each applicant for a commission in the Reserve Corps will be given a rigid physical examination. Make certain that you can pass such an examination. Go to your family physician and get him to examine you. The examinations for Reserve Corps commi... Examples
Suppose the company to be in line. In executing: 1. Squads right. The guides go to the left flank. 2. Right by squads. The guides go to the left flank. 3. Squads left. The guides go to the right flank. 4. Left by squads. ... Extended Order Drills
As soon as your progress in close order is sufficiently advanced, you will be given extended order drill, which will teach you the formations used in battle, and how a firing line is controlled. They are executed at ease. We should know the mea... Eyes Right Or Left
1. Eyes, 2. RIGHT (LEFT), 3. FRONT. At the command right, turn the head to the right oblique, eyes fixed on the line of eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same rank. At the command front, turn the head and eyes to the front. Notice th... Facing Or Marching To The Rear
Being in line, line of platoons, or in column of platoons or squads, to face or march to the rear: 1. Squads right (left) about, 2. MARCH; or, 1. Squads right (left) about, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT. Executed by each squad as described in th... Facings
To the flank: 1. Right (left), 2. FACE. Raise slightly the left heel and right toe; face to the right, turning on the right heel, assisted by a slight pressure on the ball of the left foot; place the left foot by the side of the right. Left fa... False Information
Unless instructions have been given to spread false information, all persons connected with the military service are forbidden to discuss the military situation, plans, movements, etc., with, or in the presence of, civilians of any age, sex or nat... Field Exercises
These exercises, as well as combat exercises, are for instruction in duties incident to campaign. To receive the maximum benefit from them you must know the assumed situation of each exercise. ... Field Orders
Field orders, whether written or oral, should follow a certain form. This decreases the probability of any vital part being left out and increases the probability of the receiver or reader understanding it. In the following form for an advance, ... Fifth Movement On Right (left) Into Line
Being in column of platoons or squads, to form line on right or left: 1. On right (left) into line, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT, 5. FRONT. (On right [left] into line, means turn in the direction that is on your right and get into line. You hav... Final Suggestions
Don't be profane or tell questionable stories to your bunkies or around the company. There is a much greater number of silent and unprotesting men in camp than is generally supposed, to whom this is offensive. Keep everything on a high plane. ... Fire
There are three kinds of fire: (1) Volley Fire. Every one fires at the command FIRE. It is used at funerals and occasionally in the first part of an action when the enemy presents a large, compact target. (2) Fire At Will. In this each soldie... Fire Control
We have just described what the captain directs. Now we must put his directions (orders) into effect. This is done through his platoon leaders, assisted by the platoon guides and the corporals. 1st, The platoon leaders point out and describe their... Fire Direction
A company that cannot start firing or stop firing, that cannot fire faster or slower, that cannot distribute equally its fire over an opposing target, that cannot switch its fire from one place to another and make bull's-eyes, would be as unsucces... Fire Discipline
Now we come to the individual private on the firing line. All of the above measures for efficiency will come to but little unless the man with the gun can understand and do what he is directed to do. This training is called Fire Discipline. Fir... Fire Superiority
Do not study this chapter until you begin your extended order drills. If the authors of this text were requested to select for you the most important of all information that you will receive during your instruction at a training camp, they wou... For An Advance
Field Orders (Title) No. ---- (Place) (Reference to map used) (Date and Hour) (1) (Information of enemy and of our Troops ... Fourth Movement Column Right
Being in column of squads, to change direction: 1. Column right (left), 2. MARCH. At the second command the front rank of the leading squad turns to the right on moving pivot as in the School of the Squad; the other ranks, without command, turn... Friends
There are a few men in all companies who play, loaf, and who are constantly in trouble. As the good men in each company will not become friendly with them, they seek their acquaintances among the new men on whom they have a baneful influence. We w... General Advice
The United States is divided geographically into military departments with a general officer commanding each department. The departments and their headquarters are as follows: (1) The Northeastern Department, with headquarters at Boston, ... General Advice
To become a first-class drillmaster is desirable and necessary. But, being one, you are not to be intrusted with the command of troops in the field unless you have gone much farther than that. To become an excellent drillmaster means simply that y... General Ideas And Rules For Solving Military Problems
The cave man knocked over his foe with a rude club. The operation is greatly refined to-day. The technique of war changes with the ages, but human nature remains the same. Whether with grenade or gas, from submarine or aeroplane, a man after all p... General Information Concerning The Officers' Reserve Corps
An officer in the Reserve Corps cannot, without his consent, be called into service in a lower grade than that held by him in the Reserve Corps. When a Reserve Officer reaches the age limit fixed for appointment or reappointment in the grade in... General Principles Of Target Practice
