Except at ceremonies, the special units have no fixed places. They take places as directed; in the absence of directions, they conform as nearly as practicable to the plates, and in subsequent movements maintain their relative positions with respect to the flank or end of the command on which they were originally posted. (23) [Illustration] =73. General, field and staff officers habitually mounted; formation of staff; drawing and returning saber.= General, field, and staff officers are habitually mounted. The staff of any officer forms in single rank, 3 paces in rear of him, the right of the rank extending 1 pace to the right of a point directly in rear of him. Members of the staff are arranged in order from right to left as follows: General staff officers, adjutant, aids, other staff officers, arranged in each classification in order of rank, the senior on the right. The flag of the general officer and the orderlies are 3 paces in rear of the staff, the flag on the right. When necessary to reduce the front of the staff and orderlies, each line executes =twos right or fours right=, as explained in the Cavalry Drill Regulations, and follows the commander. When not otherwise prescribed, staff officers draw and return saber with their chief. (24) =74. Mounted officer turns to left in executing about; when commander faces about to give commands, staff and others stand fast.= In making the about, an officer, mounted, habitually turns to the left. When the commander faces to give commands, the staff, flag, and orderlies do not change position. (25) =75. Saluting when making and receiving reports; saluting on meeting.= When making or receiving official reports, or on meeting out of doors, all officers will salute. Military courtesy requires the junior to salute first, but when the salute is introductory to a report made at a military ceremony or formation, to the representative of a common superior (as, for example, to the adjutant, officer of the day, etc.), the officer making the report, whatever his rank, will salute first; the officer to whom the report is made will acknowledge by saluting that he has received and understood the report. (26) =76. Formation of mounted enlisted men for ceremonies.= For ceremonies, all mounted enlisted men of a regiment or smaller unit, except those belonging to the machine-gun organizations, are consolidated into a detachment; the senior present commands if no officer is in charge. The detachment is formed as a platoon or squad of cavalry in line or column of fours; noncommissioned staff officers are on the right or in the leading ranks. (27) =77. Post of dismounted noncommissioned staff officers for ceremonies.= For ceremonies, such of the noncommissioned staff officers as are dismounted are formed 5 paces in rear of the color, in order of rank from right to left. In column of squads they march as file closers. (28)