Advancement Exam E-6: Chain of Command

National Chain of Command

• Commander in Chief: President Donald J. Trump
• Vice President of the United States: Vice President James D. Vance
• Secretary of Defense: Honorable Pete Hegseth
• Secretary of State: Honorable Marco Rubio
• Secretary of the Navy: Honorable John Phelan
• Chief of Naval Operations: Admiral James Kilby
• Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy: MCPON (AW/NAC) James Honea
• Chairman Joint Chief of Staff: Lieutenant General Dan Caine
• Vice Chairman Joint Chief of Staff: Admiral Christopher W. Grady
• Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps: Sergeant Major Carlos A. Ruiz
• Commandant of the Marine Corps: General Eric M. Smith
• Commander, Naval Education & Training: Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Jeffrey J. Czerewko
• Commander, Naval Service Training Command: Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Craig T. Mattingly
• NJROTC Area 8 Manager: Captain Reagan Kieff
• GHS Senior Naval Science Instructor: Master Chief Derrick Robinson
• GHS Naval Science Instructor: Senior Chief Stanley Weaver

Guide On

• The "guide on" is the individual (base) upon whom a formation regulates its march.
• To guide is to regulate interval, direction, or alignment and to regulate cadence on a base file (right, left, or center).
• The guide holds the indication flag.
• The guidon can be displayed in the classroom and when carried in formation.
• When selecting a guidon bearer, the SNSI or NSI should choose someone outstanding in bearing, appearance, and ability.
• When acting as a guidon bearer, the individual is considered under arms and does not have to carry a weapon; if a weapon is carried, it will be slung.
• The guidon is used for present guidon, parade rest, and order guidon with the company.
• The sword is drawn by unit leaders when the unit or drill team is armed with drill rifles, except when at ease, rest, route step, at ease march, or inspecting cadets.
• After inspection, the unit leader returns the sword before accompanying the inspecting party.
• The command to initiate is “Squad (Platoon, or Company), ATTENTION,” which transitions into parade rest.
• The command “ATTENTION” transitions into order arms in one count.
• From Fall Out, the command is “FALL IN,” which returns individuals to their place in ranks.

Sword Salute

• The ancient history of the sword salute is retained in today's salute.
• Holding the sword at arm's length was originally a salute to a superior.
• Descending the sword's point to the ground symbolizes submission.
• Bringing the sword hilt to the mouth or chin is linked to the custom of kissing the cross of the sword.

USS Constitution

• Oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy: USS CONSTITUTION
• Nickname: Old Ironsides

Guidon (Rifle) Salute

• The command is GUIDON, (RIFLE) SALUTE.
• This movement can be executed on command while in formation, or individually if the guidon bearer is en route to or from formation.
• It is executed on two counts.
• On the command "SALUTE", move the left hand, palm down, to a position above the right hand, with the left arm parallel to the deck, keeping the thumb and fingers straight.
• Touch the staff with the forefinger's first joint.
• Turn your head and eyes to the person being saluted.
• On the command READY, TO, or after the salute, move your left hand back to your side and look to the front.
• At order guidon, the ferrule rests on the deck touching the outside edge of the right shoe close to the right toe.
• The staff is grasped in the “V” grip, the right elbow remains close to the side to help support the staff with the forearm.
• The upper staff rests in the hollow of the right shoulder.
• The staff is vertical with the spearhead's flat side facing front, while the body remains at attention.
• When acting as guidon bearer, the individual is considered under arms and does not have to carry a weapon; if a weapon is carried, it will be slung.
• The guidon is brought to present guidon, parade rest, and order guidon with the company.
• The guidon may be carried in either hand at route step or at ease march.

Fall Out

• The command is “FALL OUT.”
• At the command, leave ranks but remain nearby or proceed to a pre-designated area.
• When “FALL IN” is given, return to ranks at attention.
• The command fall out can only be given from attention.

Ready Guidon

• READY GUIDON FROM ORDER OR CARRY GUIDON: This movement is used as a signal for cadets in executing commands when hearing verbal commands is difficult.
• On the preparatory command, reach across the body and grasp the staff with the left hand.
• Change the grasp to the strong grip, while raising the staff with the left hand until the ferrule is 6 inches above the deck, holding the staff vertically with the right hand.

Double Time

• For marching at double time, on the preparatory command, bring the staff across the body with the spearhead to the left.
• The right hand grasps the same spot as at carry.
• The right forearm is level with the deck and the elbow against the body.
• Grip the staff with the left hand in front of where the neck and left shoulder join.
• The spearhead's flat side should face front.