Foot Marches
FM 21-18
SSG Millington
Introduction

Many examples of successful marches exist
throughout out the history of warfare. An
outstanding example during WW II was the
grueling foot march during the Sicilian
campaign from 20 to 21 July 1943, which
was made by the 3rd Battalion, 30th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.
Introduction Continue

The battalion was directed to move on foot
across mountainous terrain from Aragona to
San Stefano to participate in a coordinated
attack against enemy forces in San Stefano.
The battalion made this record braking 54
miles cross-country march in a record
braking 33 hours.
Task Taught or Supported
Complete a 3 km road march.
 Complete a 5 km road march.
 Complete a 8 km road march.
 Complete a 10 km road march.
 Complete a 10 km road march.
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Individual Task 1of 3
Report enemy information
 Send radio message
 Engage targets with an M16A2 rifle
 Employ hand grenades
 Practice preventive medicine
 Move under direct fire
 Move over, through or around obstacles
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Individual Task 2of 3
React to indirect fire while dismounted
 React to flares
 Select temporary fighting positions
 Camouflage yourself and individual
equipment
 Practice noise and light discipline
 Put on, wear, remove, and store your
M40A2 protective mask with hood.

Individual Task 3of 3
Recognize and react to chemical or
biological hazard
 React to nuclear hazard
 Evaluate a casualty
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Duty
Soldier report enemy forces.
 Soldier properly engages targets with an
M16A2 rifle.
 Solder protects self using his M40A2
protective mask.
 Solder reacts to nuclear hazard.
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Personal Courage
Solder moves under direct fire.
 Soldier moves over, through and around
obstacles.
 Soldier reacts to indirect fire.
 Soldier reacts to flares.
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Integrity
Solder properly assumes a temporary
fighting position.
 Soldier practice noise, light and litter
discipline.
 Solder practice personal hygiene and field
conditions.
 Solder practices human waste disposal in
field conditions.
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Equipment for a Company 1of 2
Bayonet, M16A2 Rifle
 Mask Protective M40A2
 Rifle M16A2
 Machine gun M60
 Radio PRC 77 OR 119
 Firing Adapters
 Magazine, 30 Rounds

240
240
240
4
6
240 / 4
1200
Equipment for a Company 2of 2
Tool combination, M60
 Battery Dry BA5590/U
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5
16
Ammunition Requirements 1 of 3

CTG, 5.56 mm blank, M200

CTG, 7.62 mm blank M60
FM1
RM4
RM5
FM1
RM4
RM5
20
10
50
500
200
300
Ammunition Requirements 2 of 3

Grenade Hand Smoke HC

Grenade Hand, CS M7
FM1
RM4
RM5
FM1
RM4
RM5
4
2
2
4
1
1
Ammunition Requirements 3 of 3

Simulator Projectile
Ground Burst, M115A2

Simulator Booby Trap
Flash, M117
FM1
RM4
RM5
FM1
RM4
RM5
6
2
4
5
2
3
Safety Requirements
Electrical Storms
 Snake Bites
 Heat Casualties
 Cold Weather Injuries
 Medical Support
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Types of Foot Marches
Day March
 Limited visibility
 Forced March
 Shuttle March
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March Discipline
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Noise Discipline
Formation
 Commanders will designate the side of the roads troops will
march on.
Rate of March
Distance between individuals.
 Day 2-5 Meters / Night 1-3 Meters
Distance between elements
 Day 100 Meters between Company / Platoons 50 meters
 Limited visibility will decrease by 50%
Security Measures
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Passive Measures
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Includes the use of concealed routes and assemble areas
and movements on protected routes, night marches,
increased intervals between elements and dispersion
when under attack using noise and light discipline
Active Measures

Includes the use of organic and attached weapons in
accordance with the units air defense plan during
marches scanning sectors of observations.
Field Sanitation
Field Water Supply
 Disposal of Human Waste
 Poison Plants
 Insect Control
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Water Discipline
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All soldiers must hydrate before each march to aid
sustainment during the movement.
Drink only treated water from approved sources.
Drink water often. Great quantity of water should
be drank before, during and after.
Drink water slowly to prevent cramps or nausea.
Avoid spilling water and use it sparingly for
bathing .
Personnel Hygiene
Personnel cleanliness.
 Protection against the elements.
 Protection against disease caring insects
 Avoidance of the sources of disease .
 Special protective measures.
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Foot Care

1 of 2
Foot hygiene and sanitation are extremely
important sense feet are enclosed in heavy
rigid footwear during most working hours
and are constantly in action. Foot care
involves:
 Good
hygiene measure such as bathing
frequently and using foot powder.
 Wearing properly fitted footwear to allow for
ventilation.
Foot Care
 Wearing
2 of 2
clean, dry, unmended, and properly
fitted socks (preferably cushion soled) with
seams and knots outside.
 Trimming toenails every 2-3 weeks. Toenails
should be cut short and square ( straight across)
Common Foot Trouble

Blisters and abrasions.
 Treatment
of blisters should be done by
qualified persons. If one is not available,
procedures outlined in FM 21-18 should be
followed.
Feet perspiration
 Athletes foot.
 Frostbite
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Special Care

Prior to the march.
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Take preventive measures such as
 Trimming toenails
 wearing proper socks
 alternating boots
During halts

