Bring your heels together evenly, with the toes slightly pointed outward to form a 45-degree angle between your feet. Try to balance your weight across the entirety of both feet. Don’t lock your knees, but keep your legs straight. Keep your shoulders square, your chest lifted, and your upper body level with your hips. Hang your arms on both sides of your body without any stiffness. Your fingers should be slightly curled, with your thumbs touching your index finger’s first joint on the side. Keep your thumbs in a straight line with the seams of your pant legs, with your index fingers’ first joints touching your pant legs. Remain silent while standing at attention, and don’t move or speak unless you are told to. A variant on Standing at Attention is “Snap to Attention. " In this stance, everyone must stand at Attention, but with expedited speed. The heels are also brought together quickly (hence the “snap” part of Snapping to Attention). [1] X Research source
Do not enter Parade Rest until you are given the command. On command, keep your right foot planted while moving your left foot approximately 10 inches to the left. Keep your legs straight, but do not lock your knees. Balance your weight across the entirety of both feet, just as you did while standing at attention. Place both hands behind you, at the small of your back. Keep the fingers of both hands extended and link your two thumbs together with your right palm facing outward. Keep your hands on your lower back, make sure your arms stay straight. Center both hands linked together in the middle of your back (also called “centered on the belt”). Keep your head and eyes straight ahead of you as you did while standing at attention. Do not speak or move until you are told to do so.
Facing to the Flank - also known as Left/Right FACE. On command, slightly raise your right heel and left toe simultaneously to turn 90 degrees toward the direction you’ve been given. Keep your arms at the Position of Attention the entire time, and on count two bring your feet into Attention. Facing to the Rear - also known as About FACE. Move the ball of your right foot about half a foot-length behind and slightly to the left of your left heel. On the count of two, pivot to the right 180 degrees (on the ball of your right foot and the heel of your left) while keeping your arms in the Position of Attention the entire time. Half Left and Half Right FACE are only executed in a situation where a 90-degree turn would not face the desired direction. It is usually used to face the flag to render honor, such as during reveille or retreat.
If wearing headgear with a visor, on command you should raise your right hand sharply with the fingers and thumb extended and joined. Keep your palm down and touch the tip of your right forefinger to the rim of your visor just to the right of your right eye. If wearing headgear without a visor or no headgear, the Hand Salute is the same, only you should touch the tip of your right forefinger to your forehead just to the right of your right eyebrow. If you are wearing glasses and a visor-free headgear (or no head gear), the Hand Salute is the same, only you should touch the tip of your right forefinger to the part of your glasses where the frame’s temple piece meets the right edge of your right eyebrow. If you are given the command “Order ARMS” from a Hand Salute, return your hand quickly to your side and resume the Position of Attention.
Any movements that you execute from the Halt command should be initiated with the Position of Attention. All marching movements except Route Step March and At Ease March are executed while marching at Attention. Marching at Attention combines the Position of Attention with the prescribed marching steps, performed simultaneously. If performing steps executed from the Halt, every movement except Right Step begins on your left foot. One step is considered the distance from one of your heels to the other. All marching steps are carried out in Quick Time, meaning 120 steps per minute. The only exception is the 30-inch step, which you may be commanded to carry out in 180 steps per minute if given the command, “Double Time, MARCH. "
Do not bend your elbows, and do not exaggerate your movements. Let your arms swing in a natural motion. Aim for approximately nine inches ahead of you and six inches behind you as you swing your arms. Keep your eyes and head facing forward. Make sure your fingers remain curled, as in the Position of Attention.
Bring your trailing foot alongside your lead foot. Assume the Position of Attention. Cease any further movement until you are given a command.
You will be given the command, “Change Step, MARCH. " “Change Step” will be spoken while your right foot strikes the ground. On “MARCH,” take one additional step with the left foot, then over one count, place your right toe near your left heel. Step off again with your left foot. Keep your arms swinging naturally, and try to match the step of everyone else in your formation.
Even though you are not required to keep marching in step, you must remain silent and maintain the approximate intervals and distance that you were performing in step.
Alternate raising each foot two inches off the ground. Do not move your feet forward. Simply alternate feet while marching in place. Keep your arms swinging naturally, as you would during a 30-inch step forward. If you are given the follow-up command, “Forward MARCH,” take one more step in place on the “MARCH” command before you begin the forward 30-inch step.
The proper distance between individuals while marching is one arm’s length plus an additional six inches (approximately 36 to 40 inches total).
The squad leader will stand in the Position of Attention and issue the command “Fall In. " On the command “Fall In,” you must double time to your position in the formation and follow the lead of the right flank man. Stand in the Position of Attention, turn your head and eyes to the right, and raise your left arm the way your right flank man is standing. Keep your left arm raised to shoulder level with the elbow locked, fingers and thumb extended and joined, and your palm facing down. Take short steps either forward or backward to be in line with your right flank man. Take short steps either left or right so that your shoulder is touching the fingertips of the individual to your right. Once you are in place (called “Normal Interval”), lower your arm to your side, turn your head and eyes to face forward, and resume the Position of Attention.
On the command of Right or Left Flank, the foot that is striking the ground is the direction you’re expected to march towards. On the “MARCH” command, take one more step, pivot 90 degrees on the ball of your lead foot to face the desired direction, and step off with the trailing foot toward the new direction. As you begin marching in the new direction with your squad, glance out of the corner of your right eye and dress to the right to ensure you are properly in formation.
Inspection, ARMS Ready, Port, ARMS Order (Sling), ARMS Any of these may be followed by the command, “DISMISSED. "
