Made in 1957, as the U.S. entered a decade of civil unrest, this U.S. Army film is about RIOT CONTROL FORMATIONS. As the narrator explains: “A crowd becomes a mob when it is given direction and purpose by its leaders and when it is psychologically conditioned to carry out its purpose with wilds. A mob is a responsibility of local law enforcement agencies. If they can’t maintain the order here, the military can be called upon by higher authorities to come take charge.” Here at mark 0:23 we have a scene of mob action. At mark 01:05, we have the military performing their riot control formations. There are three basic riot control formations. First, there is the wedge formation which designed to penetrate the mob and split them into sequence, this is displayed at mark 01:29. At mark 01:37, we have the line formation which is designed to hold the mob in place and deny its access to an area or push it straight back and the echelon formation which is shown at mark 01:45. It is designed to turn the mob in either open or build up areas. Any of the formation may be executed from a column or from another formation. At mark 02:04, we have all the formations been displayed. All of them are extremely flexible and can be used by a squad, or larger unit. Three positions of the rifle are used at mark 02:24 and each has its functions. The up position, safeguard and the on guard position which shows complete readiness. At mark 03:15, we have the troops perfecting the various formations. The first to be demonstrated is the line. The number 2 man is the base, all odd numbers to the left and even numbers to the right. The squad leader takes the charge. At mark 04:00, we see the squad falling into formation. The squad wedge at mark 04:55, is also formed on the number 2 man with odd numbered men to his left and even numbers to his right. The squad leader then gives the hand signal for the formation. The squad leader takes his position behind the formation. We also have the echelon formation at mark 05:53, which can either be turned left or right. Here the number 2 is the base man also and the men are in numerical order. Here at mark 06:45, we have the squad performing the echelon formation. When troops are at site of the mob, they are always out of site of the mob, so they don’t notice their preparation as we have at mark 07:15. Weapons other than the riffles are carried as needed as seen at mark 08:18. At mark 09:37, we have the platoon forming into formation after the hand signal had been made by the platoon leader, then the squad leader orders follow in, while the order two order stand fast. The platoon leader gives where he want the troops to form then the order squad leader calls the order. At mark 10:20 we have two echelon formations, one to the right and the other to the left after following their squad leaders and the assistant. They all fall within the wedge formation. At mark 11:10, we have the review of the formation. At 12:43, we have the wedge formation extension. The platoon wedge is impressive. At mark 14:15, we have the troops on a line formation, each squad forms on its number 2 man. They then close and dress on the second. The commander gives command. At mark 15:15, we have the lateral support review. At mark 15:40, the platoon reviews the echelon position following the signal of their leader. This is the only formation in which the squad and squad members remain in numerical order. With the 4th squad leading following by the 3rd, 2nd and 1st. at mark 17: 17, we have the platoon leader giving order to form into the echelon position. He has the right to move them into close or lateral support. At mark 20:40, we have the troops forming their line between the vehicles and on their flanks. The number one vehicles move up behind number two. And each line covers their flanks to prevent rioters from covering their sides and rear. At mark 21:10, we have the review. We have the vehicle formation review for the wedge, line and the echelon formation. Company size formation usually starts with the column as seen in mark 22:45. On command of execution, they form the line. With adequately trained personnel, the three basic riot control formations, the line, the wedge and the echelon and their numerous variations have proven themselves time and again as reliable means for dispersing the mob, restoring law and order, and protecting lives and properties as we see at mark 23:57.