This whistle signal may be used as a preliminary to CEASE FIRING.

TO CEASE FIRING.

150.  CEASE FIRING.

Firing stops; pieces not already there are brought to the position of load; those not loaded are loaded; sights are laid, pieces are locked and brought to the older.

CEASE FIRING is used for long pauses, to prepare for changes of position, or to steady the men.

151.  Commands for suspending or ceasing fire may be given at any time after the preparatory command for firing whether the firing has actually commenced or not.

THE USE OF COVER.

152.  The recruit should be given careful instruction in the individual use of cover.

It should be impressed upon him that, in taking advantage of natural cover, he must be able to fire easily and effectively upon the enemy; if advancing on an enemy, he must do so steadily and as rapidly as possible; he must conceal himself as much as possible while firing and while advancing.  While setting his sight he should be under cover or lying prone.

153.  To teach him to fire easily and effectively, at the same time concealing himself from the view of the enemy, he is practiced in simulated firing in the prone, sitting, kneeling, and crouching positions, from behind hillocks, trees, heaps of earth or rocks, from depressions, gullies, ditches, doorways, or windows.  He is taught to fire around the right side of his concealment whenever possible, or, when this is not possible, to rise enough to fire over the top of his concealment,

When these details are understood, he is required to select cover with reference to an assumed enemy and to place himself behind it in proper position for firing.

154.  The evil of remaining too long in one place, however good the concealment, should be explained.  He should be taught to advance from cover to cover, selecting cover in advance before leaving his concealment.

It should be impressed upon him that a man running rapidly toward all enemy furnishes a poor target.  He should be trained in springing from a prone position behind concealment, running at top speed to cover and throwing himself behind it.  He should also be practiced in advancing from cover to cover by crawling, or by lying on the left side, rifle grasped in the right hand, and pushing himself forward with the right leg.

155.  He should be taught that, when fired on while acting independently, he should drop to the ground, seek cover, and then endeavor to locate his enemy.

156.  The instruction of the recruit in the use of cover is continued in the combat exercises of the company, but he must then be taught that the proper advance of the platoon or company and the effectiveness of its fire is of greater importance than the question of cover for individuals.  He should also be taught that he may not move about or shift his position in the firing line except the better to see the target.