Executed by each platoon as described for the company. Before forming line the captain sees that the guides on the flank toward which the movement is to be executed are covering. This is effected by previously announcing the guide to that flank. The two common errors are: 1. First, the pivot man takes a short step instead of marking time. Second, (being in line), the pivot men of the platoons forget that they are the pivots and therefore do not execute the command when ordered. [Illustration] The following illustration shows the side view of a platoon. Note the common errors: No. 1 rear rank is closed up to about twenty inches. He is looking down at the heels of his front rank file (man). Rifles are improperly held. Some men in the rear rank have more than forty inches distance from their front rank men. 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. Squads right (left), 2. MARCH; or, 1. Squads right (left), 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT. Executed by each squad as described in the School of the Squad. [Illustration] 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 flank. Being in column of platoons, to change direction: 1. Column right (left), 2. MARCH. At the first command the leader of the leading platoon commands: Right turn. At the command march the leading platoon turns to the right on moving pivot; its leader commands: Forward, 2. MARCH, on completion of the turn. Rear platoons march squarely up to the turning point of the leading platoon and turn at the command of their leaders. When each platoon has completed its turn, the leader commands forward, MARCH. [Illustration] 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. Being in line, to form column of squads and then change direction. 1. Squads left (right), column right (left), 2. MARCH. [Illustration: The dotted line shows the company in line before the new movement is begun. This shows the movement half completed.] The left squad initiates (begins) The column right as soon as it has completed the squad left.] Being in line, to form line of platoons: 1. Squads left (right), platoons, column left (right), 2. [Illustration: LINE OF PLATOONS] MARCH; or, 1. Platoons, right (left) by squads, 2. MARCH. Executed by each platoon as described for the company in the preceding paragraph. FACING OR MARCHING TO THE REAR