Officer posting in formations.

2014-03-18T11:09:00-04:00

I have perused the D&C reg, but it is extremely vague, at best.

Given a Company, BN, or BDE formation, the 1SG/CSM will fall in the group, give his spill, then turn over the formation to the Commander. The commander calls 'Post,' at which point his officers take charge of the subordinate units (Platoons or Companies or BNs, etc) at which point in time the enlisted member in charge awkwardly exits the formation.

Why is this designed in such a manner, and what is the proper time for the enlisted member to exit the formation in this situation? Immediately, 6 paces, 3 paces, etc? Watching other higher enlisted, it seems like everyone just does it their own way - certainly there has to be something in the reg to cover it.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 18 at 2014 11:16 AM

2014-03-18T11:16:58-04:00

Our leaders always stood one in front one in back and at post circled the formation the opposite way of each other. Or alternately, they officer came from the back, received a salute from the NCOIC, returned the salute and the NCO departed to the rear of the formation opposite the direction the officer had come from. Always seemed to work fine and there was never any awkwardness

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 1:04 AM

2014-03-22T01:04:25-04:00

Any other thoughts?

Response by SSG James Doherty made Mar 22 at 2014 1:47 AM

2014-03-22T01:47:03-04:00

When turning over the formation to a senior the junior is to, while facing the formation, take one step forward, execute an about face and salute the senior. The senior returns the salute. Junior then procedes to their left around the formation and assumes the position at the back of the formation. The senior then takes one step forward, executes an about face and awaits the commanders instructions.

Response by SSG Robert Blum made Mar 22 at 2014 11:39 AM

2014-03-22T11:39:09-04:00

If I'm reading this the way I think I am. When a Commander gives the command post, the subordinate officers (standing centered behind their element) Make a left face and March around the left of their element. The Enlisted member conducts a Right face as soon as the officer comes into his/her view, (normally as the officer is passing the front rank and marches around the right side of the element and assumes the position the officer was in. He or she never leaves the formation.  The Term "Post" is defined as the "correct place for an Officer or Non Commissioned Officer to stand in a Formation.Why do we do it? When the 1SG/CSM etc. are out front, the NCOs are in charge are the formation, therefore the subordinate elements have NCOs out front. When the Commander takes charge of the Formation he/she "Posts" his/her subordinate Officers signifying that the Officers are now in charge of the formation.  It works the same way for all Echelons. Its part of our military tradition, and should not be altered unit to unit.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2014 3:03 PM

2014-07-25T15:03:56-04:00

Does anyone know any cases where it's correct for NCO's to be standing in the back of the Platoon formations with the Officers?