Walking is a type of walking that requires you to maintain a fixed pace and cadence. It is an integral part of military training and is also important for marching bands and parades. Each military body has slightly different rules regarding marches, drills and ceremonies. It is important to know the specific rules that you will need to follow, although some basic concepts apply to all forms of this discipline. By learning the required positions and movements you will be able to march in any formation, alone or in a battalion.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning Stationary Positions
Step 1. Beware
There are two possible orders to indicate the attentive: "Gathering" is used to bring together soldiers in formation or to return the marchers to their original arrangement. "Attentive" is the order given during the rest position. You should react to both orders by standing at attention.
- Bring your heels together, with your toes pointing slightly outward, to form a 45 degree angle between them.
- Try to stay balanced on the entire sole of the foot.
- Don't lock your knees and keep your legs straight.
- Keep your shoulders parallel, chest out, and upper body aligned with your hips.
- Keep your arms at the sides of your body, without tensing up. You should keep your fingers slightly bent, with the thumbs touching the first joint of the index finger.
- Keep your thumbs aligned with the seam of your pants, with the first joint of your index finger touching your legs.
- Remain silent when you are at attention, do not move and do not speak unless you are allowed to do so.
- A variant of attention is snapping to attention. After that order, everyone has to get to attention with particular speed. The heels must be joined with a snap.
Step 2. Assume the parry rest position
This is an order addressed to the marchers who are at attention. This type of rest is also known as a "halt rest position".
- Do not assume the parade rest position if you do not receive an explicit order.
- After receiving your order, keep your right foot on the ground, moving your left foot about 25 cm further to the left.
- Keep your legs straight, but don't lock your knees. Keep your weight on the soles of your feet, as you did in the attentive position.
- Keep both hands behind you, near your lower back. Extend your fingers and bring your thumbs together, with your right palm facing out.
- Keep your hands clasped in the center of your lower back.
- Keep your head and gaze straight in front of you, as you did in an attentive position.
- Don't talk or move unless instructed to do so.
Step 3. Answer the "Stand at ease"
The order "Stand at ease", in use in many Anglophone armies, is similar to the parade rest position, with the exception that the gaze must be directed directly at the person in charge of your formation. As in the parade rest position, you cannot move or speak unless you are explicitly instructed to do so.
Step 4. React to the "At ease" order
This order is similar to the previous one, but allows you to move slightly. In any case, a marcher who receives this order must still keep his right foot stationary and must remain silent unless instructed otherwise.
Step 5. Rest
The order "Rest" is the last rest position at halt. After receiving this order, a marcher may move his arms, speak, smoke or drink water, unless otherwise directed. During this position, each person must keep their right foot still on the ground.
Step 6. Change orientation from the attentive position
There are five movements that the walker must learn: Right flank (90 ° and 45 °), Left flank (90 ° and 45 °) and Back front. Each of these movements is performed from the attentive position.
- Right and left side After the order, slightly lift the right heel and the toes of the left foot, to rotate 90 ° in the direction indicated. Always keep your arms at your sides and at the end of the order also bring your feet back to the attentive position.
- Behind the front. Move your right toes about 6 inches behind and to the left of your left heel. At the end of the order, turn around 180 °, always keeping your arms in an attentive position.
- 45 ° rotations are performed only in situations where a 90 ° rotation would not cause the marchers to turn in the desired direction. They are usually used to honor the flag, during the wake-up or retreat.
Step 7. Conduct the military salute
The greeting is performed after the "Greeting" command. It can be given while walking or at rest. During the march, only the person in charge of the formation greets and acknowledges a greeting. If the formation is in a tight march, the pace must slow down before the salute.
- If you are wearing a hat with a visor, at the order you must quickly raise your right hand, with the fingers extended and together. Keep your palm facing down and touch the brim of the hat with the tip of your index finger, just to the right of your right eye.
- If you are wearing a hat without a peak or if you do not have a hat, the greeting is identical, but you must bring your hand up to the forehead, just to the right of the right eyebrow.
- If you are wearing glasses and a hat without a visor (or if you do not have a hat), the greeting is identical, but you must bring your hand to touch the glasses, where the frame meets the right edge of the right eyebrow.
- If you have been instructed to return to attention after a greeting, quickly return your hand to your hip and resume your position.
Part 2 of 3: Performing the Walking Steps
Step 1. Learn basic walking information
Even if you're looking to learn on your own, it's best to learn the basics the whole team needs to know. This will help you in the solitary march and in the one in formation.
- All movements performed after the order of alt="Image" must start from the attention position.
- All walking movements, except those without cadence, are performed at attention.
- Attention walking combines the attention stance with the required steps.
- If you are doing movements after a halt, each of them, except "Right Step", must start with the left foot.
- A step is considered to be the distance between one heel and another.
- All walking steps are performed at a rapid pace, i.e. 120 steps per minute. The only exception is running gear, which climbs up to 180 paces per minute, indicated by the order "Running".
Step 2. Perform the 75 cm step
If you receive the "Next march '" command, you need to perform this step. It is a two-part movement. On "Forward", bring your weight lightly onto your right foot. At the "March '", step forward 75 cm, stepping forward with your left foot. Continue with these steps, alternating legs.
