The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-09-07
EXTENDED ORDER.

The purpose of the close order drill
through which we have Just been put
with The company Is threefold In the
tlrst place, II confers the benefits cited
ne the beginning of this series. namely,
discipline and uniformity OF movement.
In the second place, by pleasing the
eye with the movements. 1t not only
teaches with concrete example the
fundamentals Of military precision, but
contributes an important moral ele-
nent known as esprit de corps Al
company which Is In the height of
drilling or marching together has a
vastly better spirit than one which,
however wen trained as individuals,
has been assembled but a short time.
The third benefit Is d practical or me-
chnnical expression Of the second. This
Is teamwork"
Teamwork Is so important to troops
IN combat TINT the infantry drill regu-
latlons select this athletic term In pref
erence 10 the whole military glossary
10 explain the combination OF ele-
ments required by unit for success
ful action. Teamwork is Indispensable,
and teamwork can only be learned, 10
begin with. In close order. Just MS
teamwork with football squad can he
properly learned only by signal prac-
tice. hut wcll-developed teamwork is
the more Indispensable with deployed
units because the comparatively wide
fronts Increase the difficulties Of con-
troll. This brings us to the consIdera-
ton OF extended order.
Because OF the increased difficulties
~ control, noncommlssIoned officers
are given great latitude in the execu-
ton Of extended order work, We have
already seen. In the article devoted to
the corporal, how that individuals Inn
portance Increased the moment the
squad was deployed In line of skirmish-
ers. The success of the whole, In fact,
In the word of the regulations, "de-
ponds largely upon how well ench sub
ordinate co-ordlnates his work with the
general plan"
In further illumination of this state
ment. officers and men are instructed
that 1T Is far better 10 do any intelli-
gent thing consistent with the agrees
sive execution of the general plan
than 10 search hesltatlngly for the
ideal. This Is the true rule Of conduct
for subOrdlnates--who are required TO
act upon their own initiative"
But subordlnates are Immediately
warned that independence must not be-
come license The subordinate officer
should at all times have the general
plan of action In mind and cause his
own acts to conform thereto. The test
Is for him to ask himself whether he
IL reasonably sure that his superior
In the given circumstances would issue
the identical order. IL the order he
receives is obviously based upon an
incorrect view Of the situation. Is Inn
possible of execution, or has become
| impracticahle because of changes
which have occurred since Its promul-
CATION. the subordinate Is compelled 70
use his own Judgment and take the re-
sponslhillty upon himself, II he Is I'M
able first TO communicate the sltua-
ton to his superlors.
| These instructions are directed 10
officers primarily, hut they are rela-
lively true of the responsibility which
| devolves upon the squad or platoon
leader, and for this reason have their
places In the consideration of the com
pany when deployed in line of Skin
mishers.