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Responding To Claims The US Army Marching Was “Odd” and “Sloppy”
Yesterday’s Grand Military Parade was absolutely incredible!
Very moving and wonderful to see our Country coming together and also showing the world the incredible force President Trump commands with the US Military.
But one thing I’ve seen mentioned a lot today is that the marching looked very “sloppy” and not coordinated at all.
Like this post:
The US Army parade shows a serious lack of discipline.You would have to question their willingness to charge into enemy fire.
Americans often claim they will just bomb their way out of problem.
Yes that works against a weaker enemy that can’t shoot back, but the US is losing… pic.twitter.com/QCSVCHszHR
— Zhao DaShuai 东北进修 (@zhao_dashuai) June 15, 2025
The first thing I noticed is that a lot of the people posting these critiques seem to be Chinese (as in this post) or have the Ukraine or Gay/LGBTPQ+ flag in their profile.
So I take their opinions with a very small grain of salt.
But…I wanted to respond to this anyway because I do see a lot of people asking.
First, I will say I have no Military background of any kind, so those of you who do can Fact-Check me in the comments below.
Tell me what I got wrong (or right) or anything I left out.
While I have no Military background, I do have the ability to research and here’s what I found….
I found several people talking about this being “At Ease March” which is intended to look like this for Drills and Ceremonies:
This is called “At Ease March” and was the order of the day due to the weather. Perhaps take a moment to look something up, before criticizing. Also, no one cares what foreigners or their nations think about the US. We know we’re better.
— The Outspoken Nomad (@OutspokenNomad) June 15, 2025
I looked it up and that appears to be accurate:
U.S. Army’s FM 3-21.5 (Drill and Ceremonies)This manual outlines marching commands and procedures.
At-Ease March
Definition:At-ease march is a command given to permit soldiers to march in a less formal posture while maintaining a degree of uniformity. It is typically used when moving a unit over a distance where strict discipline and precision are not required.
Execution:When the command “At Ease, March” is given:
Soldiers can relax their arm swing.
They may take more natural steps.
Their pace may slightly vary.
Perfect alignment or cadence is not required.
Soldiers must stay in formation and move in the same direction.
Purpose:
To reduce fatigue during long movements.
To allow soldiers to march in a more comfortable manner while still maintaining unit cohesion.
Often used during transitions between formal drill movements or when moving to a new location.
Key Rules:
Soldiers must remain silent unless otherwise instructed.
They must continue to follow the direction of the unit leader.
The formation should remain intact, though not as tightly aligned as in a standard march.
Command:
The command is typically given as “At Ease, March!” by the unit leader.
To resume a standard march, a command like “Quick Time, March” or another formal drill command may be given.
Comparison:This contrasts with “Route Step, March,” which is even more relaxed:
Soldiers may break step.
Talking is allowed.
Minimal regard for formation is required.
Commonly used in non-ceremonial settings like long road marches.
And I’ll end with this…
I asked Grok to review and give me its opinion, and it confirmed the marching was not out of the ordinary or out of code:
The observation that American troops appeared out of sync during the June 14, 2025, Grand Military Parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, has been noted in several posts on X and some media commentary. This perception of “sloppy” marching, with troops not in unison, can be attributed to a combination of historical, practical, and contextual factors, though it’s worth examining critically rather than taking social media sentiment at face value. Here’s a breakdown of why this might have happened and whether it’s unusual:
1. U.S. Military Parade Tradition and Marching Style
Historical Context:The U.S. military does not emphasize ceremonial marching in lockstep unison to the same degree as some other nations, like Russia or China, where goose-stepping or highly synchronized parades are a propaganda tool. American military parades, historically rare outside of victory celebrations (e.g., 1865 Grand Review, 1991 Gulf War parade), prioritize functionality over theatrical precision. The U.S. Army’s drill and ceremony manuals focus on practical discipline, not parade-ground theatrics. X posts, like one from @ServoResPublica, note that since at least World War I, U.S. military parades have not mandated perfect unison, as the focus is on combat readiness, not display.
Marching Style:Unlike nations with rigid, high-stepping traditions, U.S. troops use a more relaxed, rolling-step march (30 inches per step, 120 steps per minute per Army Field Manual 3-21.5). This can appear less crisp to observers expecting Prussian-style precision. The parade included 6,700 soldiers from various units, some in historical uniforms, which may have disrupted uniformity due to differing training or costume constraints.