- Do not bend your elbows and do not make exaggerated movements.
- Let your arms swing in a natural motion. Try to bring them about 20 cm in front of you and 15 cm behind you.
- Keep your eyes and head facing forward.
- Make sure you always keep your fingers slightly bent, such as in the attentive position.
Step 3. Stop after a march
Before receiving the "Alt" command, you will hear the setup order, "Squad" or "Platoon", when one of the feet strikes the ground. The final "Alt" order will come on the next step.
- Bring the back leg up to the height of the front one.
- Take the position of attention.
- Don't move until further notice.
Step 4. Change step
The order to change pace is only given to a marcher who does not follow the pace of all the other members of the formation, but it is very important to learn it if you are hoping to march with companions. You will only feel it during marches with 75cm steps.
- You will receive the order "Change step, march".
- You will hear "Step change" when your right foot hits the ground.
- On the "March", take another step with the left foot, then, on the count of "Uno", bring the toes of the right foot close to the left heel.
- Take another step with your left foot.
- Keep swinging your arms naturally and try to follow the pace of everyone else in the formation.
Step 5. Walk without cadence
This rest movement is ordered during the marches at 75 cm pitch. You will hear the "Rest" command when one of your feet strikes the ground. When the "March" arrives you will no longer have to follow the cadence of the rest of the formation.
Even if you are not required to continue marching following a predetermined pace, you must still remain silent, keeping roughly the previous cadence and the distance between your companions
Step 6. Walk without free cadence
This march is identical to the previous one. The only difference is that you are allowed to drink from your water bottle and talk to your fellow travelers.
Step 7. March in place
To march on the spot, you will receive the order "Mark the way". It will come when one of your feet hits the ground, during a walk with 75cm or 50cm steps. At the word "Step", place your back foot alongside your front foot and start marching in place.
- Alternately lift your feet 5cm off the ground.
- Don't move your feet forward. Just march in place, alternating them.
- Swing your arms naturally, as you would during a long stride march.
- If you get the order "Forward, march", take another step in place before the "March", then start the long stride march.
Part 3 of 3: Marching in Formation
Step 1. Maintain proper distance from teammates
During the march in formation it is important to keep the right distance from the person in front of you. This is to ensure that each member of the lineup keeps pace and doesn't run into someone else.
The correct distance between two marchers is the distance of an arm plus another 15 cm (about 80-90 cm total)
Step 2. Form a team
Teams typically line up. A platoon can be placed in a column if each member of the formation can identify their precise position. Usually, this only happens when each person's equipment has been left on the ground.
- The leader of the platoon will put himself in a position of attention and give the command of "Rally".
- At the "Gathering" order you have to run to your position in formation and follow the example of the person furthest to the right.
- Take the position of attention, turn your head and gaze to the right, then raise your left arm as does the partner on your right.
- Keep your left arm raised to shoulder height, with the elbow locked, fingers extended and together, palm facing down.
- Take small steps forward or backward to align with the partner on your right.
- Take small steps to the right or left to get to touch the fingers of the partner on your right with the shoulder.
- When you have assumed the position, lower your arm to your side, turn your head and gaze forward, then resume the attentive position.
Step 3. March with your team
If you have to cover short distances you will probably march in line, moving forward. Over greater distances, you will likely march in column. If you have to switch from a line formation to a column formation, you will receive the order "Right side".
Step 4. Change direction of travel
If you have to walk a short distance in the column, you may be instructed to change direction. You will hear the command "Right side, march".
- At the order "Fanco right" or "Fianco sinistr", the foot that hits the ground indicates the direction in which you must march.
- At the "March" order, take a step, rotate 90 degrees on the front of the front foot, to face the desired direction, then set off with the rear foot in the new direction.
- As you start marching in the new direction with your team, look out of the corner of your eye and line up to the right to make sure you are in the correct position within the formation.
Step 5. Break the lines
The "Break the Lines" allows you to leave a formation, but it does not indicate the end of the training day (if you do not receive different instructions before the "Break the Lines" command). You will receive the order at attention. If you are marching with weapons, you will hear one of the following orders before breaking the lines:
- Weapons Inspection.
- "Presentat 'arm".
- Return to attention.
- Finally, you will receive the order "Break the lines".
Advice
- Always consider walking cadence and step frequency. Following the right pace will allow you to keep up with others.
- Practice as much as possible to perfect your skills.
- At first, marching may seem like an awkward movement and you may have a hard time keeping up with others. Don't be discouraged: if you practice enough, you will be able to memorize the movements.
- Stretch your muscles before and after exercises. Many walking and exercise movements require you to stay still or move stiffly for long periods, with the risk of cramps and aches.
- Always remain serious when marching or practicing. Do not talk to peers if you are not in complete rest. Maintain a military stance and conduct yourself worthy of your organization.
Warnings
- Don't lock your knees when you're at attention. If you do, you will lose your balance, and if you have to stand for a long time, you may even pass out. Bend your knees slightly, but not to the point of losing military decor.
- Orders and expectations vary depending on the nation and organization you are marching for. Make sure you are aware of all the specific variants of your military corps and follow the rules down to the last detail.
