4-17. This basic marching information pertains to all marching movements: 

• All marching movements executed from the Halt are initiated from the Position of Attention 

• Except for Route Step March and At Ease March, all marching movements are executed while marching at Attention. Marching at Attention is the combination of the Position of Attention and the procedures for the prescribed step executed simultaneously 

• When executed from the Halt, all steps except Right Step begin with the left foot 

• For short-distance marching movements, the commander may designate the number of steps forward, backward, or sideward by giving the appropriate command: One step to the right (left), MARCH; or Two steps backward (forward), MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, step off with the appropriate foot, and halt automatically after completing the number of steps designated. Unless otherwise specified, when directed to execute steps forward, the steps will be 30-inch steps 

• All marching movements are executed in the cadence of Quick Time (120 steps per minute) except for the 30-inch step, which may be executed in the cadence of 180 steps per minute on the command Double Time, MARCH. 

• A step is the prescribed distance from one heel to the other heel of a marching Soldier. 

• All 15-inch steps are executed for a short distance only. 

4-18. To march with a 30-inch step from the Halt, the command is Forward, MARCH: 

• On the preparatory command Forward, shift the weight of the body to the right foot without noticeable movement. On the command of execution MARCH, step forward 30 inches with the left foot and continue marching with 30-inch steps, keeping the head and eyes fixed to the front. The arms swing in a natural motion, without exaggeration and without bending at the elbows, approximately 9 inches straight to the front and 6 inches straight to the rear of the trouser seams. Keep the fingers curled as in the Position of Attention so that the fingers just clear the trousers. 

• To Halt while marching, the command Squad (Platoon), HALT is given. The preparatory command Squad (Platoon) is given as either foot strikes the marching surface as long as the command of execution HALT is given the next time that same foot strikes the marching surface. The Halt is executed in two counts. After HALT is commanded, execute the additional step required after the command of execution and then bring the trail foot alongside the lead foot, assuming the Position of Attention and terminating the movement. 

4-19. This movement is executed automatically whenever Soldiers finds themselves out of step with all other members of the formation. It is only executed while marching forward with a 30-inch step. To change step, the command Change Step, MARCH is given as the right foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more step with the left foot, then, in one count, place the right toe near the heel of the left foot and step off again with the left foot. Swing arms naturally 

4-20. This movement is used to change the direction of a marching element 180 degrees in a uniform manner. It is only executed while marching forward with a 30-inch step. To March to the Rear, the command Rear, MARCH is given as the right foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more step with the left foot, pivot 180 degrees to the right on the balls of both feet, and step off in the new direction taking a 30-inch step with the trail foot. Do not allow the arms to swing outward while turning.

4-21. Rest movements with the 30-inch step include At Ease March and Route Step March: 

• At Ease March. The command At Ease, MARCH is given as either foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, the Soldier is no longer required to retain cadence; however, silence and the approximate interval and distance are maintained. Quick Time, MARCH and Route Step, MARCH are the only commands that can be given while marching at ease. 

• Route Step March. Route Step March is executed identically to At Ease March except that Soldiers may drink from their canteens and talk 

Note: To change the direction of march while marching at Route Step or At Ease March, the commander informally directs the lead element to turn in the desired direction. Before precision movements may be executed, the unit must resume marching in cadence. The troops automatically resume marching at Attention on the command Quick Time, MARCH as the commander reestablishes the cadence by counting eight steps. If necessary, Soldiers individually execute change step to get back in step with the unit. 

4-22. Use the following procedures to execute the 15-inch step, forward or half step. The 15-inch step is commonly known as the Half Step 

• To march with a 15-inch step from the Halt, the command is Half step, MARCH. On the preparatory command Half Step, shift the weight of the body to the right foot without noticeable movement. On the command of execution MARCH, step forward 15 inches with the left foot and continue marching with 15-inch steps. The arms swing as in marching with a 30-inch step. 

• To alter the march to a 15-inch step while marching with a 30-inch step, the command is Half Step, MARCH. This command may be given as either foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more 30-inch step and then begin marching with a 15-inch step. The arms swing as in marching with a 30-inch step 

• To resume marching with a 30-inch step, the command Forward, MARCH is given as either foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more 15-inch step and then begin marching with a 30-inch step. 

• The Halt while marching at the Half Step is executed in two counts, the same as the Halt from the 30-inch step. While marching at the Half Step, the only commands that may be given are: Mark Time, MARCH; Normal Interval, Forward, MARCH; MARCH; and HALT. 

