Q&A for How to March

Your hands should be curled up like a fist, but not necessarily clenched. The form you want to have is the one you would have if you were holding a roll of quarters or shopping bags, with your thumb across the tops.

Marchers start with their left foot so that they would turn opposite from the commander, when he or she turns.

There are the face turns, such as: right turn/face and left turn/face. There are also the right and left inclines, which are basically just half turns. There are the right and left wheel turns as well, which are simply turning to the right or left while marching. Lastly, there are the halts (stops) and salutes to the left, right, and front.

Usually the feet are about shoulder-width apart while marching, but it is really a matter of personal preference. The goal is to remain balanced and steady while remaining in sync with the rest of the group.

If you are asking what foot halt is called on, left or right, it doesn't matter. It can be either.

By making sure you look straight up, and the person in front of you keeps distance too.

About turn/About face is performed by placing the right foot behind the left foot, then pivoting clockwise until they are faced in the opposite direction, with feet at 45 degree angles.

The platoon leader (PL) will call the platoon to quick march if they were at double time march, and only the PL will salute the officer. Whenever saluting officers, you have to be at quick time, not double time.

It should be your left foot, but ask a high ranking person in a cadet corp or military to see what foot you start on in your ceremony.

You should sync your left arm with your right foot, and your right arm with your left foot.

Hold the rifle in your right hand pointing up then march like normal and salute with the rifle on the floor

It is usually the left foot. However, in uncommon cases, your instructor might tell you to begin with your right foot.

The purpose of marking time is to ensure the uniformity of the marchers.

Always start with the left leg and the naturally opposing arm, in this case your right arm.

Because it is a crucial in the military that everything is done in a proper way. Perfection is key to having a good military.

Start on your right foot, and listen to the platoon commander while he or she gives cadence.

It depends on where you're doing a parade. If you are in an area like a gym or a parking lot and have accessibility to the whole thing, then both would be appropriate. If you're marching somewhere like a 2-way street or a narrow path and you are going to make a turn onto another path, that is the appropriate time to call a column right, while of course insuring that everyone is pivoting correctly in their specific platoon.

From a marching condition, the command depends on the branch of service; “Squad (flight, platoon) halt”.

Yes, it is, depending on the type of march.

The distance between two people should be "arm distance". Simply put up your arm straight to the other person's shoulder (if they are to your side) or back (if they are in front of you).

I have just recently started JROTC this 8th grade, and I have found that you just simply have to be able to multi-focus, paying attention to and listening for commands, paying attention to your feet, watching your distance, and watching elbows and knees. It's hard at first, but eventually you will get used to it.

You will be instructed on how to do this by your drill sergeant; if you haven't yet, just ask.

Usually, drill and marching are used to display organization, and order within a unit by an individual person or group of people executing specific commands in an orderly and expert fashion.