7-35. The platoon marches in the same manner prescribed for the squad. When the platoon is marching in a line, the first squad leader serves as the guide, and when the platoon is marching in a column, the fourth squad leader serves as the guide. When marching in line, each member of each squad (glancing out of the corner of their right eye) maintains alignment on the Soldier to their right. When marching in column, each member of the first, second, and third squads maintains alignment on the Soldier to their right.
Eyes Right
7-36. The platoon renders courtesy during ceremonies or when marching past the Colors by executing Eyes Right. The commands for this movement are Eyes, RIGHT and Ready, FRONT.
7-37. At the Halt, all Soldiers (on the command of execution, RIGHT), while keeping their shoulders parallel to the front, turn their heads and eyes to the right at a 45-degree angle. They focus on and follow the person passing to the front until they are again looking forward, at which time their heads and eyes remain fixed to the front. Only the platoon leader renders the Hand Salute.
7-38. When marching, the preparatory command Eyes is given as the right foot strikes the marching surface and the command of execution RIGHT is given the next time the right foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution RIGHT, all Soldiers, except the right file, turn their heads and eyes to the right and align themselves on the right file while continuing to march. Soldiers in the right file do not turn their heads and eyes but continue looking straight to the front and maintain correct distance. Only the platoon leader salutes. To terminate the courtesy, the preparatory command Ready is given as the left foot strikes the marching surface, and the command of execution FRONT is given the next time the left foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution, the Soldiers turn their heads and eyes sharply to the front and the platoon leader terminates the Hand Salute.
Changing The Direction of a Column
7-39. The platoon changes the direction of marching basically the same as the squad. During a column movement, the base element is the squad on the flank in the direction of the turn.
7-40. To change the direction 90 degrees, the command is Column Right (Left), MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the base squad executes the movement as in squad drill except that the squad leader takes one 30-inch step and then takes up the Half Step. The squad leader continues marching with the Half Step until the other squad leaders come abreast. The other squad leaders, while maintaining correct (offset) interval, execute a 45-degree pivot and continue marching in an arc. As they come on line (abreast) with the base squad leader, they take up the Half Step. When all squad leaders are abreast, they step off with a 30-inch step without command. All other platoon members march forward on the command of execution and execute the column movement at approximately the same location as their squad leaders and in the same manner.
Note. When the platoon sergeant is marching their platoon as a separate unit or when the company is marching without officers in charge, the platoon sergeant stays centered on the platoon. When the platoon leader and platoon sergeant are marching at their post in column as part of a larger formation, they execute a Column Half Right (Left) rather than a 90-degree column movement. After executing the Column Half Right (Left), they continue marching in an arc, incline as necessary, and resume their correct positions. After sensing that the squad leaders are abreast of each other, the platoon leader resumes the 30-inch step. At times, the platoon leader may find it necessary to shorten or lengthen their step to maintain correct distance from the unit to the front.
7-41. To change the direction 45 degrees, the command is Column Half Right (Left), MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the platoon executes the movement in the same manner as a 90-degree turn except that the base squad leader, as well as the other squad leaders, execute a Column Half Right (Left).
Note. When executing a column movement at Double Time, elements adjust the length of their steps so that interval and distance are maintained through and beyond the pivot point.
7-42. To march a platoon in the opposite direction, the command Rear, MARCH is given by the platoon sergeant the same way as previously discussed in paragraphs 4-20 and 6-26. The platoon marches in the opposite direction (Rear, MARCH) in the same manner as the squad.
7-43. The platoon inclines in the same manner as the squad discussed in paragraph 6-24. The squad nearest the direction of the turn serves as the base. To avoid an obstacle in the path of the march, the platoon leader directs INCLINE AROUND LEFT (RIGHT).
7-44. When space is limited and the platoon sergeant wants to march their unit in the opposite direction (reverse), with the squad leaders at the head of their squads, they command Counter-Column, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH (at the Halt), the first squad marches forward three steps, executes a Column Right, marches across the front of the platoon, and executes another Column Right just beyond the fourth squad. The second squad steps forward one step, executes a Column Right, marches forward, and executes another Column Right between the third and fourth squads. The third squad executes two short Column Lefts from the Halt and marches between the remainder of the third squad and the second squad. The fourth squad marches forward two steps, executes a Column Left, marches across the front of the platoon, and executes another Column Left between the first and second squads (see figure 7-3 on page 7-10).