During the halt lie down with the feet elevate. If time permits
massage the feet apply foot powder, change socks, and medicate
and protect blisters.
Special Care Continue
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After the march
 When
the march is over, repeat care of feet,
wash and dry socks, and dry boots. Medicate
blisters, abrasions, corns, and calluses. Inspect
painful feet for sprains and improperly fitted
boots and socks.
Halts
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During a march halts are inverse routinely to rest
personnel and adjust equipment. They are
regulated by SOP or by the movement order.
15 minute halt after first 45 minutes of marching
after that 10 minutes for every 60 minutes is
required.
Soldiers should remove or loosen their gear or lie
down with their feet elevated for optimum
relaxation if situation permits. Security must be
first considered.
Halts Continue

During schedule halts local security to include at
least one OP for each platoon is immediately
established. OP`s should not be established
outside the range of small arms and should be
retrievable so that the unit is ready to move at a
moment notice. When unscheduled halts and
actions occur, the first priority is to establish
security and to have each unit form a hasty
perimeter.
Attack During a Halt

During the halt, local security has to be
established by the unit, if the security
element / observation post (OP) is fired
upon, they return fire.

The main body will take cover in their
assigned sectors.
Artillery Attack

If the unit is attacked by indirect fire during
the foot march, the unit in contact continues
to move quickly through the barrage.
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If the unit is attacked by indirect fire during
the foot march, the unit not in contact
attempts to bypass the impact area.
Ambush
In the kill zone increase speed, fight
through, and report the ambush.
 Based on the commanders orders, conduct a
hasty attack or establish a blocking position.
 Units not in the kill zone on order will
either conduct a hasty attack or aid in
extracting the ambush unit through assault
by fire or direct assault on the ambush
position.
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NBC ATTACK
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The first action on suspected chemical
attack is to mask and give warning.
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If possible (based on the mission and
situation) the unit should by pass the known
or suspected contaminated area.
Cross or go Through NBC Area
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Use MOPP Level 4
Avoid moving through or under brush.
Stay on hard surface roads.
Cover as much as equipment as possible
Avoid low areas.
Avoid vehicle tracking to reduce secondary
contamination
Decrease speed.
Increase vehicle intervals.
If You Must Cross An NBC Area
Wear regular wet weather gear with a scarf
or handkerchief over nose and mouth.
 Avoid disturbing road dust.
 If possible dampen hardtop and dirt roads to
prevent contaminated dust.
 Ensure that the IM-174 Radiacmeter is use
by the unit march.
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Booby Traps

If trap is spotted, halt the column.

Bypass or go over the trap as directed by the
squad leader or platoon leader.
Night Movements
Move around thick underbrush, dense
woods, and ravines.
 Note: Move as quickly as circumstances
allows, but avoid running if possible.
 Keep all lights concealed.
 Watch and feel for trip wires.
 Distance between soldiers depends on
blackness of the night.
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Avoid Danger Areas
Open areas
 Roads and trails
 Native villages
 Enemy positions
 Mine fields
 Streams
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Ground Flares
Aground flare set off nearby usually means
the enemy has seen out or suspects your
presence.
 If caught in the light of a ground flare, move
quickly out of the light.
 Keep moving until you are well away from
the area.
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Aerial Flares
May be fired from mortars, artillery, or hand
held projectors.
 If you set off a flare, or hear one fired, get
down while it is rising and conceal yourself
before it burst.
 If in the light freeze in place until it burns
out.
 If in open area crouch low or hit the ground.
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Commanders Duties
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Before the march- issues warning order
During the march- Marches at the head until the
SP the moves to a point for best supervision.
During Halts- Supervise establishments of
security, foot inspections, water discipline,
sanitation, safety,and adjustment of loads.
After the March- Before the completion moves to
the head and moves the company into the AA.
Executive Officer Duties
Assist the commander
 Takes command if commander not present.
 Supervises the pace setter.
 Post and supervises company traffic guards
and guides.
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Platoon Leader
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Before: Informs the Platoon Inspects Uniforms Equipment
During: Prescribe distance, compliance of march
discipline, controls straggling, and grants
permission to fall out, scanning assigned sectors
Halts: Clear the roads, establish security, enforces march
discipline, checks conditions of the soldiers, and
time
After- PLT moves to assigned areas, supervise the SQD
LDR in their duties, foot inspections, medical
attention.
Squad Leader
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Before: provides detailed instructions, inspects
boots, socks, prepares a medical kit.
During: marches at the head, proper distance,
scanning, rate of march, enforces march
discipline.
At Halts: assist the platoon leader.
After: squad sectors, reports condition of soldiers,
prepares and continue missions.
Pace Setter
Experienced soldier
 carry the same load
 4 - 10 meters at head of column
 maintain rate of march
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 106
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steps per min / 30 in step / 4 kph
Should be medium height, normal strides
Guides
Lead or direct the unit
 Given detailed instructions
 Given strip map
 Accompany the lead element
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Traffic Guards
Placed 50 meters to front and rear
 Slow or stop oncoming or passing traffic
 Places at road intersection and other critical
locations.
 Stop traffic while column passes and act as
guides
 Use flashlights or lanterns at night to
control traffic
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Summary
Individual Task
 Duty, Personal Courage, Integrity
 Equipment
 Safety Requirements
 Types of Foot Marches
 March Discipline
 Security Measures

Summary Continued
Water Discipline
 Personnel Hygiene
 Foot Care
 Special Care
 Halts
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