@futurebird

Oh, you're absolutely right. This is just about..knowledge of the methods of training and the automatic nature of drill movements once you learn them. You don't just discard them because you forgot.

@futurebird

I don't think most of the (US) Army does drill.*

I didn't watch the parade but I did hear the cadets did well. They practice drill a lot (to a fault, some might argue).

I wouldn't read into it too much.

*Edit to add in a comment for all the replies who need to tell me I'm wrong because they are vets and learned how to move in a formation:

Yes. You're right. The Army does march around in step. But there's a bit of a difference between marching in step in a squad or a platoon to the dfac and performing a parade. Practicing for a parade is a distinct skill and doing it well takes practice. If you introduce new variables, like a change in formation size or the presence of loud music that contradicts your cadence, then it's going to look bad.

We could certainly argue that the staffs planning did not give it their best effort, but I don't assume it's an intentional snub by everyone who was out of step.

@jianmin @futurebird Sorry, but you’re wrong.

Every soldier, airman, sailor, and Marine knows basic 22-5. They do formations EVERY DAY. They do a ceremony once a month or more, depending on who is leaving, taking command or graduating.

The original poster is correct. The slouch and off cadence walking was a choice.

It’s a good sign too.

Edit: FM 22-5 is the army field manual for close order drill/ceremonies. 😉

@MiriShuli @jianmin @futurebird

As an army veteran, I think for lack of a better word the lack of "professionalism" or "discipline" in the marching and on display is definitely a sign. Those service members don’t want to be doing this and they’re very frustrated. That’s the sense I get.

@stoner @MiriShuli @jianmin @futurebird Seconded or thirded or whatever. You drill and drill and drill. It's second nature.

What you saw is a choice made by the people in the boots.

@YakyuNightOwl @stoner @MiriShuli

how many parades have all of you performed in?

And of those parades, how many were recorded so you could have confirmed that, in fact, your unit's performance didn't look like shit? Ever tried to do a wheel turn in an 8-person front? What about with the roar of a tank or when competing with loud music?

TYFYS 🫡 but marching to chow is not the same thing as performing a parade.

@jianmin @stoner @MiriShuli Have you ever followed the Budweiser Clydesdales in a color guard for a couple of hours and had to march just enough behind the beat so that you didn't look like a beer salesman?

youtube.com/watch?v=TlKEHaorOW…

Go ahead. Try it in the comfort of your own home.