Being in line, line of platoons, or in column of platoons or squads, to face or march to the rear: 1. Squads right (left) about, 2. MARCH; or, 1. Squads right (left) about, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT. Executed by each squad as described in the School of the Squad. If the company is in line of platoons, or in column of squads, the file closers turn about toward the column, and take their posts; if in line, each darts through the nearest interval between squads. To march to the rear for a few paces: 1. About, 2. FACE, 3. Forward, 4. MARCH. If in line, the guides place themselves in the rear rank, now in front rank; the file closers, on facing about, maintain their relative positions. No other movement is executed until the line is faced to the original front. Being in column of squads to form column of platoons, or being in line of platoons, to form the company in line: 1. Platoons, right (left) front into line, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT, 5. FRONT. Executed by each platoon as described for the company. If forming column of platoons, platoon leaders verify the alignment before taking their posts; the captain commands front when the alignments have been verified. When front into line is executed in double time the commands for halting and aligning are omitted and the guide is toward the side of the first unit in line. ROUTE STEP AND AT EASE The column of squads is the habitual column of route, but route step and at ease are applicable to any marching formation. To march at route step: 1. Route step, 2. MARCH. Sabers are carried at will or in the scabbard; the men carry their pieces at will, keeping the muzzles elevated; they are not required to preserve silence, nor to keep the step. The ranks cover and preserve their distance. If halted from route step, the men stand at rest. To march at ease: 1. At ease, 2. MARCH. The company marches as in route step, except that silence is preserved when hated, the men remain at ease. Marching at route step or at ease: 1. Company, 2. ATTENTION. At the command attention the pieces are brought to the right shoulder and the cadenced step in quick time is resumed. RULES FOR GUIDES A guide is a noncommissioned officer or a private upon whom the company regulates its march. It is not difficult for an inexperienced man learn, with a little practice, the duties and the correct positions of a guide. Remember the rule of thumb, The guide and the file closers are on the opposite flanks when the company is in column of squads. In squads right about it would be ridiculous for the file closers to move from one flank to another. Guides are permitted and supposed look around to see if they are in their proper places; most new men are timid about this. The following general rules and examples will help you: The guide of a company or platoon in line is right, unless otherwise announced.