What is Close Interval?

• A. The lateral space between Soldiers, measured from right to left by the Soldier on the right placing the heel of his left hand on his hip, even with the top of his belt line, fingers and thumbs extended and downward.
• B. The lateral space between Soldiers, measured from right to left by raising both arms shoulder high with the fingers extended and joined so that the fingertips are touching the fingertips of the Soldier to the right and left.
• C. The lateral space between Soldiers, measured from right to left by the Soldier on the right holding his left arm shoulder high, fingers and thumb extended and joined, with the tip of his middle finger touching the right shoulder of the Soldier to his left.
• D. The lateral space between Soldiers, measured from right to left by counting steps between adjacent Soldiers.

Answer: (A)

Close interval is a fixed, body-based way to set the spacing between Soldiers in a line so the formation looks uniform. The standard method uses the Soldier on the right placing the heel of his left hand on his hip, even with the top of his belt line, with fingers and thumbs extended downward. That hand position creates a repeatable reference from one person to the next, ensuring the gap stays the same regardless of height or stride.

This description is the best because it uses a consistent reference point on the body to measure the distance, making the spacing reliable and quick to establish in a drill. The other methods rely on arm positions or counting steps, which can vary with arm reach or stride length and don’t provide the same precise, repeatable measure for close intervals.