The most thrilling experience you will have at a training camp will probably come when you step up to the firing line on the target range to fire your first shot. The great majority of new men grow pale, become nervous, lose their calm and poi... Guard Duty
Guards are used in camp or garrison to preserve order, to protect property, and to enforce police regulations. The commander of the guard is an officer or non-commissioned officer. He performs his duties under the supervision of the officer of the... Halts
Halts are made for the purpose of resting. Take advantage of the opportunity by sitting down at once along the side of the road near the place where your squad will form when the march is resumed. Remain seated until the command to fall in is give... How To Clean A Rifle And Bayonet
Get a rag and rub the heavy grease off; then get a soft pine stick, pointed at one end, and with this point remove the grease from the cracks, crevices and corners. Clean the bore from the breech. When the heavy grease has been removed, the metal ... Infantry
The infantry is the principal and most important arm, which is charged with the main work on the field of battle and it usually decides the final issue of the combat. (Field Service Regulations.) The role (duty or job) of the infantry, whether off... Inoculations And Vaccination
As soon as you become a member of the army, whether as a private or as an officer, you will receive the typhoid prophylaxis inoculation and be vaccinated against smallpox. ... Intelligence Section General Staff
There is a special committee of the Great General Staff called the Intelligence Section, whose business it is to weigh and classify all information sent to it. Members of this committee are placed on duty with large organizations (for instance, a ... Intrenchments
Ordinarily infantry intrenches itself whenever it is compelled to halt for a considerable time in the presence of the enemy. (Infantry Drill Regulations.) Trenches are constructed with a view of giving cover which will diminish losses, but they mu... Junior Division
A junior division of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps may be established at any institution to which an army officer has been detailed as the professor of military science and tactics, and which cannot meet the necessary requirements for the s... Loadings And Firings
The commands for loading and firing are the same whether standing, kneeling, or lying down. The firings are always executed at a halt. When kneeling or lying down in double rank, the rear rank does not load, aim, or fire. The instruction in f... Machine Guns
Before the present European War, machine guns were classified as emergency weapons. It was not believed that they could remain long in action, because they would soon be silenced by hostile fire (artillery and infantry). It was recommended, theref... Mail
Mail is most often delayed because there is not sufficient information for the Postmaster on the envelope. The delivery of your mail will be delayed unless your letters are sent to the company and the regiment to which you belong. Therefore, prepa... Making Up Your Pack
Immediately after reveille, take down your tent and make up your pack. Place your extra blankets on the pile with those of the other members of your squad. Make up your surplus kit bundle and put it in the surplus kit bag. ... Manual Of Arms
To acquire proficiency in the Manual of Arms, you should practice, practice, and practice. Position of order arms standing, i.e., the position of attention under arms. No. 1. Arm and hands hang naturally. Right hand holding piece between thu... Marching Rules
1. Adjust your equipment, if necessary, at the first halt. 2. Do not leave the column without the express permission of your company company commander. 3. Keep in your proper place in the column. 4. keep forty inches from the man in front o... Meeting Engagements
When two hostile forces suddenly meet we have what is termed a meeting engagement. Very little or no reconnaissance is possible. There is an absence of trenches. Both sides deploy rapidly. The smaller the force the more frequently will it fight a ... Military Correspondence
An official letter should refer to one subject only. In writing to the War Department address your letter to The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. The United States (including colonies) is divided into the following departments:... Military Maps
Definition. A military map is a drawing made to represent some section of the country, showing the features that are of military importance, such as roads, bridges, streams, houses, and hills. The map must be so drawn that you can tell the distanc... Miscellaneous
1. Take great pains each morning to make a neat, small and solid pack and strap it up securely. 2. Don't put your pack on until ordered to do so by your company commander or first sergeant. 3. Get your pack properly adjusted. 4. Don't take y... Miscellaneous Information
For convenience, military information is considered under two heads, namely (1) that collected in time of peace by the body of army experts in Washington called the General Staff; and (2) that obtained by troops in the field after war has begun. T... Night Operations
By employing night operations troops make use of the cover of darkness to minimize losses from hostile fire, to escape observation, to gain time. (Infantry Drill Regulations.) They are dangerous because control is difficult and confusion is freque... Obstacles
The main object in placing obstacles in front of a defensive position is to delay the enemy while he is under the defenders' fire, and thus make his advance as difficult as possible. To accomplish this result they must be so placed that the enemy ... Officers Reserver Corps
To make it possible to fill the gaps made in the Regular Army, by the heavy loss of commissioned officers which is inevitable in time of war and to make it possible to train large volunteer armies which are called into existence when war is immi... Physical Exercise
The greatest problem you will have to solve will be that of making your body do the work required. Every one else will be doing exactly what you are doing, and you have too much pride to want to take even a shorter step than the man by your side. ... Position Of A Soldier At Attention
