Situation: Company milling about prior to parade or after dismissal.

Parade Leader - "Boxborough Company Fall-In"

Company Reaction -

All marchers fall into marching order

Parade Leader in front - center of road

Followed by Color Guard (2 flag bearers in middle with 2 musket bearers on outside)

Musicians behind Color Guard

Marchers behind Musicians in two columns.

Parade Leader - "To the Front Dress"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard aligns in straight row with 6 feet spacing (center line to centerline of individuals - approximately 4 feet between Color Guard members)

Marchers align in straight columns behind the outside members of the Color Guard (i.e., the musket bearers) Columns will be about 18feet apart center line to centerline- approximately16 feet between columns. There should be approximately 10 feet between Marchers in both columns (i.e., front to back).

 The Company Captain or his Designated Parade Leader is responsible  for:

Leading the Company in an organized and authoritative manner.

Memorizing and understanding all commands and their sequence.

Shouting commands in a clear voice so that all marchers can hear and understand the command (i.e., no shrinking violets).

Parade Leader - "To the Left Dress"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard looks left to ensure proper spacing and alignment

(Left most member of Color Guard looks forward - not to his right)

Marchers - Right column looks to left and aligns with Marcher on his left. Left column marchers keep eyes straight ahead ensures that 10 feet spacing with Marcher directly in front of him is established.

Parade Leader - "Attention" (Atten - shun)

Company Reaction-

Color Guard and Marchers bring feet together and stand erect.

Parade Leader - "Shoulder Firelocks"

Company Reaction- Color Guard and Marchers bring musket/flag/pike to LEFT shoulder. Left hand under the butt of the musket

Situation: Company at attention with muskets/flags/pike at left shoulder.

Parade Leader - Gets attention of Lead musician in order to ensure that the "MARCH" command is given in proper coordination with the drumbeat- Bass drummer will hold stick up to signify that musicians are prepared -”Forward March"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers begin marching- LEFT foot first-the drumbeat is used to synchronize the marchers- Left hits ground on specific beats (we will describe and practice this coordination). Marchers should all look to the Bass drummer for coordinating left/right steps (i.e., if the bass drummer is off at least we will all be off together).

Situation: During march.

Parade Leader - "Boxborough Company - Advance Firelocks"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers move muskets/flags/pike from one shoulder to the other shoulder. Once the Company is marching the only order for moving muskets/flags/pike from one shoulder to the other is "advance firelocks" (i.e., '"shoulder firelocks" is only used for bringing the muskets up tothe shoulder either from “attention" or from "trail"). NOTE: in large parades the Parade Leader will be in charge of ordering changes for the Color Guard - A marcher (typically the Pike Carrier at the rear of a column) will repeat the Parade Leaders command. Marchers should only move muskets on the command of the Pike Carrier.

Parade Leader - "Boxborough Company - Trail Firelocks"

Company Reaction -

Marchers move muskets from shoulder down to horizontal position held in the right hand with arm extended straight downwards.

NOTE: the only command for bringing muskets from "trail" position back to the shoulder is "Shoulder firelocks." (which puts the musket on the left shoulder).

Parade Leader - "Boxborough Company - Wheel Left (or Right)"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers commence a turn to the Left (or Right). The turn is made while in motion at approximately the same position on the road as when initiated by the Parade Leader. A “Wheel” turn is not a sharp turn but a turn with straight rows along a constant radius (i.e., on a wheel left the left column will need to take smaller steps than the right column).

Situation: Approaching reviewing stand during march

Parade Leader - "Boxborough Company - Present Arms" (Parade Leader raises sword in front)

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers move muskets/flags/pike to a vertical position directly in front of themselves.

Situation: Parade Leader reaches reviewing stand during march.

Parade Leader - "Boxborough Company - Eyes Left (or right)”

(Parade Leader lowers sword point towards reviewing stand but keeps eyes forward)

Company Reaction -

Color Guard musket holder on the side of the reviewing stand looks straight ahead. Color Guard musket holder on side away from the reviewing stand looks to reviewing stand. Boxborough flag is lowered while U.S. flag remains upright - Flag bearers remain looking straight ahead. The column of Marchers on the side of the reviewing stand remains looking straight ahead. The column of Marchers on the side away from the reviewing stand turn heads to look at the reviewing stand.

Situation: Parade Leader wants to bring Company to a stop during march.

Parade Leader - This command must be coordinated with the drum beat - this will require practice for the Parade Leader, musicians, Color Guard and Marchers.

“Company- Halt- one- two." Marching stops on the "two" not on "halt"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers prepare to stop marching in unison.

Listen for the drum beat as that is the real signal to stop (you probably won't always be able to hear the Parade Leader shout “two.") 

Situation: Company has stopped during march.

Parade Leader - "Order Firelocks"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers put Musket/Flag/Pike butt on the ground - while remaining at attention.

Situation: Company has stopped during march with muskets down but still at attention- if it appears to be a long stop, Parade Leader should give the Company a break. (Parade Leader can resume march if brief stop with "Shoulder firelocks" "Forward march" command sequence).

Parade Leader - “Order Firelocks”

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers keep Musket/Flag/Pike butt on the ground and while remaining at attention lean muskets forward -After moving muskets forward (in unison) Company is no longer at attention and is free to mill about within ranks.

Special Situation: Firing Party during Boxborough's Memorial Day Parade. - Parade Leader will lead Firing Party

Parade Leader - “Company Left (or Right) Face”

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers will turn in place in unison to the left (or right) on the shouted "face" command.

Parade Leader - “Color Guard Advance to the Front”

Company Reaction -

Color Guard will march in unison to the front of the Company executing a squared turn after clearing the Company's rank. Color Guard will stop (without command) when the lead musket bearer reaches the Parade Leader's designated position. (Parade Leader will point to a position with his sword). Color Guard will turn in place (without a command) after stopping.

Parade Leader - "Firing Party - Fall In"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers (not in Firing Party) remain at attention throughout ceremony with muskets on shoulders.

Members of the Firing Party will leave ranks (not marching) and form up at the Parade Leader's designated position in a single file. (Parade Leader will point to a position with his sword).

Parade Leader - "Firing Party - Attention"

Firing Party Reaction -

Come to attention in a single file - spaced about 10 feet apart.

Parade Leader - "Shoulder firelocks"

Firing Party Reaction -

Bring muskets to left shoulder while staying at attention.

Parade Leader - "Forward march"

Firing Party Reaction -

Firing Party will march in single file following the Parade Leader (note no turn commands will be given)

Parade Leader - "Firing Party - Halt - one -two"

Special Situation: Requirement to present arms during ceremony such as Boxborough's Memorial Day Parade.

Parade Leader- "Company Atten'shun"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers will in unison snap to attention in formal and still pose

Parade Leader- "Company Left (or Right) Pace"

Company Reaction -

Color Guard and Marchers will turn in place in unison to the left (or right) on the shouted "face" command.

Parade Leader - "Company, pre-sent firelocks"

Company Reaction -

Company will move firelocks to "present" position-see attached illustration and will move right foot behind left foot. Flag bearers will also move their respective flags to their "present" angles.

Parade Leader - "Company, shoulder firelocks"

Company Reaction -

Company will move firelocks and flags back to shoulder arms position at attention