Mastodawn

hex Jun 15, 2025

Y'all were wondering which way the army would break. This is as clear an answer as you're going to get.

This isn't a mistake. It's a message.

Edit: cut out "During drills they were perfectly in time" because I don't have receipts to show. Linking to a longer video in a threads post that shows a bit more intense of a juxtaposition between themselves and the division in front of them. This thread makes the same claim about drills, but I also don't see video.

https://www.threads.com/@davidmorehouse/post/DK7ExrKs5iw?xmt=AQF0w52awa66lUQeIuolzDaz8uSFcMmJLHALm9RZc4P75w

Edit: to clarify a bit, this is one division. The division in front of them in the longer video is in step. This isn't "the whole army is going to refuse" but this may be, "some units are fed up enough to make it clear they don't want to play, which is saying a lot."

Any division that exists needs to be cultivated. The way you cultivate that is absolutely not by lumping them all together. Some of the military voted for Trump, some don't care, some hate him. All of them are being treated like shit right now. All of them swore an oath to defend the constitution. Some of them probably know what that means.

I'm absolutely not a fan of the military, but I will take every opportunity I can to humanize these folks. Look for every opportunity you can to remind them that they are welcome on our side whenever they're ready to actually fulfill their oath, and we will appreciate every subtle bit of resistance they give to those who are violating it in the meantime.

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the Stripey Goodness Jun 15, 2025

@Hex that's called 'Route Step' and it's an entirely valid way to parade, rather than 'Quick Time', but I absolutely understand your point.

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zeno's paradox speedrunner Jun 15, 2025

@stripey @Hex

the column behind is in step, also their hands aren't "at attention"

also, C and D elements (at least the first two individuals) are in time with the lead. actually, the lead of D element (shortest person on the right side of the group, left side of the image) does a quick step to fix themselves.

they are supposed to be in step. the route step is purposeful.

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the Stripey Goodness Jun 15, 2025

@pixelnull @Hex again, this is 'route step.'
The only requirements for route step are that they stay in formation, with cover and alignment, which they're doing here. They can talk, move their arms, bust out funky rhymes, whatever.
Maintaining of cadence is not at all required. That any subgroup happens to be in step within the formation is coincidental.
It may indeed be the case that whomever is driving the bus put the formation at route step as a deliberate sleight.

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zeno's paradox speedrunner

@stripey @Hex

sorry, i wasn't clear.

the entire group isn't in route step, some are maintaining time: (Charlie/3rd and Delta/4th elements, left most side of the image) as well as the rear of the platoon are all in step (see the in step group behind them). even the 4th element leader adjusts their step to the guide as they get out of time.

what i'm seeing is deliberate. but only the camera facing individuals are in "route step" if not marching at all. sidenote: they also happen to be mostly PoC troops as well.

what i've been trying to say this whole time is that it wasn't ordered and this is clique and not the org unit. so, it is purposefully disrespectful, just not by a command of any kind.

Forward (Direction of March)
↑

1A 1B 1C 1D O <-- Element Leaders and Guide
2A 2B 2C 2D
3A 3B 3C 3D
4A 4B 4C 4D
5A 5B 5C 5D

(Each column A-D is an element, led by 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D. Each row 1-5 is a rank. The guide is at the front right, position O)

1C, 1D, 4A-D, 5A-D, and O are all in step or are trying to be

1-3A through 1-3B (if not more) aren't trying (or in "route step")

1D is the one that checks his step, which in route step you wouldn't need to do at all... especially to get into step with neighbors.

when i was in, they specifically told us why route step was used on bridges to be out of sync, you don't get into step on purpose in route step