_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider
himself as being Sergeant Roberts. The incidents contained in the
situation have transpired just as indicated. You were marching along the
road; you saw Crane and Hanson take cover and point in the direction of
the enemy; you joined them here; you see the enemy (_explain what the
enemy is doing_). It is now up to you to make a decision as to what you
are going to do and proceed to do it. Before going into the solution of
the problem I want to make a few remarks on the conduct of the
operations of a point.
“The real work of the advance guard begins when it gets in contact with
the enemy. All formation and all operations are designed to insure
success when this event happens. The point is the first element that
meets the enemy and success or failure may depend upon what is done by
this small body. The big idea is that we must get the jump on the enemy.
We must lead and make him follow. In other words, we must take the
offensive for it is only by offensive action that military success is
gained.
“The commander of the point of an advance guard must be on the lookout
for the enemy all the time. He must continually look ahead and dope out
what he is going to do if the enemy should suddenly appear in this or
that place.
“Sergeant Roberts has been doing this very thing and the proper action
is plain to him. Let us see if it is plain to you.”