_The Director_: “We will now go forward to the point where the support
of the advance guard is halted on the road. How far would that be,
Captain James?”
_Captain James_: “I should say that the support should be about 500
yards in advance of the main body of the battalion.”
The class is now conducted about 500 yards down the road to the place
where the support of the advance guard is supposed to be halted.
_The Director_: “Before proceeding further with the problem it is
necessary for us to decide upon the formation of the advance guard at
this time. Just what do you think the formation would be, Captain
James?”
_Captain James_: “The support would be right here in column of squads on
the road. It would consist of the company (less one platoon and two
connecting files). About 400 yards farther down the road would be the
advance party, consisting of one platoon, from which there would be a
point of one squad, about 150 yards farther to the front.”[9]
_The Director_: “I think we can all agree on those dispositions and
proceed to the solution of our problem based on them. Now, let each
member of the class consider himself to be Captain E, commanding the
advance guard. You have attended the assembly of officers at the head of
the main body and received the major’s orders. You have now returned to
the company and are ready to go ahead with your part of the operation,
that of posting the outpost. Just how are you going about the task that
has been allotted to you? Captain Hodges, tell us what you would do.”