Just an illustration
During my time in BMT when I did my route marches, I never walked in step. We did walk in step at the start but all followed their own timing after a while. I felt it was good because everyone can walk at their own happy timing.
After coming to OCS, all the route/fast marches conducted had to be done in step. That is everyone walks to the count of one timer. It is really tiring keeping up with the timing. The timer comes from the middle and it's very fast. Most of the time, I am controlling and limiting my steps and not able to stretch fully. No one can fully stride as well. So I asked the conducting officer why do we have to march in step and wouldn't it be better and more efficient if everyone marched their own pace. He told me it was for the sake of compromise. Fair enough. Then, I came up with the theory.
Having the shortest at the front to the tallest at the back, the first 3 cadets will open their strides wider than normal walking but at the same time, at a comfortable pace. Then everyone behind will follow the first 3's timing.
Conclusion: The pace will be slower, the distance covered will be the same, everyone will be less tired, everyone marches in step. Efficient.
Readers, what do you think about this? Does it make sense? :)