No. 1. Eyes to the front. Hands hang naturally. Rest weight of the body equally on feet. Feet turned out making angles of 45 deg.. No. 2. Head erect. Shoulders down and back. Chest out. Stomach up. Thumb along the seams of trousers. Knees straig... Practise March Or Hike
The manoeuver practice march will be the most instructive, the most pleasant, and one of the hardest periods of your service. You will return from it proud of the hardships you have undergone and capable of speaking with authority on many practi... Preparing Your Bed
After you have pitched your tent, get some hay, grass, straw, or leaves and cover the floor. Place one poncho on this, then one or two blankets on top of the poncho to sleep on, and use the remaining blankets as cover. Spread the other poncho over... Property
In the absence of regulations on the subject, each Reserve Officer should own a good watch, a pair of field glasses, a compass, and a note book. ... Quick Time
Being at a halt, to march forward in quick time: 1. Forward, 2. MARCH. At the command forward, shift the weight of the body to the right leg, left knee straight. At the command march, move the left foot smartly straight forward 30 inches from... Reports To Be Made
Officers in the Officers' Reserve Corps are required to report at once to the Adjutant General of the Department in which they live or to the heads of the Staff Corps or Departments to which they may belong of any permanent change of address. If a... Route Step And At Ease
The column of squads is the habitual column of route, but route step and at ease are applicable to any marching formation. To march at route step: 1. Route step, 2. MARCH. Sabers are carried at will or in the scabbard; the men carry their pieces... Rules For Deployments
The command guide right (left or center) indicates the base squad for the deployment; if in line it designates the actual right (left or center) squad; if in column the command guide right (left) designates the leading squad, and the command guide c... Rules For Guides
A guide is a noncommissioned officer or a private upon whom the company regulates its march. It is not difficult for an inexperienced man learn, with a little practice, the duties and the correct positions of a guide. Remember the rule of thumb... Rules Of Conduct For Camp Life
The first few days will be easy and profitable if you will read carefully and adhere to the following plan of procedure: 1. Get up at the first note of reveille and get quickly into proper uniform. 2. Get within two or three feet ... Saluting
The military salute is universal. It is at foundation but a courteous recognition between two individuals of their common fellowship in the same honorable profession, the profession of arms. Regulations require that it be rendered by both the seni... Saluting
Saluting distance is that within which recognition is easy. In general it does not exceed thirty paces. A junior, who is mounted, dismounts before addressing a senior who is dismounted. If the senior is mounted the junior does not dismount when ... School Of The Company
The company in line is formed in double rank with the men arranged, as far as practicable, according to height from right to left, the tallest on the right. The original division into squads is effected by the command: Count off. The squads, su... School Of The Soldier
Based on the Infantry Drill Regulations Success in battle is the ultimate object of all military training; hence the excellence of an organization is judged by its field efficiency. Your instruction will be progressive in character, and will h... Second Case
Now suppose the company is in column of squads at a halt. It is desired to form a skirmish line to the front: 1. As skirmishers, guide right (left), 2. MARCH. At the command march, the corporal of the first, or leading squad, deploys his squad ... Selection Of A Camping Ground
Suppose that you were sent on ahead of troops on the march to select a camp ground for them, what big ideas should you bear in mind. 1. The ground should be large enough for the troops without crowding. In case of rain it should be easily draine... Senior Division
A senior division of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps may be established at any university and college requiring of its students four years of collegiate study for a degree, and at essentially military schools which, as a result of annual insp... Shelter
When troops are sheltered under canvas (in tents), they are in camp. When they are resting on the ground without tents (for instance, on the firing line the night before or during a battle), they are in what is called bivouac. When they occupy bui... Side Step
Being at a halt or mark time: 1. Right (left) step, 2. MARCH. Carry and plant the right foot 15 inches to the right; bring the left foot beside it and continue the movement in the cadence of quick time. The side step is used for short distance... Sixth Movement Right Front Into Line
Being in column of platoons or squads, to form line to the front: 1. Right (left) front into line, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT, 5. FRONT. (Right [left] front into line means move to the right of the front and get into line. It is necessary to ... Some General Hints
Clear and decisive orders are the logical result of definite and sure decisions. To guage[B] a man's caliber read his orders. You must not be hazy and indefinite in your order. You must be clear and definite. Be careful about your phrasing and e... Stack And Take Arms
The subject of stack and take arms is less important than the rest of this chapter. It is difficult to be learned from a book. Your company commander will explain it to you. It is given here to serve as a reference. Being in line at a halt: STA... Steps And Marchings
All steps and marchings executed from a halt, except right step, begin with the left foot. The length of the full step in quick time is 30 inches, measured from heel to heel, and the cadence is at the rate of 120 steps per minute. The length ...