_The Director_: “We are now ready to issue Lieutenant M’s order for the
establishment of support No. 1. Captain Hodges, please tell us the first
and second paragraphs of the order.”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would tell the men about where the enemy is and all
I know about our own troops and then tell them what we are going to do.”
_The Director_: “All right. Now, assume that you are Lieutenant M, and
the rest of us here are the members of your platoon. Put all you have
said in the form of an order to us.”
_Captain Hodges_: “You want me to do everything I would do if I were
Lieutenant M?”
_The Director_: “Exactly.”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION,
and order CLOSE UP. I assume that the men are in columns of files, one
on each side of the road. I then give the command AT EASE, and caution
the men, ‘Let me have your attention.’ I direct, ‘Noncommissioned
officers assemble here.’ I then give the order for the establishment of
the support as follows:
“‘Small detachments of the enemy have been reported at (_h_) and
(_i_). Our 3rd Battalion is halted for the night at (_k_). Our
regiment (less the 2nd and 3rd Battalions) is halted for the night
at (_l_). Our Battalion halts for the night at (_m_). Our company
furnishes the outpost with the second platoon (less one section) as
support No. 2 at —— and the remainder of the company as reserve at
—— March conditions have ceased.
“‘This platoon forms support No. 1.’”
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, what does the third paragraph of the
order deal with?”
_Captain Harvey_: “With the disposition of troops.”
_The Director_: “Will you state what you think should go into it?”
_Captain Harvey_: “Yes, sir. I think it should be as follows:
“‘Sergeant X, with the first section (less one squad), will cover
the posting of the outguards, and on completion of that duty
withdraw to the support.
“‘Corporal W, with the fourth squad, will form outguard No. 1,
which, posted in the vicinity of ——, will cover the front from ——
(inclusive) to —— (inclusive).
“‘Corporal V, with the fifth squad, will form outguard No. 2, which,
posted on the main road at —— will cover the front from ——
(exclusive) to —— (exclusive).
“‘Corporal T, with the front rank of the sixth squad, will form
outguard No. 3, which, posted at ——, will cover the front from ——
(inclusive) to —— (inclusive). Communication with outguard No. 1 of
support No. 2 will be maintained.
“‘The remainder of the platoon will be posted at —— as support.
“‘In case of attack the outguards will be supported.’”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, what elements does the rest of the
order contain?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “The next paragraph contains the administrative
arrangements. In the platoon the main thing is the messing of the men.
They will all want to know about the arrangements for meals. I would
say:
“‘Meals will be distributed to the outguards by details from the
support.’
“The next item is the designation of the place where to send messages.
“Message to the support.”
“I would then direct: MOVE OUT.”