You, Captain A, are marching at the head of the support. When you arrive at this point the signal “HALT” is received from the rear. You halt and relay the signal forward. A moment later the battalion adjutant joins you and states: “The column will halt for one hour. The major directs that the advance guard provide for the security of the command for that time.” _Required_: What action do you, Captain A, take? Procedure The Director reads the situation aloud and makes any explanation that may appear to him to be necessary. Explanation _The Director_: “When a column on the march halts for any considerable length of time the advance guard continues its covering duty by forming march outposts. These are simply patrols sent out to the front and flanks, a certain distance, where they halt and remain there until ordered to continue the march or until they are recalled. “The advance party usually furnishes these patrols which are sent out on the routes by which the enemy may approach. The support is posted at some central point from which it may readily reinforce any group that may be threatened by the enemy. “In a situation like this the question always comes up as to how the advance guard commander will issue his orders for the establishment of the march outposts—that is, whether he will do it by a message to the several elements or whether he will issue an order and have copies made and sent out. “If the message system is employed, the advance guard commander will have to include the new information of the enemy and our own troops and give the order to the element. All of this is accomplished by issuing a simple five paragraph order and sending it out. This is more expeditious than message writing. The commander has all the information he requires, and he is given definite instructions as to what he, himself, is to do. The order method is favored.” Solution _The Director_: “Captain Hall, how do you size up the situation?” _Captain Hall_: “The mission of the advance guard now is to continue to provide protection to the main body by establishing a march outpost. Enemy scouts have been observed from time to time, but they have not interfered with the march. We have no information regarding any considerable force of the enemy. “Our main body is halted and will remain so for at least an hour. Our advance guard is so disposed that it will be able to take up its new formation without confusion. The advance party can cover the main road and, in general, the head of the column. Our patrols, of which I assume there are two on the exposed flank, will form march outguards and protect that flank. I would send out another patrol of one squad to cover the other flank and prevent enemy scouts from working around there and observing the main body. “My decision is to form a march outpost.”