6-29. The squad members execute Stack and Take Arms from their positions in line formation (at Normal Interval) from Order Arms. When in line formation, the squad leader commands Count, OFF and then designates the stack person by numbers (for example, 2-5-8).
Notes. 1. M4-series carbines are not compatible with the M16-series rifles when stacking arms. The two types of weapons must be stacked separately or grounded in a manner that will not damage the sights. (See appendix C for a detailed explanation of Stack Arms and Take Arms for the M14-series rifle.)
2.When the squad is part of a larger unit, stack arms may be executed in a column formation (when the formation consists of three or more files and the squads are at normal interval). Second or third squad is designated as the stack squad.
Prepare Slings
6-30. After the stack person is designated, the squad leader then commands Prepare, SLINGS. On the command of execution SLINGS, each stack person (or stack squad) reaches across the body with their left hand and grasp the handguards just above the slip ring. With the right hand they place the butt on the right hip and cradles the carbine in the crook of the right arm. Using both hands, they adjust the sling keeper so that a 2-inch loop is formed from the sling keeper to the upper sling swivel. As soon as the loop is prepared, they return to Order Arms.
Stack Arms
6-31. When all stack personnel have returned to Order Arms, the squad leader commands Stack, ARMS. On the command of execution ARMS, each stack person reaches across the body with the left hand and grasps the handguards just above the slip ring. Designated stack persons then grasp the barrel of their carbine with their right hand and place the carbine directly in front of and centered on their body with the sling side to the front. The butt (fully extended) is placed on the marching surface so that the heel of the butt (or side of the butt if the sling is side mounted) is on line with the toes of the stack person’s footgear. Stack persons bend deeply forward at the waist and grasp their carbine with their left hand at the upper portion of the handguard, keeping the carbine vertical at all times. The first two fingers of the left hand hold the inner part of the loop against the carbine. Stack persons reach across the front of the carbine with their right hand, grasp the outer part of the loop, and hold it open for insertion of other carbines (see figure 6-4 on page 6-11).
6-32. On the command of execution ARMS, the Soldiers to the right and left of the stack person perform the following movements simultaneously:
- The Soldier on the stack person’s right reach across the body with the left hand and grasps the handguard. They release the grasp of their right hand and regrasp the carbine at the small of the stock. They lower both arms with the elbows locked (holding the carbine in a horizontal position with the muzzle to the left and the magazine well to the front).
- The Soldier on the stack person’s left reaches across the body with the left hand and grasps the carbine at the small of the stock, releases the right hand, and regrasps the handguard. They then lower both arms with the elbows locked (holding the carbine in a horizontal position with the muzzle to the right and magazine well to the front).
6-33. As soon as the stack person has placed their carbine in position, both Soldiers move the foot nearest the stack person halfway (Half Right or Half Left) toward the stack person. The Soldier on the stack person’s left inserts the muzzle of their carbine into the loop to a point about halfway between the flash suppressor and the front sight assembly. They hold their carbine in this position until the Soldier on the stack person’s right inserts the muzzle of their carbine in a similar manner and above the other muzzle.
6-34. Without moving the feet, both Soldiers swing the butt of their carbines out and then down to the marching surface, making the stack tight with the butts of the carbines on line and about 1 foot from the base line. When the stack has been completed, all three Soldiers resume the Position of Attention.
6-35. Additional carbines are passed to the nearest stack on the right (right or left if stacked in column). The Soldier with additional rifles grasps the handguards with the left hand, release the grasp of the right hand and regrasps the weapon at the barrel. The Soldiers release the grasp of the left hand and raise the carbine vertically with the magazine well to the front, wrist held shoulder high, elbow locked, and right arm extended to the right front. Throughout the pass, the carbine is held vertical with the magazine well to the front:
- The Soldier to the left of the stack person then grasps the carbine at the handguard with their left hand. The Soldier passing the additional carbine then releases the carbine and sharply returns to the Position of Attention. The Soldier to the left of the stack person then moves the carbine to the right until it is centered on their body, and they grasp the barrel with their right hand, wrist held shoulder high and elbow locked. They then release the left hand and sharply returns their left hand to the left side as in the Position of Attention. They then move the carbine to their right front.
- The stack person receives the carbine and centers it in the same manner as previously described in paragraph 6-33. The Soldier to the left of the stack person sharply returns to the Position of Attention after they release the carbine. Once the stack person has centered the carbine and grasped the barrel with the right hand, they bend forward at the waist and places the carbine in the stack so that it is secure (without damaging the front sight assembly). If there are two additional carbines, the second carbine is passed in the same manner as the first.
Take Arms
6-36. To Take Arms, the command is Take, ARMS. On the command of execution ARMS, the Soldier return the additional carbines in the same manner as the carbines were received. The stack person secures the stack and holds the loop in the same manner as for stacking carbines. The Soldiers on the left and right step toward the stack person in the same manner as when stacking arms. Each Soldier reaches down and regrasps their carbine (one hand at the small of the stock and one hand midway of the handguard) and brings it to the horizontal position. The Soldier on the right frees their carbine first and resumes Order Arms. The Soldier on the left frees their carbine and resumes Order Arms. The stack person cradles their carbine and adjusts the sling and sling keeper to its original position and then resumes Order Arms.
Next Page : Chapter 7 – Platoon Drill