are printed in capital letters (MARCH). Some
commands are a combination of both preparatory
commands and commands of execution, such as FALL
IN, AT EASE, and REST, but are considered
commands of execution. They are printed in bold,
capital letters.
AS YOU WERE: This command cancels a
movement or order that was started but not completed.
At this command, troops resume their former position.
INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENTS
With the exception of right step, all steps and
marches starting from a halt begin with the left foot.
Normally, commands are given in the cadence of quick
time. When the direction of the march is to be changed,
both the preparatory command and the command of
execution are given as the foot in the direction of the
turn strikes the ground. For example, the commands
Column Right, MARCH. The movement is to the right;
therefore, the word Right is spoken as your right foot
strikes the ground. An interval of silence follows as
you take your next step, and the command MARCH is
given as your right foot again strikes the ground.
Normally, only one step is taken between the
preparatory and execution commands. However, in the
early phases of recruit training and at other times as
necessary, the interval between commands may be
greater to allow the troops more time to think about
their actions. With large bodies of troops, the intervals
must be longer to allow subordinate commanders to
repeat the preparatory commands or to give other
preparatory commands as necessary.
QUICK TIME: To march forward in quick time,
start from a halt and give the commands Forward,
MARCH. At the command Forward, shift the weight
of the body to the right leg without noticeable
movement. At the command MARCH, step off smartly
with the left foot and continue the march with 30-inch
steps. Swing the arms easily in natural arcs about 6
inches straight to the front and 3 inches to the rear of
the body.
DOUBLE TIME: To march in double time, begin
at a halt or in march in quick time and give the
commands Double Time, MARCH. If beginning from
a halt, at the command MARCH, raise the forearms,
fingers closed and knuckles out, to a horizontal
position along the waistline. Take up an easy run with
the step and cadence of double time (36-inch steps at
180 steps per minute), allowing the arms to make a
natural swinging motion across the front of the body. If
starting in quick time, be sure to keep the forearms
horizontal; and at the command MARCH, given as
either foot strikes the ground, take one more step in
quick time and then step off in double time. To resume
quick time from double time, give the commands
Quick Time, MARCH. At the command MARCH,
given as either foot strikes the ground, advance and
plant the foot in double time; resume the quick time,
dropping the hands to the sides.
SIDE STEP: The commands are Side Step,
MARCH. At the command MARCH, place your right
foot 12 inches to the right. Then place your left foot
beside the right. Continue in the cadence of quick time.
Stand as straight as you can without stiffness. The
movement also may be made to the left.
HALF STEP: The commands are Half Step,
MARCH. At the command MARCH, take steps of 15
inches instead of the normal 30 inches. Half step is
executed in quick time only. To resume the full step
from half step, give the commands Forward, MARCH.
BACK STEP: The commands are Backward,
MARCH. At the command MARCH, take steps of 15
inches straight to the rear. The back step is executed in
quick time only.
TO CHANGE STEPS: Change steps may be
executed without orders by an individual to get in step
with the rest of the unit. An entire unit may be ordered
to change step to get in step with another unit. The
commands are Change Step, MARCH. At the
command MARCH, given as either foot strikes the
ground, advance and plant the other foot. For example,
plant the left foot, then plant the toe of the right foot
near the heel of the left foot, and step off with the left
foot.
MARCHING AT EASE: The commands are AT
EASE, MARCH. When marching at ease, you must
march in orderly ranks in silence, but you need not
keep step or march at attention.
MARCHING IN ROUTE STEP: The commands
are Route Step, MARCH. Marching is the same as
when marching at ease, except that you need not
maintain silence. (Route is pronounced to rhyme with
“out.”) To resume marching in quick time from route
step or at ease, give the command ATTENTION. At the
command, troops come to attention and pick up the
step (in step and in cadence).
MARCHING IN PLACE, QUICK TIME: To
march in place at quick time, give the commands Mark
Time, MARCH. The commands may be given from a
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