For American Regulation Drill, we must follow the standards that is outlined in TC 3-21.5, MCO 5060.20, and AFPAM 34-1203. Arm swing has changed slightly since the early days of our armed forces. Let’s take a close look and see how we actually swing our arms the same way, no matter the service.
The image at the top shows an AFJROTC drill team in motion. Their arm swing is enormous, very much out of standards.
The Arm Swing of the US Military
We Swing Our Arms the Same. All techniques described in each of the three service drill and ceremonies manuals is exactly the same, just measured differently. However, the Army could use a bit more info and to that end, I take it that the measurements are from the seam of the trouser leg to the front and rear of the hands, depending on whether the hand is to the front or rear of the individual.
In the image at the top and the two toward the bottom, you can see that I have extra measurements from the trouser seam (center of the thigh) to the front and rear of the thigh. Both measurements are approximately three inches (an average) and shows that all arm swing is the same.
Army (TC 3-21.5)
A bit of history. The Army did not pay attention to arm swing until around 1911 when the first FM 22-5, Infantry Drill Regulations, was published. It called for 6″ to the front and 3″ to the rear, without describing how to obtain the measurement. In 1946, the Leadership, Education, and Drill edition of FM 22-5 was published, and the Army’s arm swing was still 6″ to the front and 3″ to the rear. By 1958 the first FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies, changed to 9″ to the front and 6″ to the rear and has remained the same since even with the changeover to TC 3-21.5. In 1968, FM 22-5 finally had the description of measuring from the seam of the trouser leg.
The shift from a Field Manual to a Training Circular means the information contained in the manual has no teeth. We follow manuals, directives, and Regulations. A circular means it’s just a guideline that is susceptible to variation.
Quick Time, “4-18. The arms swing in a natural motion, without exaggeration and without bending at the elbows, approximately 9 inches straight to the front and 6 inches straight to the rear of the trouser seams. Keep the fingers curled as in the Position of Attention so that the fingers just clear the trousers.” (emphasis mine)
Change Step, 4-19; “Swing arms naturally.”
Rear March, “4-20. Do not allow the arms to swing outward while turning.” This means arms swing through the move, straight forward and straight back.
Half Step, 4-22; and Mark Time, 4-23; Backward, 4-25; “The arms swing as in marching with a 30-inch step.”
Double Time, 4-26; “The arms swing naturally to the front and rear with the forearms kept horizontal.”
Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard (MCO 5060.20)
A little history. The Department of the Navy (DoN) started with the Landing Force Manual in 1920 (I don’t have an earlier edition) for drill and ceremonies. This manual was based off the Army’s Infantry Drill Regulations of 1918 to bring the Navy more in line with the Army’s revisions in that year. Guidance from that year for arm swing was “The arms swing naturally in a fore and aft direction and not across the body.” In 1950, the Navy published the Landing Party manual and measurement for arm swing appeared, “Swing the arms easily in their natural arcs about 6 inches straight to the front and 3 inches to the rear of the body.” This edition had photos of a Sailor for the facing movements.
In 1960, the Landing Party Manual was designated OPNAV P 34-03, and the photos of drill and ceremonies now had a Marine as the model. In 1980, the DoN published the first (that I know of) Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, NAVMC 2691. As far as I can tell, that is the only edition of 2691. It then switched to MCO P 5060.20 (2003), which canceled 2691, but does not identify a date. Most recent, as of this writing, is MCO 5060.20 (no more “P”, 2019). So, from 1950, the DoN and Coast Guard have marched with a 6″ and 3″ arm swing.
Encl 1, Part I, 1. 2. a. Quick Time, “Swing your arms easily in their natural arcs, six inches straight to the front and three inches to the rear. Do not exaggerate movements.”
Mark Time, “At the same time, swing your arms naturally as in marching.
Half Step, “At the same time begin swinging your arms six inches to the front and three inches to the rear.”
Back Step, “At the same time, begin to swing your arms in their natural arc, six inches to the front and three inches to the rear of your legs.” Emphasis mine. That could be interpreted as the measurement being taken from the front and rear of the leg as the AFPAM states that is described below. (emphasis mine)
Air Force and Space Force (AFPAM 34-1203)
A little History.
3.10.1. Forward March, When stepping off and while marching, use coordinated arm swing; that is, right arm forward with the left leg and left arm forward with the right leg. Cup the hands with the thumbs pointed down, hang arms straight but not stiff and swing the arms naturally. Measure the swing 6 inches to the front (measured from the rear of the hand to the front of the thigh) and 3 inches to the rear (measured from the front of the hand to the back of the thigh).” (emphasis mine)
3.10.2. Coordinated arm swing will cease as the weight of the body shifts to the leading foot when halting.
Mark Time, 3.12.1. “Normal arm swing is maintained.”
Half Step, 3.13.1. “The Airman or Guardian maintains coordinated arm swing and continues the half step until marched forward or halted.” 3.13.3. “It is executed only in quick time, and normal arm swing is maintained.”
Change Step, 3.15. “Then in one count, place the ball of the right foot alongside the heel of the left foot, suspend arm swing, and shift the weight of the body to the right foot. Step off with the left foot in a 24-inch step, resuming coordinated arm swing.”
To the Rear March, 3.16. “Then pivots on the balls of both feet, turning 180 degrees to the right, and takes a 12-inch step with the left foot in the new direction, with coordinated arm swing, before taking a full 24-inch step with the right foot. While pivoting, do not force the body up or lean forward. The pivot takes a full count, and the arm swing is suspended to the sides as the weight of the body comes forward while executing the pivot, as if at the position of attention.”
Flanks, 3.17. “Then steps off with the right (left) foot in the new direction of march with a full 24-inch step and coordinated arm swing. Arm swing is suspended to the sides as the weight of the body comes forward on the pivot foot.”
Face in Marching, 3.18. “steps off with the left (right) [wrong AF! ONLY the left foot steps off in either direction- DM] foot in the new direction with coordinated arm swing.
Column Movements, 4.11. For the 90-degree pivot, “suspends arm swing during the pivot.” For the 45-degree pivot, “(maintaining coordinated arm swing throughout) pivots 45 degrees to the right (left).”
Variation Not Authorized
Arm swing is to be straight forward and straight back. Many times, we don’t know how we look unless we watch ourselves in a mirror or on video. Otherwise, feedback from others is essential.