178.  Being in line, to form column of squads, or the reverse; or, being in line of platoons, to form column of platoons, or the reverse:  1. Squadsright_(left)_, 2.  MARCH, or, 1. Squadsright_(left)_, 2.  MARCH, 3. Company, 4.  HALT.

Executed by each squad as described in the School of the Squad.

If the company or platoons be formed in line toward the side of the file closers, they dart through the column and take posts in rear of the company at the second command.  If the column of squads be formed from line, the file closers take posts on the pivot flank, abreast of and 4 inches from the nearest rank.

MOVEMENTS ON THE MOVING PIVOT.

179.  Being in line, to change direction:  1. Right(Left)_turn_, 2.  MARCH, 3. Forward, 4.  MARCH.

Executed as described in the School of the Squad, except that the men do not glance toward the marching flank and that all take the full step at the fourth command.  The right guide is the pivot of the front rank.  Each rear-rank man obliques on the same ground as his file leader.

180.  Being in column of platoons, to change direction:  1. Column right(left)_, 2.  MARCH.

At the first command the leader of the lending platoon commands:  RIGHT TURN.  At the command MARCH the leading platoon turns to the right on moving pivot; its lender commands:  1. Forward, 2.  MARCH, on completion of the turn.  Rear platoons march squarely up to the turning point of the leading platoon and turn at command of their lenders.

181.  Being in column of squads, to change direction:  1. Column right(left)_, 2.  MARCH.

At the second command the front rank of the leading squad turns to the right on moving pivot, as in the School of the Squad; the other ranks, without command, turn successively on the same ground and in a similar manner.

182.  Being in column of squads, to form line of platoons or the reverse:  1. Platoons,column_right_(left)_, 2.  MARCH.

Executed by each platoon as described for the company.

183.  Being in line, to form column of squads and change direction:  1. Squadsright_(left)_,_column_right_(left)_, 2.  MARCH; or, 1. Right(Left)_by_squads_, 2.  MARCH.

In the first case the right squad initiates the COLUMN RIGHT as soon as it has completed the SQUAD RIGHT.

In the second case, at the command march, the right squad marches FORWARD; the remainder of the company executes SQUADS RIGHT, COLUMN LEFT, and follows the right squad.  The right guide, when he has posted himself in front of the right squad, takes four short steps, then resumes the full step; the right squad conforms.

184.  Being in line, to form line of platoons:  1. Squadsright_ (left),platoons_column_right_(left)_, 2.  MARCH; or, 1. Platoons,right_(left)_by_squads_, 2.  MARCH.