How is a "step" measured in a marching context?

In a marching context, a "step" is measured from heel to heel. This measurement allows for a standardized way to maintain uniformity and spacing between troops while marching. When marching in formation, ensuring that each soldier's heel aligns with the next not only contributes to the overall appearance but also helps to keep the formation tight and organized. Measuring heel to heel promotes coordination and helps maintain the rhythm of movement, which is essential for marching drills and formations.

Other options like toe to toe or foot to foot do not provide the same level of consistency for maintaining formation, as these measurements could lead to larger gaps between soldiers or misalignment, disrupting the collective execution of marching techniques. Shoulder to shoulder does not apply to stepping, as it refers more to lateral spacing rather than the distance covered in the forward movement of each step. Understanding the heel to heel measurement is crucial for precision in military marching.