TM-9-2350-311-10 M109 Operator's Manual for M109A2, M109A3, M109A4 and M109A5 Download
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TM 9-2350-311-10 1–15 DRILL PROCEDURES — CONTINUED 1-15.1 Forming the Section — Continued a. To Fall In. At the first formation of a drill or exercise, the caution “AS HOWITZER SECTION” precedes the first preparatory command. After the chief of section takes his post, either the execution command of “FALL IN” or the preparatory and execution commands of “IN FRONT (REAR) OF YOUR PIECE, FALL IN” is given. Howitzer crew members move at double time and format close interval, at attention, guiding on the gunner. The howitzer section vehicle driver is to the left of the howitzer driver. b. To Call Off. Once the section is formed, the command “CALL OFF” is given by the chief of section. All personnel, except the gunner, then execute eyes right. Each section member will then call off in sequence; for example, “GUNNER,” “AMMO TEAM CHIEF,” “ASSISTANT GUNNER,” “1,“ “2,” “3,” “HOWITZER DRIVER,” “AMMO VEHICLE DRIVER.” Each soldier, except the gunner, turns his head smartly to the front as he calls out his designation. 1–15.2 Posting the Section To post the section the preparatory and execution commands are “CANNONEERS, POSTS.” The command is general and is applicable whether the section is in or out of ranks, at a halt, or marching. All movements are executed at double time and are terminated at the position of attention. The howitzer section moves to posts as shown in the following figures. 1–15.3 Changing Posts To acquaint howitzer section members with all duties, posts should be changed often. After forming the section, either of the following preparatory and execution commands are used; “CHANGE POSTS, MARCH” or “SECTION CHANGE POSTS, MARCH.” a. When the commands, “CHANGE POSTS, MARCH,” are used, the ammunition team chief, the assistant gunner, and numbered cannoneers except cannoneer no. 3 take two left steps, taking the position of the next higher numbered cannoneers. At the same time, cannoneer no. 3 moves at double time in rear of the rank to the post of the assistant gunner. All other members of the section stand fast. b. When the commands, “SECTION CHANGE POSTS, MARCH,” are used, all members of the section except the individual at the extreme left take two left steps. The excepted individual moves at double time in rear of the section and takes the post of the gunner. 1-42