Great Britain. Army -- Infantry -- Drill and tactics
1. _The Recruit._--When the recruit has been thoroughly instructed
in the elements of drill and skirmishing, he will take his place in the
ranks of his company.
2. _The Company as the School of Instruction._--The company, from
its size and organisation, is the best school of instruction in all
field duties, and in it both officers and non-commissioned officers
will be trained to accept responsibility, and to use initiative with
judgment. It is the largest unit that can be directly controlled
under fire by one man, and is the most important link in the chain
of co-operation in battle. The training of the company exerts an
influence on the efficiency of infantry on service which it is
impossible to overrate; it is to be carried out by its own officers and
non-commissioned officers, without undue interference on the part of
their superiors.
The battalion commander is responsible that the company commanders are
thoroughly instructed, and he supervises, but should not lay down,
the methods which they employ to train their companies. The company
commanders, assisted by their subalterns and non-commissioned officers,
are directly responsible for the efficiency of the rank and file, and
their advancement in the service will depend on their success.
3. _Organisation of the Company._--A company is permanently divided
into two half-companies, the right and left, each under a subaltern,
when available. Each half-company is permanently divided into two
sections, each under a non-commissioned officer. They will be numbered
from one to four.
A section is permanently divided into two squads, each under a
non-commissioned officer or selected private. They will be numbered
from one to eight.
This organisation will be maintained both in barracks and in the field.
The men will thus acquire the spirit of true comradeship, and learn to
repose confidence in each other; while the non-commissioned officers
will be accustomed to command, and to act when necessary on their own
judgment. By such means the fighting value of the company will be fully
developed; and its proper direction and command under hostile fire,
when superior control becomes impossible, be maintained.
4. _Duty of Officer Commanding a Battalion._--It is the duty of the
commanding officer to see that all ranks are thoroughly trained in
field duties, that co-operation in action is ensured, and that the
self-reliance and good-will of officers and non-commissioned officers
is so carefully cultivated as to render them zealous and intelligent
assistants, in peace as well as on service, and not mere passive
executants of definite orders. This can only be accomplished by
giving the company commanders a free hand, and ample opportunities of
exercising their men. In other words the battalion commander does not
lead in the field one unit. His duty is to direct and supervise the
action of eight independent tactical units.
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