The designation "So-and-so's" squad or platoon may also be used.
163. Platoons are assigned to the lieutenants and noncommissioned officers, in order of rank, as follows: 1, right; 2, left; 3, center (right center); 4, left center.
The noncommissioned officers next in rank are assigned as guides, one to each platoon. If sergeants still remain, they are assigned to platoons as additional guides. When the platoon is deployed, its guide, or guides, accompany the platoon leader.
During battle, these assignments are not changed: vacancies are filled by noncommissioned officers of the platoon, or by the nearest available officers or noncommissioned officers arriving with reenforcing troops.
164. The first sergeant is never assigned as a guide. When not commanding a platoon, he is posted as a file closer opposite the third file from the outer flank of the first platoon; and when the company is deployed he accompanies the captain.
The quartermaster sergeant, when present, is assigned according to his rank as a sergeant.
Enlisted men below the grade of sergeant, armed with the rifle, are in ranks unless serving as guides; when not so armed, they are posted in the line of file closers.
Musicians, when required to play, are at the head of the column. When the company is deployed, they accompany the captain.
165. The company executes the _halt_, _rests_, _facings_, _steps_ and _marchings_, _manual of arms_, _loadings_ and _firings_, _takes intervals_ and _distances_ and _assembles_, _increases_ and _diminishes intervals_, resumes _attention_, _obliques_, resumes the direct march, preserves alignments, _kneels_, _lies down_, _rises_, _stacks_ and _takes arms_, as explained in the Schools of the Soldier and the Squad, substituting in the commands _company_ for _squad_.
The same rule applies to platoons, detachments, details, etc., substituting their designation for _squad_ in the commands. In the same manner these execute the movements prescribed for the company, whenever possible, substituting their designation for _company_ in the commands.
166. A company so depleted as to make division into platoons impracticable is led by the captain as a single platoon, but retains the designation of company. The lieutenants and first sergeant assist in fire control; the other sergeants place themselves in the firing line as skirmishers.
