Most cadets and many adults know only this phrase about fainting (flaking) in formation. You definitely need to expand your knowledge to educate those for of whom you are responsible.
Not everyone who flakes in a ceremony has “locked their knees”.
Capitol police officer fainting at guard change for casket watch.
The Capitol Police officer had just gotten over the flu, had not eaten regularly, and the heat has blasting throughout the building because the outer doors were constantly being opened and created a very warm atmosphere.
Do you really think a Marine Corps Drill Instructor is going to hyper extend his knee joints (what is commonly called “locking”)?” No, he would not be so careless.
So, what happened? Let’s take a look at the possibilities.
Why People Faint in Military Formations
Fainting in formation is a common issue, and it can happen for several reasons. Standing at attention for long periods, especially under the stress of a ceremony or inspection, puts strain on the body. Let’s take a look at some possible causes.
1. Dehydration
Proper hydration is critical for maintaining blood pressure and circulation. It takes about three days to fully hydrate the body, meaning that drinking plenty of water only on the day of an event won’t be enough. Dehydration leads to reduced blood volume, which makes it harder for the heart to pump oxygenated blood to the brain. This can result in dizziness, weakness, and ultimately, fainting. High temperatures and sweating make dehydration worse, so those standing in formation must prioritize water intake—not just on the day of the event, but consistently.
2. Poor Nutrition or Sudden Dietary Changes
Food is fuel, and your body relies on a steady supply of nutrients to function properly. Missing meals, eating poorly, or drastically changing your diet can negatively impact blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) leads to lightheadedness, nausea, and weakness, increasing the likelihood of fainting.
Even something as simple as switching protein powder or consuming an unfamiliar supplement can affect blood sugar, electrolyte balance, or digestion. A balanced diet with consistent nutrient intake is key, especially leading up to physically demanding activities like standing in formation.
3. The Start of or Recovery from an Illness
When the body is fighting off an infection, it diverts energy and resources to the immune system. This can lead to weakness, fatigue, and lower blood pressure—making it much harder to stand for long periods without feeling lightheaded.
Even if someone is just getting over a cold, flu, or another virus, their body may still be in recovery mode. This means they could be dehydrated, nutrient-depleted, or have lingering symptoms like low energy and dizziness.
To support the immune system, essential nutrients like zinc and vitamin D3 are invaluable. These help prevent illness, speed up recovery, and maintain overall resilience against fatigue and weakness.
4. Pregnancy (Known or Unknown)
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can affect blood pressure and circulation, leading to dizziness or fainting. Many women experience drops in blood pressure due to increased blood volume, which can make prolonged standing difficult.
A personal example: I once had a female friend in formation who was experiencing unexplained weight gain. She adjusted her diet, thinking it would help, but instead, she fainted during guard mount. It was only after that incident that she and her husband discovered she was expecting a baby.
Women who are actively training or dieting may not realize that pregnancy is a possibility, but it’s something to consider if unexplained fainting occurs.
5. The Menstrual Cycle (“Time of the Month”)
For women, hormonal fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle can cause fatigue, dizziness, or even anemia (if there’s significant blood loss). Additionally, changes in blood pressure and hydration levels may affect how well the body handles prolonged standing.
Cramping and discomfort can also contribute to weaker leg muscles and reduced circulation, making it harder to maintain balance in formation. Staying hydrated, eating iron-rich foods, and being aware of individual cycle patterns can help prevent fainting during this time.
6. Locking the Knees
One of the most well-known causes of fainting in formation is locking the knees. When you fully engage your thigh muscles for an extended period, it restricts the normal flow of blood from your legs back to your heart and brain.
This is known as venous pooling, where blood collects in the lower extremities instead of circulating properly. The result? Dizziness, tunnel vision, and an eventual loss of consciousness.
The simple fix: Keep a slight bend in the knees and subtly shift your weight from one foot to the other to promote blood flow.
7. Anxiety and Stress
Nervousness, stage fright, or performance anxiety can trigger a fight-or-flight response, causing increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and drops in blood pressure.
This reaction can be especially strong for those who feel unprepared, exposed, or overwhelmed when standing in front of an audience or superior officers.
For some, it’s purely mental, but for others, it manifests physically—leading to lightheadedness or fainting. Strategies like controlled breathing, mental preparation, and experience in public settings can help reduce this type of reaction.
8. Lack of Physical Conditioning
A strong cardiovascular system is essential for endurance and standing for long periods. Those who don’t regularly exercise, especially with weight training or endurance activities, may struggle with blood circulation and muscle fatigue during formation.
Regular exercise—such as walking, running, or strength training—improves overall circulation, making the body more resistant to the conditions that cause fainting.
9. A Combination of Factors
In most cases, fainting doesn’t happen for just one reason. It’s often a combination of multiple factors.
For example, someone who is slightly dehydrated, skipped breakfast, and is standing with locked knees is much more likely to pass out than someone who is only dealing with one of those issues.
This is why preparation is key—a well-hydrated, well-fed, well-conditioned individual is far less likely to experience issues when standing in formation.
Conclusion
Fainting in formation is a preventable issue in most cases. By staying hydrated, eating consistently, avoiding knee-locking, maintaining fitness, and managing stress levels, military personnel and cadets can reduce their risk of passing out while standing at attention.
Understanding these factors and taking proactive steps can greatly improve endurance and overall health, ensuring that you can perform at your best—whether in training, ceremonies, or public performances.
The Soldier on the floor in the photo above changed his protein powder the morning of the ceremony. That’s it. He was prepared in every other way. A difference in food that your body is not used to is a possible difference in blood sugar. By the way, the ceremony had a showtime of 0400 and performance time of 0800, so everyone was in place at 0700.
Relax
The position of Attention should be a relatively relaxed position- not as relaxed as sitting on the couch at home, but there shouldn’t be any unnecessary stress on the muscles in the body.
- When at Attention, you should not “pull your shoulders back” as that creates stress on your upper back.
- The only tension that should be in your body is enough to cup your hands and pull them back to have your thumbs on the trouser seams.
- Locking your knees can put stress on your heels, taking much of your bodyweight.
- “Locking” your knees is actually hyper extending the knee joints
- You can over stretch ligaments, putting excessive stress and pressure on the surface of the knee and make your quadriceps weak.
- Standing in a “locked” position for long periods of time can tear or strain ligaments and help to break down cartilage, especially the meniscus that helps protect and move the knee.
- Locking can actually promote arthritis in the patella (the knee cap), or the knee joint.
- Doctors suspect that locking the knees increases pressure on the vascular system throughout the legs, causing varicose and spider veins.
- Your center of balance creates many pounds of pressure on your feet. If you force your heels to support the majority of your weight, it can result in constant heel pain. This pain also travels up the back of the legs into the lower back.
In the graphic above, the grey star is the goal for your center of balance at Attention and Parade Rest. The red star is what you don’t want to do. Placing your center of balance at your heels makes you feel as if you are leaning back or possibly will fall backwards and that is why some people will lock their knees, to keep from falling backwards.
Condition
You must condition yourself for long stands, especially in direct sunlight with heat and humidity. Work to increase your stamina by race-walking, running, swimming, or another aerobic exercise. Weight training is going to be very beneficial for you as well. You don’t need to get “muscle bound”, lifting weights will keep your body toned to support your structure and keep your weight at a healthy level.