You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.

Dr. Drill,

When I was in the Marine Corps we used the M-1 rifle. Can you do right, left or about faces when you are at order arms ( attention )? I was in the Korean War.

Dr. Drill responds:

A Korean vet, huh? Well, thanks for your service in the 'Forgotten War'. 'Forgotten'? That's right, kids! WWII and Vietnam got pretty much all the attention; but not the best TV shows! Dr. Drill loved M*A*S*H back in the day. Remember the one where Alex Karas played a Marine and Hawkeye saved his life, so he started following Hawkeye around like a combination butler/enforcer, and then Hawkeye 'mailed' Karas home to his father in Crabapple Cove with a letter that said, "Dear Dad, I'm sending you this Marine. He'll be the son you never had. Love, Hawkeye"?

That was awesome....

But, of course, Vietnam had Dana Delany, Korea had Loretta Swit. The Doctor has to give credit to Vietnam on that one.

Oh, that's right, you had a question!

This one was actually pretty easy (I just stretched it a little to get the pic of Dana Delany up there!). I remembered seeing an old 'Guidebook for Marines' from the fifties that showed the manual of arms with the M1, but that was years ago (I'm not saying how many). I couldn't remember for sure, but I was pretty sure. Anyway, I would have been dumbfounded if you couldn't face with the M1 at the order, but I wanted to be sure.

It turns out I needn't have worried. I found exactly what I needed in the current MCO P5060.20 "MARINE CORPS DRILL AND CEREMONIES MANUAL".

3-4. TRAIL ARMS a. When at order arms and a command is given to move a unit a short distance, to face the unit, or to align the unit, trail arms is executed automatically on the command of execution for the movement. The rifle is returned to order arms gently and without command upon completion of the movement.

A-3. TRAILS ARMS FROM ORDER ARMS

1. The command is “Trail, ARMS.” It may be given only from order arms. It is executed in one count. On “ARMS,” close the fingers and thumb of your right hand around the upper hand guard. This will raise the rifle butt 2 inches from the deck and point the muzzle slightly forward. Do not bend your elbow. In the proper position the rifle will form a 15-degree angle with your leg. (See figure A-4.) Remain at trail arms until order arms is given.

2. Trail arms is used for short distance movements. If a marching movement (a side step, back step, or forward march) is ordered while at order arms come to trail arms automatically on the command of execution for the marching movement. The same applies for facing movements, while at order arms.

So, aboslutely no problem whatsoever: when the time comes to face with the rifle, you go to the 'trail' position with the butt lifted a little off the deck and turn until you get dizzy and throw up. The trick, as you probably remember, is to set the rifle down gently. You want at most a slight 'click' rather than a distinct noise.

Thanks for writing!

Dr. Drill