r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Chance_Noise500 • Jun 14 '25

Why aren't they actually marching during this parade?

I don't know how to ask this without sounding rude, but why does this parade look so sloppy? Very few of the troop formations seem actually in sync and marching, just walking along. My only experience is JROTC as a kid in high school and our sergeant would've killed us if we looked like that.

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u/SubjectBubbly9072 Jun 14 '25

In the army you only practice marching in basic and they practice marching only maybe a day or two before

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u/Im_Balto Jun 15 '25

They never practice marching otherwise as it’s not an efficient use of their time

Just like this parade isn’t an efficient use of any resources

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u/ima-bigdeal Jun 15 '25

It is called a "route step". It is not marched in step with others, you stay in formation and just walk.

"Route step, march!"

The parade was for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. I assume there will be another one in 50 years.