OBSERVATION.

157.  The ability to use his eyes accurately is of great importance to the soldier.  The recruit should be trained in observing his surrounding from positions and when on the march.

He should be practiced in pointing out and naming military features of the ground; in distinguishing between living beings; in counting distant groups of objects or beings; in recognizing colors and forms.

158.  In the training of men in the mechanism of the firing line, they should be practiced in repeating to one another target and aiming point designations and in quickly locating and pointing out a designated target.  They should be taught to distinguish, from a prone position, distant objects, particularly troops, both with the naked eye and with field glasses.  Similarly, they should be trained in estimating distances.

SECTION 6.  SCHOOL OF THE COMPANY.

159.  The captain is responsible for the theoretical and practical instruction of his officers and noncommissioned officers, not only in the duties of their respective grades, but in those of the next higher grades.

160.  The company in line is formed in double rank with the men arranged, as far as practicable, according to height from right to left, the tallest on the right.

The original division into squads is effected by the command:  COUNT OFF.  The squads, successively from the right, count off as in the School of the Squad, corporals placing themselves as Nos. 4 of the front rank.  If the left squad contains less than six men, it is either increased to that number by transfers from other squads or is broken up and its members assigned to other squads and posted in the line of file closers.  These squad organizations are maintained, by transfers if necessary, until the company becomes so reduced in numbers us to necessitate a new division into squads.  No squad will contain less than six men.

161.  The company is further divided into two, three, or four platoons, each consisting of not less than two nor more than four squads.  In garrison or ceremonies the strength of platoons may exceed four squads.

162.  At the formation of the company the platoons or squads are numbered consecutively from right to left and these designations do not change.

For convenience in giving commands and for reference, the designations, RIGHT, CENTER, LEFT, when in line, and LEADING, CENTER, REAR, when in column, are applied to platoons or squads.  These designations apply to the actual right, left, center, head, or rear, in whatever direction the company may be facing.  The CENTER squad is the middle or right middle squad of the company.

The designation “So-and-so’s” squad or platoon may also be used.

163.  Platoons are assigned to the lieutenants and noncommissioned officers, in order of rank, as follows:  1. right; 2. left; 3. center (right center); 4. left center.