[going hot]

Mostly taught to carry at port arms, because that was what was in the manual. However, as wars became more closely fought, and the enemy was closer and closer, rifles were carried more at the ready. Even in wwI or wwII, if in the bush, and enemy close, rifles were carried pointed forward at the ready. In the nam, parachord was used to tie to the front sight and the stock thus enabling the rifle to hang at the ready off the shoulder.

The movies of earlier soldiers portrayed the carrying the rifle at port arms because that is what the soldiers did if not engaged in close combat. however, the movies would often show them at port arms even in close combat, wheras, in reality, the rifle would be held more ready to engage in actual combat, because the GI was actually there, scared Shiite less, and ready to pull the trigger at any sign of movement in the bush.

[ArrogantBustard]

I am trying very hard NOT to post stills from movies. FWIW.

Low Ready sucks with a full length battle rifle even when you don't have a bayonet fixed ...

I'll post a few from WWII of Soldiers with carbines or SMGs for comparison.