Tough

During recruit training, marching is used to move troops, but it also used as teaching tool. Marching builds discipline, confidence, courage, concentration, fitness, helps soldiers overcome their fears. Marching soldiers move together in unison following the commands of the leader. To march correctly requires strict attention and discipline. Soldiers that march in perfect unison have a feeling of accomplishment and feel confident in themselves. Sometimes marches are long and arduous, so soldiers learn to be tough and courageous in the face of adversity. They learn to hide their exhaustion and appear fresh while exhausted. Making movements in unison on command requires concentration, so soldiers learn to concentrate under adverse conditions. Long marches in full battle gear increases the fitness levels of the soldiers. All these benefits of marching help soldiers learn to be tough.

Marching techniques are also used in the martial arts, just in a different form. Students bow in and out of class in a group in response to commands to build discipline. During training drills, students perform the techniques in unison in response to commands and the drills are sometimes long and arduous. This requires concentration and builds fitness. Patterns are repeatedly performed to build discipline and concentration.

As warriors in training, martial art students learn to toughen themselves and learn how to behave in a disciplined manner when under stress, such as answering up to commands, carrying out commands immediately, and maintaining pose without displaying weakness, fatigue, or negative emotions. They build their confidence, develop courage, and learn to overcome, control, and hide their fatigue, injuries, and fears.