One or more of the solutions are read aloud, and a discussion of any errors or points of importance is conducted. At the conclusion of this the Director inquires if there are any questions. He endeavors to answer any questions that may be asked, after which the class is ready to go ahead with the next situation.
1. Prepare copies of the problem and the situations, one for each member of the class.
2. Conduct the class to the point on the road where it is intended that the advance guard formation is to be taken up.
3. Make a short talk on the subject of advance guard duty: (_a_) Formation of a column of troops on the march. (_b_) Description of an advance guard. (_c_) Duties of advance guard: Security of main body; gain information; push back small parties of the enemy; check advance of enemy in force, clear road, etc. (_d_) Distances. (_e_) Communication.
4. Distribute sheets bearing problem and Situation No. 1.
5. Read problem and question members of class on tactical situation.
7. Take up solution of problem: Inspection of platoon; when to load pieces; get platoon away from company.
8. Estimate of the Situation: Mission; enemy; own troops; plans of action; decision.
9. Discussion of Field Orders. Information of enemy and own troops; plan of commander; tactical dispositions; administrative arrangements; place of commander.
10. Final solution of problem: Commands of platoon commander; orders of platoon commander; getting the platoon in march.
11. Have members of class write out orders of the platoon commander. Collect solutions and redistribute them. Have several solutions read and discussed.
_The Director_: “In our solution to Situation No. 1, Captain Hall, in giving the order of the platoon commander said: ‘Sergeant Roberts, with the first squad, will form the point, etc.’ That was an eminently proper order. It did not go into details. He assumes that Sergeant Roberts is familiar with the methods of forming the point of an advance guard and conducting its operations.
“It is a very simple matter for the platoon commander to pass the order along to the sergeant in this manner. But unless the platoon commander knows how the work should be done he has no means of checking up and seeing to it that it is done properly.