Manual of the Staff

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By Edward Reimer

The "Manual of the Staff" has been simplified by the elimination of the positions of Port Staff, Right Shoulder Staff, Left Shoulder Staff and Secure Staff, and by reducing it to simpler positions and motives.

First: FALL IN is executed with the staff at Order Staff. FALL OUT, REST, and AT EASE, are executed as without staves. On resuming attention, the position of order staff is taken.

Second: Unless otherwise ordered, Scouts take the position of Trail Staff at the command MARCH.

Third: The dress, side step and back step are executed at the position of Trail Staff without command, resuming Order on halting. The same holds good for taking interval or distance, open and close ranks.

Fourth: The staff is brought to the Order on halting. The execution of Order Staff begins when the halt is completed.

Fifth: A disengaged hand in double time is held as when without staves.

The following general rules govern the execution of the Manual of the Staff:

First: In all positions of the left hand at the balance, the thumb clasps the staff.

Second: The cadence of the motions is that of quick time.

Third: The Manual is taught at a halt and the movements are, for the purposes of instruction, divided into motions and taught in detail; in which case the command of execution determines the prompt execution of the first motion, and the commands two, three, four, that of the other motions.

To execute the motions in detail, the instructor first cautions: By the numbers. All movements divided into motions are then executed as above explained until he cautions: Without the numbers, or commands movements other than those in the Manual of the Staff.

Position of Order Staff, standing: Foot of staff resting on the ground against toe of right shoe, arms and hands hanging naturally, right hand holding the staff between the thumb and fingers, staff in hollow of right shoulder.

Being at order staff: (1) Present, (2) STAFF. Carry the staff to the center of the body with the right hand, grasp it with the left hand at the balance, forearm horizontal and resting against the body, staff vertical. (2) Grasp the staff with the right hand below the left.

Being at present staff: (1) Order, (2) STAFF. Carry and lower the staff to the right side with the right hand, steadying it with the left hand, fingers extended and joined. (2) Drop the left hand smartly by the side.

Being at order staff: (1) Parade, (2) REST. Carry the right foot six inches straight to the rear, left knee slightly bent; carry the top of the staff in front of the center of the body, butt remaining in place; grasp the staff with the left hand in front of the buckle of the belt, with the right hand immediately below and against the left.

Being at parade rest: (1) Patrol, (2) ATTENTION. Resume the order, the left hand quitting the staff opposite the right hip.

Being at order staff: (1) Trail, (2) STAFF. Raise the staff slightly, right arm slightly bent, staff sloping forward to make an angle of about 36 degrees with the vertical. When it can be clone without inconvenience to others, the staff may be lowered until horizontal and carried at the balance.

Being at trail staff: (1) Order, (2) STAFF. Lower the staff with the right hand and resume the order.

Being at order staff: (1) Ground, (2) STAFF. Take one step to right oblique with the right foot, the staff at the trail, at the same time place staff on ground, perpendicular to the front, about 12 inches to the right of the right foot, left hand steadying the body by resting on the left knee. (2) Let go the staff and resume the position of attention.

Being at the attention: (1) Take, (2) STAFF. Take one step to right oblique with the right foot, lean down and regrasp the staff at the balance, left hand steadying body by resting on knee. (2) Lift staff and take the position of order staff.

See Also:

Scout Staff, Staves

Scout Drill

More on Making Scout Staves

Practical Uses for Scout Staves

Traditional Scout Staves

Carving Scout Staff Totems

Making Metal Stave Medallions

Scout Stave Positions & Drill