What is the difference between "present arms" and "order arms" in drill terms?

• A. Present arms moves the weapon to the chest; Order arms moves to the shoulders
• B. Order arms is a salute; Present arms returns to the port
• C. Present arms is bringing the weapon to a salute; Order arms returns the weapon to the port or rest position
• D. They are identical commands with no difference

Answer: (C)

Present arms is the ceremonial salute. It moves the rifle from the resting side position up into a formal salute position to acknowledge an officer or the audience. Order arms is the return to the normal rest position at the side after the salute. So the correct choice captures the idea that present arms brings the weapon to a salute, while order arms brings it back to the port/rest position. The other ideas mix up the purpose or the movement, or claim there’s no difference, which isn’t the case.