7-45. As the third squad leader marches past the last person in the third squad, they and their squad begin to march at the Half Step. After marching past the last Soldier in each file, all other squads incline to the right and left as necessary, obtain Normal Interval on the third squad and begin to march with the Half Step. When all squads are abreast of each other, they begin marching with a 30-inch step without command.
7-46. If a guidon or phase banner is present, on the command of execution MARCH of Counter-Column, MARCH the bearer executes a Column Right, marches across the platoon, and executes another Column Right just beyond the fourth squad, and then inclines as necessary to return to the bearers post.
7-47. During the movement, without the platoon leader present, the platoon sergeant marches alongside the first squad. With the platoon leader present, the platoon sergeant marches one step to the rear and centered between the second and third squads (see figure 7-2 on page 7-3) and the platoon leader marches alongside the first squad.
7-48. When marching, the preparatory command Counter-Column is given as the left foot strikes the marching surface and the command of execution MARCH is given the next time the left foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, the platoon executes the movement basically the same as from the Halt, except that the squad takes one additional step to ensure that the pivot foot is in the correct position to execute the movement.
Notes. 1. When there are only three squads in the column, the first squad takes two steps before executing.
2.When the platoon leader and platoon sergeant are marching at their posts as part of a larger formation, the platoon leader takes three steps forward and executes a column right, marches across the front of the platoon, executes another column right (just beyond fourth squad), marches to their post in the most direct manner, takes up the Half Step, and then steps off with a 30-inch step when the squad leaders come on line. The platoon sergeant inclines to the right, follows the third squad until the movement is completed, and then resumes their post.
Marching To The Flanks
7-49. The platoon may be marched to the flank (for short distances only) when marching in column. The command for this movement is Right (Left) Flank, MARCH. The preparatory command is given as the foot in the desired direction strikes the marching surface, and the command of execution is given the next time the foot in the desired direction strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, all members take one more step, pivot 90 degrees in the commanded direction on the ball of the lead foot, and step off in the new direction with the trailing foot. As the members begin to march in the new direction, they glance out of the corner of their right eyes and dress to the right.
Forming a File and Re-forming
7-50. The platoon forms a single file, from the right, left, or as designated, only when in column and at the Halt. The commands are File from the left (right), MARCH or File in sequence three-two-four-one, MARCH.
Note. If the squad’s direction of travel is to the left, or the squad is immediately following an element on the left, then all supplementary commands will be given over the left shoulder. If the squad’s direction of travel is forward or to the right, or is immediately following a squad on the right, all supplementary commands will be given over the right shoulder. The squad leaders give the appropriate command so that they are following the last Soldier in the preceding squad at the correct distance.
7-51. On the preparatory command, the squad leader of the designated squad gives the supplementary command Forward. The other squad leaders command STAND FAST. On the command of execution MARCH (given by the platoon sergeant), the lead squad marches forward. The squad leader next to the lead element (or as designated) looks over the shoulder nearest the moving element and commands Column Half Left (Right) when the second from the last Soldier is abreast of them and their right foot strikes the marching surface. The squad leader gives the command of execution MARCH as the right foot of the last Soldier strikes the marching surface when abreast of them. On the command of execution, the squad leader executes the Column Half Left (Right), then inclines without command to the right (left) and follows the last Soldier of the preceding squad at correct distance. Other members of the squad march forward and execute the same movements as the squad leader. The remaining squads form the file in the same manner as the squad immediately behind the lead element.
7-52. The platoon may form a file and execute a column movement simultaneously from a column formation. The command for this movement is File from the left (right), Column Left (Right), MARCH. Following the platoon sergeant’s preparatory command, the squad leader of the lead element commands Column Left (Right), instead of Forward. The other squad leaders command STAND FAST. On the platoon leader’s command of execution MARCH, the lead squad executes the Column Left (Right). The other squad leaders command Column Left (Right) (when the second from the last person is abreast of them) and then gives the command of execution MARCH as the right foot of the last person strikes the marching surface abreast of them.
