How many times have you seen a column left/right march executed correctly?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 22:37:52 -0400

What usually happens - https://youtu.be/hu-hKkaUzOM?t=29s

The inner most should be half-stepping so the outer-most don't have to take huge steps to catch up.

Column Movements and To the Rear

This video covers column left, column right and to the rear march.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 11:06 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 23:06:37 -0400

In the Marine Corps, practice makes perfect.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jun 29 at 2016 11:23 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 23:23:07 -0400

I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH MY CAREER. WHY DO YOU ASK?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 11:50 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 23:50:00 -0400

Fairly often, that's an interesting question to ask.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 12:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:25:37 -0400

More often than not. Left and Right FLANKS however ...

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 12:48 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:48:26 -0400

Thousands of times, to include left and right obliques, left and right flanks, left and right counter-marches, left and right allemande, et al.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 30 at 2016 1:31 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 01:31:43 -0400

Oh My! that is a challenging question, Probably by the Drill Teams in Washington, DC since I did 3 years there but I didn't spend much time admiring their skills. I know that my Company in Boot Camp captured all the Marching Flags but I'm not sure we did it that good.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jun 30 at 2016 7:21 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 07:21:41 -0400

Too many times to count.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 30 at 2016 8:12 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:12:56 -0400

The were serious about it when I was in Beast Barracks at West Point. Other than that, way back in Boot Camp and that's about it. Not marching on a regular basis makes you sloppy. That got fairly well known, so the command frequently was "Route Step Thataway". On the Navy side, it wasn't important enough to keep up the skill. I'd always get a laugh. Color Guards tend to keep up well which their routine. Sideboys take a few practice turns prior to the retirement ceremony. And us old farts would recall the day long gone we could march well and having to wear leggings to do it.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jun 30 at 2016 9:40 AM

CSM David Heidke — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:40:10 -0400

Every time I taught it.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 30 at 2016 9:49 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:49:25 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, I was a tactical officer at OCS during the mid/late seventies. All officer candidates became proficient in all aspects of drill and ceremonies. We had classes on D&C and each OC would have numerous opportunities to demonstrate his skill while in student leadership positions. Needless to say, all the tactical officers were experts and could quote the FM, chapter and verse. Maybe now that's not the case, but it was then! Sgt Private RallyPoint Member CSM Charles Hayden Sgt Tom Cunnally

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 9:54 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:54:43 -0400

LOL During OTS I was leading flight drill. I called out "Column Right March." The left line went left and the right line went right. Is that what you meant?

I then called for a halt, fall out and fall in. The person grading me was laughing hysterically. But said Good recovery.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jun 30 at 2016 11:10 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 11:10:36 -0400

Toss in a forward HALT, people learn not to anticipate the command. More often then not the column left/right march is executed correctly. At least it used to be, why the question?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 30 at 2016 5:54 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:54:24 -0400

Every day of my career! Are we say todays Soldiers cannot march, or is it local to your area?

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 10:49 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:49:26 -0400

Counter Column......Muhhhhhh. That is the Worst... and the rear march

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2016 2:09 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 02:09:46 -0400

Every time. It ain't that hard, Pyle.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2016 3:14 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 03:14:16 -0400

In the Corps it would be more like when I don't see it formed correctly. Practice does make perfect!

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Jul 1 at 2016 11:02 PM

SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 23:02:41 -0400

Many! However, I've been in one of those outside columns that almost has to double time to keep up. Generally, this happens because the base squad leader will resume marching with a 30" step before all the other squad member come abreast with him/her.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 3:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:22:13 -0400

The soldiers on the ends are going to have take the appropriate steps to get back on line. Once all soldiers come abreast they all step off with a 30 inch step. This takes a lot of practice to make it look good.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 3:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:45:08 -0400

Last time I've seen one done confidently and without ''chuckles'' was in Basic Training. lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2016 7:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 19:18:55 -0400

And the outer ranks make a column half left/right and then just bring it around, everyone gets stuck on making multiple half left/right.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 4 at 2016 10:03 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 22:03:34 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I no longer have a 22-5. One of my problems is that; I think I recall, "To the Rear March"
was replaced by; "Rear March"!

My displeasure is caused by losing a few steps to keep the troops settled down.

SMs w/a 22-5, am I correct? Thanks, CSM