To March Toward a Flank

The Drill Pad
Marine/Navy Drill

To March Toward a Flank

Purpose of the movement: To march to the right or left flank for a short distance

Formation: Any formation

When the movement may be executed: Marching at quick time or double time cadence

Commands to cause the movement to be executed: By The Right (Left) Flank, MARCH

While Marching at Quick Time. The base of this movement is the rank in the direction of the flank. Assume you are marching forward at quick time and you receive the command, By The Right (Left) Flank.

The preparatory command By The Right (Left) Flank,and command of execution MARCH are given so they end when the foot in the direction of the turn hits the deck.

At the command of execution MARCH, your next step will be a 30-inch step to the front with your left (right) foot.

Your next step will be to face to the right (left) as in marching, pivoting on the ball of your left (right) foot, and take a 30-inch step with your right (left) foot at a 90 degree angle from your original direction of march.

During the execution of this movement, the arms will continue their natural swing but will not be allowed to swing wide from the body. Continue to march in the right (left) flank until given another command.

When this movement is executed from a column at close interval, the squads in the rear of the base squad take up the half step, after completing the flank movement, until 40-inches distance is obtained between squads.

While Marching at Double Time. Assume you are marching forward at double time and you receive the command, By The Right Flank, MARCH.

The command of execution will be given as the right (left) foot strikes the deck.

At the command of execution MARCH, your next steps will be two more 36-inch steps to the front. Your next steps will be two six-inch vertical alternating steps in place and at the same time turning 90 degrees to the right (left).

During the execution of this movement, the arms will continue their natural swing but will not be allowed to swing wide from the body. Your next step, without loss of cadence, will be a 36-inch step in the new direction at a double time cadence until given another command. When this movement is executed from a column at close interval, the squads in the rear of the base squad continue to double time in place until 40-inch distance is obtained between squads.

FACE TO THE LEFT (RIGHT) IN MARCHING

Purpose of the movement: It will be used to demonstrate flanking movements from the halt. Flanking movements from the halt are performed in the following movements, Column Right (Left), Close, Extend, Take Interval, and Assemble March.

Counts: No Counts

When the movement may be executed: Halted at Attention

Commands to cause the movement to be executed: For instructional purposes, By the Right (Left) Flank, MARCH.

Face to the Right in Marching. Assume you are halted at attention and you receive the command, For instructional pur-poses, By the Right Flank, MARCH.

On the preparatory command By The Right Flank shift the weight of your body to the right leg without noticeable movement. On the command of execution MARCH, face 90 degrees to the right by pivoting on the ball of the right foot, at the same time taking a 30-inch step in the new direction with the left foot. The arms will began their natural swing, but will not be allowed to swing away from the body. You will continue to march in the new direction at a quick time cadence until given another command.

Face to the Left in Marching. Assume you are halted at attention and you receive the command, For instructional pur- poses, BY THE LEFT FLANK, MARCH.

On the preparatory command By The Left Flank shift the weight of your body to the right leg without noticeable movement. On the command of execution MARCH, face 90 degrees to the left by pivoting on the ball of the right foot, at the same time taking a 30-inch step in the new direction with the left foot. The arms begin their natural swing but will not be allowed to swing away from the body. You will continue to march in the new direction at a quick time cadence until given another command.