Foot Marches FM 2118

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Foot MarchesFM 21-18

• SFC Cooper

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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.

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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.

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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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Types of Foot Marches

• Day March
• Limited visibility
• Forced March
• Shuttle March

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March Discipline

• 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

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Security Measures

• Passive Measures
• 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.

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Field Sanitation

• Field Water Supply
• Disposal of Human Waste
• Poison Plants
• Insect Control

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Water Discipline

• 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 .

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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.

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Foot Care 2 of 2

• Wearing 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)

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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.
• 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.

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Special Care Continue

• 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.

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Halts

• 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.

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Halts Continue

• During schedule halts local security to include
  at least one OP for each platoon is immediately
  established. OPs 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.

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Platoon Leader

• 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.

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Squad Leader

• 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.

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Summary Continued

• Water Discipline
• Personnel Hygiene
• Foot Care
• Special Care
• Halts