Infantry training, 1905

by Great Britain. War Office

In marching, the soldier must maintain the position of the head and body, as directed in S. 6, with the weight on the fore part of the feet. He must be well balanced on his limbs. In slow time his arms and hands must be kept steady by his sides, care being taken that the hand does not partake of the movement of the leg, and the toes must be pointed downwards. In quick time his arms will swing naturally from the shoulder, the right arm swinging forward with the left leg, and the left arm with the right leg. The hand must not be swung in advance of the leading foot, across the body, nor be raised higher than the waistbelt. The movement of the leg must spring from the haunch, and be free and natural.

Both knees must be kept straight, except while the leg is being carried from the rear to the front, when the knee must necessarily be a little bent, to enable the foot to clear the ground. The foot must be carried straight to the front, and, without being drawn back, placed firmly on the ground, but so as not to jerk or shake the body.

Although several recruits may be drilled together in a squad with intervals, they must act independently, precisely as if they were being instructed singly. They will thus learn to march in a straight line, and to take a correct pace, both as regards length and time, without reference to the other men of the squad.

Before the squad is put in motion, the instructor will take care that the men are square individually and in correct line with each other. Each recruit must be taught to take a point straight to his front, by fixing his eyes upon some distant object, and then observing some nearer point in the same straight line, such as a stone, tuft of grass, or other object.

14. The Quick March.

Quick—March.

The time having been given on the drum, on the word March the squad will step off together with the left foot, in quick time, observing the rules in S. 13.

15. The Halt.

Squad—Halt.

On the word Halt, the moving foot will complete its pace, and the other will be brought smartly up in line with it.

16. Stepping Out.

Step—Out.

When marching, on the word Out, the moving foot will complete its pace, and the soldier will lengthen the pace by 3 inches, leaning forward a little, but without altering the cadence.