What is cover in military terms?

In military terminology, "cover" refers to the practice of aligning yourself behind the person directly in front of you. This concept is crucial in maintaining proper formation and ensuring that each soldier is positioned in a way that provides support and protection for one another during maneuvers. The alignment fosters a cohesive unit where soldiers can effectively maintain their formation and respond quickly to commands or threats.

When soldiers are in formation, being in cover means that they reduce gaps that could create vulnerabilities in the line. It's an essential part of maintaining operational integrity in both training and combat situations, allowing for better communication and coordination among unit members.

The other options represent various military stances or arrangements but do not encapsulate the specific definition of cover. Standing at ease pertains to a relaxed stance during a formation, maintaining distance between ranks involves spacing between soldiers, and resting in formation does not address the alignment or positional strategy critical to the concept of cover. Each of these options relates to posture or spacing rather than the precise tactical alignment that cover entails.