4-23. To march in place, use the following procedures: 

• To march in place, the command Mark Time, MARCH is given as either foot strikes the marching surface and only while marching with a 30-inch or 15-inch step forward. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more step, bring the trailing foot alongside the leading foot, and begin to march in place. Raise each foot alternately 2 inches off the marching surface; the arms swing naturally, as when marching with a 30-inch step forward. 

Note: While marking time in formation, the Soldier adjusts position to ensure proper alignment and cover. The proper distance between Soldiers while marching is one-arm length plus 6 inches (approximately 40 inches). 

• To resume marching with a 30-inch step, the command Forward, MARCH is given as either foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more step in place and then step off with a 30-inch step. 

• The Halt from Mark Time is executed in two counts, the same as the Halt from the 30-inch step 

4-25. To march backward using the 15-inch step, use the following procedures: 

• To march with a 15-Inch Step Backward, the command is Backward, MARCH. The command is given only while at the Halt. On the preparatory command Backward, shift the weight of the body without noticeable movement onto the right foot. On the command of execution MARCH, take a 15-inch step backward with the left foot and continue marching backward with 15-inch steps. The arms swing naturally. 

• The Halt from Backward March is executed in two counts, the same as the Halt from the 30-inch step. 

4-25. To march backward using the 15-inch step, use the following procedures: 

• To march with a 15-Inch Step Backward, the command is Backward, MARCH. The command is given only while at the Halt. On the preparatory command Backward, shift the weight of the body without noticeable movement onto the right foot. On the command of execution MARCH, take a 15-inch step backward with the left foot and continue marching backward with 15-inch steps. The arms swing naturally. 

• The Halt from Backward March is executed in two counts, the same as the Halt from the 30-inch step. 

4-26. To Double-Time using the 30-inch step, use the following procedures: 

• To march in the cadence of 180 steps per minute with a 30-inch step, the command is Double Time, MARCH. It may be commanded while at the Halt or while marching at Quick Time with a 30-inch step 

• When at the Halt and the preparatory command Double Time is given, shift the weight of the body to the right foot without noticeable movement. On the command of execution MARCH, raise the forearms to a horizontal position, with the fingers and thumbs closed, knuckles out, and simultaneously step off with the left foot. Continue to march with 30-inch steps at the cadence of Double Time. The arms swing naturally to the front and rear with the forearms kept horizontal. (When armed, Soldiers will come to Port Arms on receiving the preparatory command of Double Time.) Guides, when at Sling Arms, will Double-Time with their weapons at Sling Arms upon receiving the directive GUIDE ON LINE 

• When marching with a 30-inch step in the cadence of Quick Time, the command Double Time, MARCH is given as either foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take one more 30-inch step at Quick Time and step off with the trailing foot, double-timing as previously described. 

• To resume marching with a 30-inch step at Quick Time, the command Quick time, MARCH is given as either foot strikes the marching surface. On the command of execution MARCH, take two more 30-inch steps at double-time, lower the arms to the sides, and resume marching with a 30-inch step at Quick Time. 

Note: Quick Time, Column Half Left (Right), and Column Left (Right) are the only movements that can be executed while double-timing. Armed troops must be at Port Arms before the command Double Time, MARCH is given. 

4-27. Facings in Marching from the Halt are important parts of the following movements: alignments, column movements, inspecting Soldiers in ranks, and changing from Normal Interval to Double Interval or Double Interval to Normal Interval. (Double interval is defined as the lateral space between Soldiers, measured from right to left by raising both arms shoulder high with the fingers extended and joined [palms down] so that fingertips are touching the fingertips of the Soldiers to the right and to the left.): 

• For instructional purposes only, the command Face to the Right (Left) in Marching, MARCH may be used to teach the individual to execute the movement properly. On the preparatory command Face to the Right (Left) in Marching, shift the weight of the body without noticeable movement onto the right foot. On the command of execution MARCH, pivot to the right (left) on the ball of the right foot (90 degrees) and step off in the indicated direction with the left foot. Execute the pivot and step in one count and continue marching in the new direction. (See paragraph 4-17, third bullet, and chapter 3, paragraph 3-2, first bullet.) 

• Facing to the Half-Right (Half-Left) in Marching from the Halt is executed in the same manner as Facing to the Right (Left) in Marching from a Halt, except the facing movement is made at a 45-degree angle to the right (left). 

• The Halt from Facing in Marching is executed in two counts, the same as the Halt from the 30-inch step.