Notes. 1. At this point, the platoon is executing platoon drill. The platoon sergeant will not release control of the squads to the squad leaders. The platoon sergeant will rest personnel on an as needed basis; for example, when filing into a building.
2. The squad leaders give the command of execution MARCH as the right foot of the last Soldier strikes the marching surface at the pivot (Column Left), or the first time the last Soldier’s right foot strikes the marching surface after the pivot (Column Right).
7-53. The platoon re-forms to the original column formation only from the Halt. The command is Column of fours to the right (left), MARCH:
Note. To re-form the platoon to its original column formation when the file was formed on the command In Sequence, MARCH, the commands FALL OUT and FALL IN must be given.
- On the preparatory command, the squad leader of the base squad commands STAND FAST. All other squad leaders command Column Half Right (Left). On the platoon sergeant’s command of execution MARCH, the base squad stands fast; all other squads execute the Column Half Right (Left) simultaneously.
- As each of the moving squad leaders reach a point (line) that ensures correct interval on the element to their left (right), they automatically incline to the left (right) and command Mark Time, MARCH and Squad, HALT so that their squad is abreast of the base (other) squad when halted.
Forming A Column of Twos and Re-forming
7-54. The platoon forms a column of twos from the right or left when in a column of fours at the Halt. The command is Column of twos from the left (right), MARCH:
- On the preparatory command, the squad leaders of the two lead squads command Forward. The other squad leaders command STAND FAST:
- On the platoon sergeant’s command of execution MARCH, the two lead squads march forward. The squad leader (second or third) next to the lead element gives the command to start both remaining squads in motion. Looking over the shoulder nearest the moving elements, the squad leader gives the preparatory command Column Half Left (Right) (when the second from the last Soldier is abreast of them) and then gives the command of execution MARCH as the right foot of the last Soldier strikes the marching surface abreast of them.
- On the platoon sergeant’s command of execution, both squad leaders execute the Column Half Left (Right), incline to the right (left) without command, and follow the last Soldiers of the preceding squads at correct distance (do not close the space if the files of the two leading squads are uneven). Other members of the remaining squads march forward and execute the same movements as their squad leaders.
- The platoon may form a column of twos and execute a column movement simultaneously from a column formation. The command for this movement is Column of twos from the left (right), Column left (right), MARCH:
- The squad leaders of the lead squads command Column Left (Right) instead of Forward. The squad leader of the second (third) squad gives the command Column Left (Right); however, they execute Column Half Left (Right). The remaining two squad leaders command STAND FAST.
- On the platoon sergeant’s command of execution MARCH, the lead squads execute the Column Left (Right). The squad leader (second or third) next to the lead elements gives the command to start both squads in motion. Looking over the shoulder nearest the moving elements, the squad leader gives the preparatory command Column Left (Right) when the second from the last Soldier is abreast of them. Then they give the command of execution MARCH as the right foot of the last Soldier strikes the marching surface at the pivot (Column Left) or the first time the last Soldier’s right foot strikes the marching surface after the pivot (Column Right). Although the command is Column Left (Right), the outside squads (fourth or first) execute Column Half Left (Right).
- The platoon re-forms to the original column formation only from the Halt. The command is Column of fours to the right (left), MARCH:
- When re-forming into a column of fours without the platoon leader present, the platoon sergeant remains at their post centered on the platoon. When re-forming into a column of fours with the platoon leader present, the platoon leader faces as in marching and resumes their original position in the column. The platoon sergeant follows the rear element and resumes their post in the formation when the element has halted.
- On the preparatory command, the squad leaders of the base squads command STAND FAST. The trailing squad leaders command Column Half Right (Left). On the platoon sergeant’s command of execution MARCH, the base squads stand fast. The trailing squad leaders execute slightly more than the Column Half Right (Left) simultaneously. As the trailing squad leaders reach a point (line) that will ensure correct interval on the element to their left (right), they automatically incline to the left (right). The squad leader nearest the stationary squads (second or third) commands Mark Time, MARCH and Squads, HALT.
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