What is the difference between 'Present arms' and 'Order arms'?

• A. Present arms carries the weapon, Order arms leaves it at parade rest.
• B. Present arms is for officers only; Order arms is for enlisted.
• C. Present arms means march; Order arms means stop.
• D. Present arms is the salute to a weapon or ceremonial; Order arms returns the weapon to the port or to rest.

Answer: (D)

Present arms is the ceremonial salute with a weapon. It’s used to honor someone or something in a formal setting, so the rifle is brought to a specific salute position and held briefly as the ceremony is acknowledged. Order arms is the command that ends the salute and returns the weapon to its normal carry/rest position for moving on with the formation. This distinction matters because you only present arms during a ceremonial salute, and you order arms to resume the standard stance afterward.