MANUAL OF ARMS FOR THE RIFLE (M-1 GARAND)

In describing the manual of arms, the term, “at balance”, refers to a point on
the rifle just forward of the trigger housing.

Whenever a position is described as “diagonally across the body”, the rifle

barrel is up. The butt is in front of the right hip, and the rifle barrel crosses a
point opposite the junction of neck and left shoulder. The rifle is grasped at
the balance with the left hand. Hold palm of hand toward the body with wrist
straight.

The cadence for rifle movement is quick time. In the early stages of training
give full attention to the details of the motions. Cadence is acquired
gradually as handling the rifle is mastered. Sometimes the instructor may
require counting aloud in cadence with motion.

The manual of arms is taught at the halt. For the purpose of instruction, it
may be taught BY THE NUMBERS. To add interest to the drill or to prevent
fatigue in long marches, right shoulder to left shoulder (or left shoulder to
right shoulder), or port arms may be given when marching at attention.

POSITION OF ORDER ARMS

Rest the butt of the rifle on ground with barrel to rear. Hold toe of the butt
against right shoe and on line with the toe. Hold rifle between thumb and
fingers of right hand, keeping the open part of the hand to the front and hand
and forearm behind the weapon. Hold left hand as in the position of
attention.
 TRAIL ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS

From order arms, the command is “TRAIL ARMS”. At the command,

“ARMS”, raise the rifle 2 inches and incline the muzzle forward so that the
barrel makes an angle of about 15 degrees with the vertical. Hold right arm
slightly bent.
ORDER ARMS FROM TRAIL ARMS

From trail arms, the command is “ORDER ARMS”. At the command

“ARMS”, lower rifle with right hand and resume the order.

PORT ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS

At order arms, the command is “PORT ARMS”. At the command “ARMS”

which is the count of (one) in this movement, raise the rifle with the right
hand and carry it diagonally across the front of the body until the right hand
is in front and slightly to the left of the face. The butt of the weapon is in
front of the right hip, with the barrel up. The barrel crosses a point opposite
the junction of neck and left shoulder. At the same time, grasp rifle at the
balance with the left hand, palm toward body with wrist straight and fingers
joined. (Two) Move right hand to the small of the stock, grasping it, palm
down, holding the right forearm horizontal; left elbow rests against the body.
The rifle is held approximately 4 inches from and parallel to the body.
 PRESENT ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS

At the order arms, the command is “PRESENT ARMS”. At the command

“ARMS”, which is the count of (one) in this movement, carry the rifle in
front of the center of body with right hand. The barrel is to the rear and
vertical. Grasp the rifle with left hand at the balance, the forearm horizontal
and resting against the body. (Two) Grasp the small of the stock with the
right hand.

ORDER ARMS FROM PRESENT ARMS

At present or port arms, the command is “ORDER ARMS”. On the

command “ARMS”, which is the count of (one) in this movement, move
right hand from its grasp on the stock and regrasp the weapon between the
upper sling swivel and stacking swivel. (Two) Release the grasp of the left
hand, lower rifle to the right so that the butt is 3 inches from the ground,
barrel to the rear, left hand with fingers extended and joined steadying the
rifle. Keep forearm and wrist straight and inclined downward. (Three)
Complete the order by lowering rifle gently to the ground with right hand.
Cut away the left hand smartly to side. Lower rifle gently but smartly. Do
not thrust it down forcibly.
 PRESENT ARMS FROM PORT ARMS

At port arms, the command is “PRESENT ARMS”. At the command

“ARMS”, lower and twist the rifle with the right hand, moving the rifle to a
vertical position and regrasping it just forward of the balance with the left
hand. This movement is executed in (one) count.

PORT ARMS FROM PRESENT ARMS

At present arms, the command is “PORT ARMS”. At the command

“ARMS”, raise and twist the rifle with the right hand, moving the muzzle
with left hand and regrasping the rifle at the balance with the left hand. This
movement is executed in (one) count.

