You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.

I would just like to know, a visual explanation of performing a change step. There is a great controversy in that especially since all the Air Force Manuals and Air Force Junior ROTC leadership I text books fail to explain the exact movement properly. Or instant if there is a hop or a stop while this maneuver is being performed.

C/TSgt Leo Cayanong
NJ-20001 Firebirds
Dickinson High School
Jersey City NJ

Dr. Drill Responds

Thanks for writing in and giving the ol'Doctor a chance to help.

Change Step is one of those maneuvers that just look plain goofy when done too quickly. "To the Rear" and "Right (Left) Flank" are two others. If the unit is moving too fast when going into the movement, or if they simply execute the movement too fast, then end up leaning at 45 degree angles into the turns to overcome the centrifugal forces. Sort of like a Moto Gran Prix rider entering the twisty parts of the course. Clearly, this is not what we're after.

I don't know which side of the 'step or skip' debate you were on, Leo; but there is a definite answer (which I'll get to in a moment). First, let's look at the description of "Change Step" from the drill manual.

3.15. Change Step. The command is Change Step, MARCH. On the command MARCH, given as the right foot strikes the ground, the airman takes one more 24-inch step with the left foot. Then in one count, place the ball of the right foot alongside the heel of the left foot, suspend arm swing, and shift the weight of the body to the right foot. Step off with the left foot in a 24-inch step, resuming coordinated arm swing. The upper portion of the body remains at the position of attention throughout.

Okay, that seems fairly clear. Notice this key sentence: "...place the ball of the right foot alongside the heel of the left foot...". Let's take a look at the description for the Olympic Triple Jump, which used to be known as (believe it or not) the 'Hop, Skip and Jump':

Triple jump: The start is the same as in the long jump, but the athlete first lands on the same foot from which he took off, takes one step onto the other foot, then jumps. The leap is ruled a foul if a trailing foot touches the ground.

So, here we see that the 'skip' portion is defined as "...takes one step onto the other foot..." and that it is not a skip if "...a trailing foot touches the ground."

Do you see the difference? During a "Change Step" there is a brief, but noticeable, moment when both feet are on the ground. If you're skipping, you've only got one foot on the ground, the trailing foot is off the ground.

And, again, there's no need to rush the movement. You only have one count to place the right foot and step off again with the left, but if you're marching at a slow to moderate Quick Time (which, as Dr. Drill fans know, is 100-120 steps per minute.) then you shouldn't have any trouble completing the movement without skipping.

Good luck, Leo!

Dr. Drill

Oh! The title of the article? Dust off your parents copy of Billy Joel's "The Stranger" and sing along with Dr. Drill:

Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

I said I love you, and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.