Foot marches have been used for training purposes since Roman times to test the discipline and physical fitness of soldiers. It is believed that Roman soldiers were forced to complete 20 to 30-mile foot marches with roughly 45 lbs. of gear before they were even trained with weaponry. Unlike the Romans, modern day foot marches are not only a training exercise. Even with the accessibility of vehicles in combat zones, it is common for ground soldiers to have to carry a load of up to 80 lbs. for many miles in harsh conditions and combat scenarios. This had solidified foot marches as a necessary training exercise for more than just a test of discipline and physical fitness, but also as a means of preparation for movement within combat zones.
…show more content…
Prior to this period, it was common for there to be transports behind the front lines which carried soldiers’ gear. However, beginning with British involvement in the Crimean War it was realized that for soldiers to be most effective they needed to have all of their gear readily available to them. It is also hypothesized that increase in relative average size of humans allowed for a more comfortable ability to perform in combat while carrying heavy loads, therefore as time has progressed it has become more common for soldiers to carry more of their own gear. As I previously stated, the Roman Legion appears to be the historical exception on foot marching. Aside from the training Roman soldiers had to complete before they even touched weaponry, which is thought to have included a 30-mile foot march with 45 lbs. of gear, the Roman Legion marched on average 10 miles per day with at least 50 lbs. of gear. This wasn’t for training as the Roman Empire was constantly on the quest for expansion, therefore this was how the Roman Legion lived and their lifestyle included carrying their own gear without other sources of load bearing such as wagons or carts. Why did the Roman Legion choose to not use other sources of load bearing? The same reason as to why it was abandoned in the mid 19th century, because the Romans were able to be more effective with less moving parts. Having other forms of transportation for gear creates many problems, the primary being how soldiers will get the gear they need rapidly. The easy solution was to have the soldiers carry their own gear and not have to deal with the trouble of constant
Prior to this period, it was common for there to be transports behind the front lines which carried soldiers’ gear. However, beginning with British involvement in the Crimean War it was realized that for soldiers to be most effective they needed to have all of their gear readily available to them. It is also hypothesized that increase in relative average size of humans allowed for a more comfortable ability to perform in combat while carrying heavy loads, therefore as time has progressed it has become more common for soldiers to carry more of their own gear. As I previously stated, the Roman Legion appears to be the historical exception on foot marching. Aside from the training Roman soldiers had to complete before they even touched weaponry, which is thought to have included a 30-mile foot march with 45 lbs. of gear, the Roman Legion marched on average 10 miles per day with at least 50 lbs. of gear. This wasn’t for training as the Roman Empire was constantly on the quest for expansion, therefore this was how the Roman Legion lived and their lifestyle included carrying their own gear without other sources of load bearing such as wagons or carts. Why did the Roman Legion choose to not use other sources of load bearing? The same reason as to why it was abandoned in the mid 19th century, because the Romans were able to be more effective with less moving parts. Having other forms of transportation for gear creates many problems, the primary being how soldiers will get the gear they need rapidly. The easy solution was to have the soldiers carry their own gear and not have to deal with the trouble of constant