PARADE REST FROM ORDER ARMS

At order arms, the command is, “PARADE REST”. At the command

“REST”, move the left foot smartly 12 inches to the left of the right foot,
keeping the legs straight so that the weight of the body rests equally on both
feet. At the same time, incline the muzzle of the rifle to the front. Extend
right arm with right hand grasping rifle just below the stacking swivel. Place
left hand behind body, resting it on small of back, palm flattened and to the
rear.
 ATTENTION FROM PARADE REST

At parade rest, the command is “TEAM (COLOR GUARD) ATTENTION”.

At the command “ATTENTION” resume the position of order arms.

RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS

At order arms, the command is “RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS”. On the

command “ARMS” (one) raise and carry the rifle diagonally across the body
with the right hand. At the same time grasp the rifle at the balance with the
left hand. (Two) Regrasp the butt with the right hand, the heel of the butt
between the first two fingers and thumb with fingers closed on the stock.
(Three) Without changing the grasp of the right hand, place the rifle on right
shoulder, barrel up and inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees from the
horizontal. Hold the right elbow against side of body with the forearm
horizontal, with the rifle in a vertical plane perpendicular to the front. The
trigger guard should be in the hollow of the right shoulder. At the same time
with the left hand at the small of the stock, thumb and fingers extended and
joined; guide the rifle to the right shoulder. The first joint of the forefinger
touches the rear end of the receiver. Hold wrist straight and elbow down.
(Four) Cut away left hand smartly to the side.
 PORT ARMS FROM RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS

At right shoulder arms, the command is “PORT ARMS”. On the command

“ARMS” (ONE) press the rifle butt down quickly and throw the rifle
diagonally across the body, at the same time turning the butt clockwise ¼
turn so as to bring the barrel up. Retain the grasp of right hand on the butt
and with the left, grasp the rifle at the balance. (Two) Move the right hand to
the small of the stock.

ORDER ARMS FROM RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS

At right shoulder arms, the command is “ORDER ARMS”. On the command

“ARMS”, execute the first movement as prescribed for port arms from right
shoulder arms. (Two) (Three) (Four) Execute the three movements
prescribed for order arms from port arms.

RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS FROM PORT ARMS

At port arms, the command is “RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS”. On the

command “ARMS” bring the right hand to the butt. (Two) (Three) Execute
the last two movements as prescribed for right shoulder arms from order
arms.
 LEFT SHOULDER ARMS FROM PORT ARMS

At port arms, the command is “LEFT SHOULDER ARMS”. At the

command “ARMS”, (One) release the grip of the left hand on the rifle and
with the right hand still grasping small of the stock, place rifle on left
shoulder, barrel up, trigger guard in the hollow of the shoulder. At the same
time, grasp the butt with left hand, heel of the butt between the first and
second fingers, thumb and fingers closed on the stock, left forearm
horizontal, left elbow against side. (Two) Drop right hand quickly to side.
Left shoulder arms also may be ordered when rifles are at the order, right
shoulder, or present. On the command “ARMS”, execute port arms and
continue in cadence to the position ordered.

PORT ARMS FROM LEFT SHOULDER ARMS

At left shoulder arms, the command is “PORT ARMS”. On the command

“ARMS”, (One) grasp the rifle with right hand at the small of the stock.
(Two) Release the grasp of left hand and at the same time carry the piece
with right hand to the position of port arms and then regrasp it with left
hand.
 ORDER (OR RIGHT SHOULDER) ARMS
FROM LEFT SHOULDER

At left shoulder arms, the commands are “ORDER or (LEFT SHOULDER)

ARMS”. On the command “ARMS” execute port arms and continue in
cadence to the position of order (or right shoulder).

MANUAL OF ARMS WHILE MARCHING

The manual of arms is not executed in marching except when marching at

attention, to change from right shoulder to left shoulder or port arms and the
reverse. These movements may be used to add interest to the drill or to
prevent fatigue in long marches at attention. The command of execution is
given as the foot in the direction of the desired movement strikes the ground.
One more step is taken and then the ordered movement is executed in the
cadence of the march.