The Column Movement For Each Service

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Here is the column movement:

The picture below shows the steps as I count them: without pivots. See your service manual for specifics, but you get the idea from this which is much easier to digest: pivots are pivots and steps are steps. This would apply to the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

This applies to the Army: one half-flank and, while keeping distance and alignment, march in an arc.

The Army Column- One flank and arch the rest of the way!

The Army Column- One flank and arch the rest of the way!

The Army Description (TC 3-21.5)
To change the direction of a column, use the following procedures:

a. During a column movement, the base element is the squad on the flank in the direction of the turn.

b. To change the direction 90 degrees, the command is Column Right (Left), MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the base squad executes the movement as in squad drill except that the squad leader takes one 30-inch step and then takes up the Half Step (Army and Air Force execute half step with the heel hitting the ground first -DrillMaster). The squad leader continues marching with the Half Step until the other squad leaders come
abreast. The other squad leaders, while maintaining correct (offset) interval, execute a 45-degree pivot and continue marching in an arc. As they come on line (abreast) with the base squad leader, they take up the Half Step. When all squad leaders are abreast, they step off with a 30-inch step without command. All other platoon members march forward on the
command of execution and execute the column movement at approximately the same location as their squad leaders and in the same manner.

The Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard/Merchant Marines Description (MCO P5060.20)
9021. TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF A COLUMN
1. The purpose of this movement is to change the direction of march of a column. It may be executed when the platoon is halted or marching in column at normal or close interval. The command is “Column Right (Column Left, Column Half Right or Column Half Left), MARCH.” The base element during the turn is the squad on the flank in the direction of the turn. The leading member of the base squad, excluding the platoon commander and guide, establishes the pivot for the movement.

2. When marching, the commands of execution are given on the foot in the direction of the turn. On the command of execution “MARCH,” the leading member of the base squad takes one more 30-inch step to the front and then pivots 90 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot. He/she then takes one 30-inch step in the new direction before beginning to half step. At the same time, other members of the leading rank execute a right (left) oblique. They step in this direction until they are on line with the new line of march (normally two, four and six steps respectively) and then execute a second right (left) oblique. The original interval is maintained while in the oblique. Stepping out of the second oblique with a 30-inch step, they begin to half step as soon as they are aligned on the base squad leader. When all members of the same rank have come abreast, everyone in that rank resumes a full step. Ranks in rear of the leading rank execute the pivot movements on the same points and in the same way as the leading rank.

3. When halted, at the command of execution “MARCH,” the leading member of the base squad faces to the right (left) as in marching and takes one 30-inch step in the new direction with the right (left) foot. At the same time other members of the leading rank step off in the right (left) oblique. Members behind the lead rank step off to the front as in forward march. The remainder of the movement is executed the same as in marching.

4. During column movements, the platoon commander and guide execute either an oblique or a 90-degree pivot (depending on the direction of the movement) on the command of execution. After completing their turn, they adjust their line of march so that they are in front of the appropriate squad.

Click here: oblique is pronounced “oh-bleek”

The Air Force Description (AFMAN 36-2203)
4.11. Column Movements:
4.11.1. Column Right (Left) Normal Interval (Marching). The commands are Column Right (Left), MARCH and Forward, MARCH.
4.11.1.1. On the command Column Right (Left), MARCH, the fourth (first) element leader takes one more 24-inch step, pivots 90 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot, and suspends arm swing during the pivot. Following the pivot, step off in a 24-inch step and resume coordinated arm swing. Beginning with the second step after the pivot, take up the half step. Each succeeding member of the fourth (first) element marches to the approximate pivot point established by the person in front of him or her and performs the same procedures as the element leader.
4.11.1.2. The third (second) element leader takes one 24-inch step, (maintaining coordinated arm swing throughout) pivots 45 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot, and takes two 24-inch steps prior to pivoting 45 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot. Continue marching in 24-inch steps until even with the person who marches on the right (left). Then begin half stepping and establish interval and dress. Each succeeding member of the third (second) element marches to the approximate pivot point established by the person in front of him or her and performs the same
procedures as the element leader.
4.11.1.3. The second (third) element leader takes one more 24-inch step, (maintaining coordinated arm swing throughout) pivots 45 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot, and takes four 24-inch steps prior to pivoting 45 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot. Continue marching in 24-inch steps until even with the person who marches on the right (left). Then begin half stepping, and establish interval and dress. Each succeeding member of the second (third) element marches to the approximate pivot point established by the person in front of him or her and performs the same procedures as the element leader.
4.11.1.4. The first (fourth) element leader takes one more 24-inch step, (maintaining coordinated arm swing throughout) pivots 45 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot, and takes six 24-inch steps prior to pivoting 45 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot. Continue marching in 24-inch steps until even with the person who marches on the right (left). Then begin half stepping, and establish interval and dress. Each succeeding member of the first (fourth) element marches to the approximate point established by the person in front of him or her and performs the same
procedures as the element leader.
4.11.1.5. The guide performs the pivots and steps exactly as the fourth element leader. Following completion of the pivots, the guide continues in a 24-inch step until he or she is ahead of the fourth element leader. The guide pivots 45 degrees to a position in front of the fourth element leader; then he or she pivots 45 degrees again toward the front and begins half stepping.

 

Marine Corps/

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