14. COMPOSITION.—The rifle squad is composed of 12 men:

15. FORMATIONS.—a. Dismounted posts.—When accompanied by its vehicle, the rifle squad normally forms dismounted in two ranks in front of the vehicle (fig. 1). The squad leader takes his post 3 yards in front of the right fender, facing the front. The assistant squad leader takes his post 40 inches to the rear, facing the front and covering the squad leader. Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, in that order, take posts at the left of the squad leader at close interval. Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, and the driver, in that order, take posts at the left of the assistant squad leader at close interval, covering their respective files in front.

b. Mounted posts.—The rifle squad takes mounted posts as shown in figure 1.

(1) Squad leader, seated in the right front seat, or standing in front of the seat. If the vehicle has machine-gun mount M32, he stands inside the mount.

(2) Driver, seated in the driver's seat.

(3) Rifleman No. 1, seated in the center front seat.

(4) Riflemen Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive (remainder of front rank), seated in that order from front to rear on the right side of the vehicle.

(5) Riflemen Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, and the assistant squad leader (remainder of rear rank) seated in that order from front to rear on the left side of the vehicle.

Figure 1.—Dismounted and mounted posts of rifle squad.

16. TO FORM THE SQUAD.—The squad being dismounted, at the command or signal FALL IN the squad leader takes his post. The remainder of the squad takes posts prescribed in paragraph 15a. (See also par. 7.)

17. TO FALL OUT.—The squad being at dismounted posts, at the command FALL OUT the squad falls out as in paragraph 7b.

18. TO MOUNT.—a. The squad being at dismounted posts or dismounted, at the command or signal MOUNT, No. 1 and the squad leader take their mounted posts from the right side of the vehicle (see par. 15b) in that order, and the squad leader remains standing facing the rear until the remainder of the squad is mounted. The driver takes his mounted post from the left side of the vehicle. The others of the squad move around the right of the vehicle and mount through the rear door to their seats in this order, Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive (front rank), followed by Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive (rear rank), in order. The assistant squad leader opens the rear door, supervises mounting, and takes his post last (par. 7 and fig. 1).

b. Being dismounted or at dismounted posts, at the command OVER THE SIDE, MOUNT—

(1) The squad leader, No. 1, and driver take their posts as in a above.

(2) Nos. 2, 3, and 4 simultaneously mount over the right side of the vehicle to their seats.

(3) Nos. 6, 7, and 8 simultaneously mount over the left side of the vehicle to their seats.

(4) Nos. 5 and 9 and the assistant squad leader, in that order, move around the right of the vehicle and mount through the rear door (par. 7).

19. TO DISMOUNT.—a. Being mounted, at the command or signal DISMOUNT—

(1) The squad leader and No. 1 dismount on the right side of the vehicle.

(2) The driver dismounts on the left side of the vehicle.

(3) The remainder of the squad dismounts in the reverse order to that prescribed in paragraph 18a. (See also par. 7.)

b. Being mounted, at the command OVER THE SIDE, DISMOUNT the squad dismounts in reverse order to that prescribed in paragraph 18b. (See also par. 7.)

20. TO PREPARE FOR ACTION.—At the command PREPARE FOR ACTION, members of the squad proceed as follows:

a. Squad leader.—(1) Uncovers, checks head space, and half-loads the vehicular machine-gun, if the vehicle has mount M32.

(2) Supervises preparation for action by the squad.

b. Driver.—If vehicle is not moving, he checks submachine-gun to see that it is ready for action. If vehicle is moving, he continues to drive, and No. 1 checks the submachine-gun.

c. Assistant squad leader.—Assists squad leader in supervising preparation for action.

d. Rifleman No. 2.—If the vehicle has a pedestal mount, he uncovers, checks head space, and half-loads the vehicular machine-gun.

e. Riflemen Nos. 4 and 5.—Prepare for action as rocketeer and loader, respectively (par. 9).

f. All riflemen except rocketeer.—Remove rifles from their scabbards, load and lock, and hold them in their hands thereafter until OUT OF ACTION or other command is given. In drill, loading is simulated.

21. OUT OF ACTION.—The squad being prepared for action, at the command or signal OUT OF ACTION the squad proceeds as follows:

a. Squad leader.—(1) Unloads vehicular machine-gun (mount M32).

(2) Supervises actions of squad.

b. No. 2.—Unloads vehicular machine-gun (pedestal mount).

c. All riflemen unload, replace rifles in scabbards, and resume mounted posts.

d. If the rocketeer and loader are prepared for action as such, they stow equipment and rockets in the reverse order to that prescribed in paragraph 9 and resume mounted posts.

22. DISMOUNTED ACTION.—a. The squad being mounted and prepared for action, undertakes dismounted action upon appropriate orders for the disposition of the squad as prescribed in FM 22-5 and 23-55 (see c below). The command of execution in all cases is ACTION. For example, 1. SCOUTS OUT (AS SKIRMISHERS) (SQUAD COLUMN), 2. ACTION. At the command of execution—

(1) Squad leader.—Dismounts and supervises the disposition of the squad.

(2) Riflemen Nos. 1 to 9.—Dismount and take positions, or formation, as directed by the squad leader.

(3) Driver.—At command or signal, moves the vehicle to a position as directed by the squad leader (par. 13b).

b. If the order in a above includes "OVER THE SIDE," the squad dismounts as prescribed in paragraph 19b, and proceeds as in a above.

c. Dismounted action with machine gun.—For dismounted action with the vehicular machine-gun, the order in a above includes "DISMOUNT WITH MACHINEGUN." At the command of execution—

(1) Squad leader.—Dismounts and supervises disposition of the squad.

(2) Assistant squad leader.—Dismounts and supervises placing machine gun in action.

(3) Rifleman No. 1.—Dismounts machine-gun and hands it to No. 2 on the ground. Hands one box of caliber .30 ammunition and the water chest to No. 3 on the ground; dismounts with tripod. (Stowage place of tripod governs this section.)

(4) Rifleman No. 2.—Dismounts and receives the machine gun from No. 1.

(5) Rifleman No. 3.—Dismounts and receives one box of caliber .30 ammunition and the water chest from No. 1.

(6) Riflemen Nos. 4 to 9.—Dismount and take positions or formations as directed by the squad leader.

(7) Driver.—At command or signal, moves the vehicle to cover and rejoins the squad with his submachine gun, one box of caliber .30 ammunition, the spare parts roll, spare barrel, and the vehicular first-aid kit. If the driver must remain with the vehicle, as in a defensive position, this equipment, except the submachine gun, is taken by No.—6.

(8) The machine gun is put into action in drill 5 yards in front of the vehicle, or at a point designated by the squad leader. Fire and displacement orders are as prescribed in FM 23-55. The members of the squad handling the machine gun perform duties designated in FM 23-55 as follows:

d. Out of action.—At the command MACHINE GUN OUT OF ACTION, the machine gun is taken out of action as prescribed in FM 23-55. The squad leader signals BEING UP THE VEHICLE. At the command MOUNT, equipment and ammunition are stowed in the reverse order to that prescribed in c above.