to the diagrams in the manuals, but it is not particularly difficult in
practice. Its use is to get the company out of the double line formation
into a column of four men abreast, the usual marching formation. At the
executive command, "March!" No. 1 front rank acts as the pivot, and
makes a right-angled turn to the right, marking time in that position
until the three other men in the front rank have executed a
right-oblique movement and have come up on the new line. The rear-rank
men follow suit, but Nos. 2 and 1 have to turn momentarily to the left
in order to get behind the front-rank pivot men--to put it more simply,
they follow No. 2 in single file.

It sounds confusing, but any old National Guardsman can explain the
movement in very short order. So soon as "Squads Right" has been
completed the whole column takes up the march without further word of
command.


STEPS AND MARCHINGS

All steps and marchings executed from a halt (except Right or Left Step)
begin with the left foot.

The length of the full step in "Quick (or ordinary) time" is 30 inches,
measured from heel to heel, and the cadence is at the rate of 120 steps
to the minute.

The length of the full step in "Double Time" is 36 inches; the cadence
is at the rate of 180 steps to the minute.