C. Forward March

I'm not going to get into all the movements done while marching, I simply want to cover the act of marching itself.

It amazes me sometimes how much someone who is new to marching will over think it, especially when it comes to arm swing. Your body naturally wants to swing your arms opposite to that of you feet, yet I always end up seeing someone trying to swing the same arm in unison with the same foot which is just weird.

from TC 3-21.5

4-5. BASIC MARCHING INFORMATION

This basic marching information pertains to all marching movements.

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

b. 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.

c. When executed from the Halt, all steps except Right Step begin with the left foot. (See Chapter 3, paragraph 3-1a and paragraph 4-15a.)

d. 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.

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

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

Soldier.

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

4-6. THE 30-INCH STEP

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

a. 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.

b. 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.

from AFMAN 36-2203

3.10. Forward March and Halt.

3.10.1. To march forward in quick time from a halt, the command is FORWARD, MARCH. On the command MARCH, step off straight ahead with the left foot, taking a 24-inch step (measured from heel to heel), and places the heel on the ground first. When stepping off and while marching, use coordinated arm swing; that is, right arm forward with the left leg and left arm forward with the right leg. Cup the hands with the thumbs pointed down, hang arms straight but not stiff and swing the arms naturally. Measure the swing 6 inches to the front (measured from the rear of the hand to the front of the thigh) and 3 inches to the rear (measured from the front of the hand to the back of the thigh) (Figure 3.9.). If applicable, maintain proper dress, cover, interval, and distance and adhere to cadence. Count cadence as follows: counts one and three are given as the heel of the left foot strikes the ground and counts two and four are given as the heel of the right foot strikes the ground.

3.10.2. To halt from quick time, the command is FLIGHT, HALT, given as either foot strikes the ground. On the command HALT, the Airman will take one more 24-inch step. Next, the trailing foot will be brought smartly alongside the front foot. The heels will be together, on line, and form a 45-degree angle. Coordinated arm swing will cease as the weight of the body shifts to the leading foot when halting.

120 BPM - Metronome (Quick Time pace)

180 BPM - Metronome (Double Time pace)

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