Suggestion for getting the subalterns to in front during dress parade
Stephen P. Hanson
Co. C, 2nd U.S. Infantry, National Regiment

The only way this formation can be properly conducted is if it will work with a full-strength company of 100 men. Minus the officers and sergeants, that’s a two-rank formation about 46 men wide, divided into 4 sections of 10-11 men each. The shortcuts we can afford with a reenactor company of 30 men total with one or no subalterns won’t work in a full-strength company. The diagrams show a suggested procedure for getting the subalterns through the line in the limited amount of time when there is a hole for them to pass through. The procedure is not outlined in Regulations, so we have to improvise. However, whatever procedure we use, if it won’t work with a full-strength company with full complement of officers and NCOs, it has to be incorrect. Any modification must be tested using a full-strength company.

This diagram shows a company at only half-strength (56 men) but with full complement of officers and NCOs. In this evolution, it is sufficient to demonstrate both the problem and a proposed solution. A full-strength company would just be wider without making any significant difference in the procedure.

Our company is in dark blue; parts of adjacent companies on either flank are in light blue

= Captain      = Lieutenants      = Sergeants      = Corporals      = Privates.
 

 

1. Battalion is formed in Line of Battle

2. “Order Arms, Parade Rest”
Captain steps out one pace.

1st Sergeant moves into front rank.

3. “Prepare to Open Ranks”
All the subordinate officers move at once:

The Major and Lieutenant-Colonel move behind the battalion from their positions to the right of the battalion. The Major halts 4 paces behind the rear rank of the right-most company and the Lieutenant-Colonel 2 paces behind the Major. Note: In a 500-man regiment, the Lieutenant-Colonel needs to march approximately 80 paces to get to this position, and that would take approximately 25 seconds. In a 1000-man regiment, that distance and time would be doubled.

The company Lieutenants move behind the rank of file-closers from their positions to the right of their companies and stand behind the first file of the company, 2nd Lieutenant between the rear rank and the file closer rank, 1st Lieutenant in the file closer rank. Note: In this 50-man company, the 1st Lieutenant would have to march 20 paces to get to this position, and that would take at least 6 seconds. In a 100-man company, that distance and time would be doubled. During the entire ceremony, this is the only place that allows enough time for the Lieutenants to get into position to move through the hole in the line between the time the 1st Sergeant opens and closes it.

In this position, the Lieutenants are out of the way of the 1st Sergeant, who will be backing up on the next command.

4. “To the Rear, Open Order”
1st Sergeant moves back to 4 paces behind the rear rank, looks to the right, aligns on the Major at the extreme right of the line, and continues to hold his eyes to the right.

Lieutenants move into the hole left by the 1st Sergeant, immediately behind the Captain, 2nd Lieutenant in the front rank, 1st Lieutenant in the rear rank. This has to be done to get out of the way of the rear rank, which will be backing up on the next command.

5. “March!”
The rear rank moves back and aligns on the 1st Sergeant, who is aligned on the Major
at the extreme right of the line, continuing to hold their eyes to the right.

File-closer Sergeants align with the Lieutenant-Colonel at the extreme right of the
line, continuing to hold their eyes to the right.

Captain moves directly forward three paces and aligns with the right-most captain.

Lieutenants move forward and to the left and align on their Captain opposite their
posts in the rear of the company.

6. “Front!”
All eyes snap to the front.

1st Sergeant moves to the front rank.

Major and Lieutenant-Colonel move forward and take position opposite their posts in
the rear of the regiment.