For the most part, platoon drill merely provides the procedures for executing drill movements in conjunction with other squads formed in the same formation.

During all drill and ceremonies, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant carry their rifles at sling arms. When the platoon drills as part of a larger unit, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant remain at sling arms during all manual of arms movements except when executing the hand salute while at sling arms.

When the platoon drills as a separate unit, in a line formation, the post for the platoon leader is six steps in front of and centered on the platoon; when in a column formation, the platoon leader is six steps on the left flank and centered on the platoon.

When the platoon leader commands Open ranks, Backward, Right (Left) step, Forward, MARCH or causes the platoon to change interval, he moves at the same time (with the appropriate step) so as to maintain proper position.

When the platoon drills as part of a larger unit, in a line formation, the post for the platoon leader is six steps in front of and centered on the platoon; in a column formation, the platoon leader is at correct distance (one arm’s length plus 6 inches) in front of and centered between the second and third squad leaders. When assuming his post in column from a line formation, the platoon leader faces to the right in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to his post, halts, and faces to the left. When assuming his post in line from a column formation, the platoon leader faces to the left in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to his post, halts perpendicular to the formation, and faces to the right. When in column formation (company) and the command Column of twos from the right is given, the platoon leader faces to the right in marching, repositions himself in front of and centered between the squad leaders of the third and fourth squads, halts, and faces to the left. When the unit re-forms into a column of fours, he faces to the left in marching and resumes his original position in the column.

When the platoon drills as a separate unit, in a line formation, the post for the platoon sergeant is centered on the platoon at correct distance (one step) to the rear of the last rank. On the command Open ranks, MARCH; Backward, MARCH; Right (Left) step, MARCH; FORWARD, MARCH and on commands that cause the platoon to change interval in line, he moves at the same time (with the appropriate step) so as to maintain proper position. If a file or column of twos is formed, he remains in position until the last file has passed, faces to the half left (half right) in marching, and continues marching, positioning himself behind the last man in the file or in a column of twos, at the correct distance to the rear and centered between the two squads. When re-forming into a column of fours, the platoon sergeant follows the rear element and resumes his post in the column when the element has halted.

When the platoon drills as part of a larger formation, in a line formation, the platoon sergeant’s post is one step to the rear and centered on the platoon; in a column formation, the platoon sergeant is one step behind and centered between the second and third squads. When assuming his post in column from a line formation, the platoon sergeant faces to the left in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to his post. He then halts and faces to the right. When assuming his post in line from a column formation, he faces to the right in marching (on the command of execution FACE) and marches in the most direct route to his post, halts centered on the platoon, and faces to the left. When the platoon is in a column formation (company) and the command of Column of twos from the left is given, the platoon sergeant faces to the right in marching, repositions himself behind and centered between the third and fourth squads, halts, and faces to the left.

NOTE: When the files (columns) are uneven, the platoon sergeant normally directs the men in longer files to move to another file to balance the formation; or he may fill the vacancy himself as the last man in the right file.

The leader of the first squad serves as the base when the platoon is a line formation. The leader of the fourth squad serves as the base when the platoon is in a column formation.