2. Logistical and Organizational Challenges
Scale and Preparation:The parade was massive, involving 6,700 troops, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft, with soldiers from 11 corps and divisions nationwide. Coordinating such a large, diverse group, many of whom may not regularly train together, is challenging. X posts, like @NYCParatrooper’s, suggest a lack of cadence calls or marching music, which are critical for maintaining sync. Without a unifying beat or strong leadership calling cadence, formations can drift out of step, especially over a long route like Constitution Avenue (15th to 23rd Street).
Historical Uniforms:The parade featured troops in uniforms from every U.S. conflict since the Revolutionary War, with 60 soldiers per era followed by 400 in modern gear. Historical costumes, like those from the War of 1812 or Spanish-American War, were reportedly hard to source, and some were scrapped due to costuming issues. These uniforms, not designed for modern drill, could restrict movement or distract from precision.
Short Planning Timeline:While the Army claimed two years of planning for the 250th anniversary, the parade itself was a late addition pushed by President Trump, with planning only recently intensified. This compressed timeline may have limited rehearsal time, contributing to a less polished performance.
3. Perceived “Sloppiness” and Social Media Reaction
X Sentiment:Posts on X, such as those from @starseedastro and @MediaWeasel, describe the marching as “sloppy,” “embarrassing,” and lacking sync, with some veterans expressing disappointment. Others, like @Akalves01, speculate it could be a subtle protest by troops against the parade’s politicized optics. However, these are anecdotal and not conclusive evidence of intent or systemic failure.
Public Perception:The parade’s optics were controversial, with critics comparing it to authoritarian displays in Moscow or Pyongyang. This context may have heightened scrutiny, making any imperfection more noticeable. Social media amplifies such critiques, but the lack of unison doesn’t necessarily reflect poor discipline. One X user noted the absence of goose-stepping as a positive, suggesting the U.S. avoids overly militaristic displays.
Media Coverage:Some outlets, like The Intercept, described the parade as a “martial spectacle” reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, and social media mockery focused on “poor marching” and “lack of discipline.” Yet, no major news source reported systemic organizational failure, suggesting the issue was more about perception than a catastrophic breakdown.
4. Is It Odd or Sloppy?
Odd? Not Entirely:Given the U.S. military’s limited emphasis on ceremonial marching and the parade’s scale, some lack of unison isn’t shocking. The Army prioritizes combat training over parade drills, unlike nations where parades are annual rituals. The inclusion of historical reenactments and diverse units further complicates synchronization. However, for a high-profile event costing $25–45 million, the expectation of sharper execution is reasonable, especially with global eyes watching.
Sloppy? Subjectively:“Sloppy” is a value judgment. To veterans like @starseedastro, the lack of crispness was subpar for a formal event. But militarily, parade precision doesn’t equate to combat effectiveness. The parade still showcased 28 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley vehicles, and flyovers by Black Hawks and P-51 Mustangs, projecting strength despite marching critiques. The “prisoners of war” jab from one X user exaggerates the issue, as no evidence suggests deliberate sabotage or gross incompetence.
5. Critical Perspective
The parade’s politicized nature, tied to Trump’s 79th birthday and his long-standing desire for a Bastille Day-style spectacle, likely amplified criticism. The “No Kings” protests nationwide, drawing millions, framed the event as a symbol of authoritarianism, making any flaw a lightning rod for critique. Yet, the idea of a “quiet protest” by troops, as floated on X, lacks evidence and seems speculative. More likely, the lack of sync reflects practical constraints, not dissent.
The Army’s focus on historical storytelling (uniforms spanning 250 years) and modern might (tanks, helicopters) may have overshadowed drill precision. This aligns with Trump’s showmanship, prioritizing spectacle over minutiae. Still, for an event billed as “bigger than any parade” in U.S. history, the Army could have anticipated scrutiny and drilled harder for cohesion.
Conclusion
The lack of unison in the 2025 Grand Military Parade wasn’t entirely odd given the U.S. military’s utilitarian approach to parades, the event’s massive scale, and logistical hurdles like historical costumes and short prep time. However, it appeared sloppy to observers expecting razor-sharp precision, amplified by social media and the parade’s controversial optics. While not indicative of military weakness, the criticism highlights a missed opportunity for a crisper display at a high-stakes event.
Rumble
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