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Marching refers to the organized, uniformed, steady walking forward in either rhythmic or route-step time; and, typically, it refers to overland movements on foot of military and military unit under field orders. Marching is often performed to march music and is typically associated with military parade and civilian ceremonial . It is a major part of military basic training in most countries and usually involves a system of drill commands. It can also be used as a general term to describe a protest in which protestors move such as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a watershed moment in the civil rights movement.
In the United States Marine Corps, close order drill is used to promote exercise, obeying orders, discipline, morale, confidence, and leadership.
/ref> Royal Navy,"Royal Navy Ceremonial and Drill"
/ref> and the British Army"The Drill Manual"
/ref> except the Rifles: Quick March 116 beats/min., Slow March 65 beats/min.
For mechanical efficiency, opposite arms usually swing with each leg while marching. British and Commonwealth armed forces keep their arms straight and swing the hand as high as the shoulder while forward and in theory to the level of the belt when backward. US Marines swing the arm six inches to the front and three inches to the rear whileMARINE CORPS ORDER P5060.20 US Army Soldiers swing the arm nine inches to the front and six inches to the rear. Some European armies bend the arm during the swing. Many believe these differing practices help maintain rhythm for long route marches. US troops usually march long distances at "route step" which does not require them to maintain a specific pace or length of step. Some South American and Eastern European countries march on parade with the stiff leg earlier famous as the "goose step" of German troops. German and Scandinavian military bands and units swing with only the right arm, 90 degrees straight out. Some troops (like the Royal Swedish Lifeguard) swing with their left arm. This is because they carry their rifle in their right arm. The Royal Marines refer to a long distance march carrying full kit as a yomp. The most famous yomp of recent times was during the 1982 Falklands War.
Marching is often used - in the UK at least - during Armistice Day as a show of respect to those who fell during all wars and is done at the "slow march" from a pre-defined meeting place to the cenotaph. The march usually consists of Active Duty and Retired Military Personnel, Cadet Corps, Relatives and volunteer civilians.
During the civil rights movement, marches across cities were used as method to protest against civil injustice by civil disobedience, such as causing blockades, shutting down infrastructure, and to make protestors goals known.
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