How?

[Subdeacon Joe]

How in the world did they come up with that step?   And that toe tap towards the end?

 

 

[J-BAR #18287]

Well I couldn’t do it.  I’m jealous of their strength, balance, and range of motion.  I would unquestionably lose a butt kicking contest with those fellows.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

I wonder where they got the Tribbles for their shoes?  It seems strange that there were virtually no tourists watching.

[Utah Bob #35998]

That’s the first time I’ve seen the guards in winter uniforms.

[Rip Snorter]

These troops are known to be notably tough, notwithstanding this 

 

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

I wonder where they got the Tribbles for their shoes?  It seems strange that there were virtually no tourists watching.

τσαρούχια  Tsarouchia are typically made of a number of pieces of stiff leather hand-sewn together, in the moccasin fashion. They have a characteristic upturned toe, usually covered by a large woolen pompon, which often occurs in Turkey as well. The latter was a relatively late addition, originally a way of making the shoe's toe waterproof, but increasingly becoming an essential feature of their decoration.

 

I was more interested to see that they are by gawd real hobnailed shoes.  Must be hell to walk that sidewalk when it's wet with those hobnailed shoes.

[Subdeacon Joe]

Of course, this being the Saloon  there are no attempts at answering just how that particular step came about.  
My wife had the theory that some private was making fun of something, his sergeant saw it and said (in Greek), "Alllllll right then!  Since Private Komedian did it, and since you all think it is SO funny, now you ALL get to do it!  Into formation, like good lads.  Now, Pvt. Komedian, show us again how you did that!"  and then some officer saw it and said to himself (in Greek), "That's the ticket!  Just what we need to lift the lads' spirits and, as an added benefit, bring us to the attention of the Staff!  SERGEANT Peckensniff!  You will drill your men until they are proficient in that step!  Then you will demonstrate it for the rest of the company!  Just what we need to instill some unit pride!  Well done, Sergeant!"

[Dusty Devil Dale]

They walk about the same speed as me-----but for diffetent reasons. 

[Utah Bob #35998]

Most particular ceremonial moves like this evolved over decades or centuries. Sometimes starting with a practical purpose, sometimes not. 
Not the India vs Pakistani troops we have viewed here before. Most of their wildly exaggerated procedures evolved from the many years under British colonial rule. They took British army drill movements and kicked them up to a level even the Monty Python chaps never imagined. 
 

Here’s some goose stepping Russkis.

 

[watab kid]

OK , im not trying to offend but i think monty python had it right - "silly walks" are not really impressive - just look awkward and contrived no matter the pomp/circumstance/or history/culture , lets look dignified shall we ? show some class like a waltz 

[Subdeacon Joe]

2 hours ago, watab kid said:

OK , im not trying to offend but i think monty python had it right - "silly walks" are not really impressive - just look awkward and contrived no matter the pomp/circumstance/or history/culture , lets look dignified shall we ? show some class like a waltz 

 

 

Thanks for that image.  Now I'm seeing in my head The Old Guard waltzing.  

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

While the monologue is apparently Russian, the soldiers are Evzones, Greek light or mountain infantry, here guarding the presidential palace. Look up Evzones for the scoop if you’re curiouser.

[Sedalia Dave]

Read that the Pompoms on the toes of their boots originally covered blades that they could stab their opponets with.

 

Their boots weigh a minimum of 1.5 kg and depending on the size, have between 60 and 120 hobnails in the soles. 

 

It is a special honor to be chosen to be a member of the Evzones. They work very hard and form strong friendship bonds that last a lifetime. The Honor Guards are always present in pairs. Once paired up they will not go on duty with another soldier. If one is sick the other also is removed from watch rotation till both are capable of performing their watches together.

 

Did a lot of searching but could find no references as to how their unique style of marching came about. 

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

Shoes with pompoms should only be worn by cheerleaders and drum majorettes.........armed guards, not so much.

[watab kid]

im inclined to agree here - too much bling makes you look silly too even when not walking silly walks , ....JMHO for the 2Cents thats worth 

[Dirty Dan Dawkins]

On 9/16/2022 at 9:26 PM, Subdeacon Joe said:

How in the world did they come up with that step?   And that toe tap towards the end?

 

 

How? My guess is alcohol, and a dare, and possibly a woman, were probably involved.

[Subdeacon Joe]

6 hours ago, Dirty Dan Dawkins said:

How? My guess is alcohol, and a dare, and possibly a woman, were probably involved.

 

Well, the booze is a given.  

[Subdeacon Joe]

19 hours ago, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

Shoes with pompoms should only be worn by cheerleaders and drum majorettes.........armed guards, not so much.

 

11 hours ago, watab kid said:

im inclined to agree here - too much bling makes you look silly too even when not walking silly walks , ....JMHO for the 2Cents thats worth 

 

 

 

Quote

 

Elite Force

However, it is also spectacular in its own way. The Tomb is guarded by the Evzones, otherwise known as the presidential guard, a historically elite fighting force. Though their role is now predominantly ceremonial, the Evzones are still chosen from regular Greek army infantry units, with the requirement that they must be a minimum of 1.87m (6’2”) tall. As a result, their appearance is rather intimidating, and this effect is made all the more dramatic by the unusual uniform they wear. Their flamboyant attire is descended from that of the Klephts, warlike mountain Greeks who fought the occupying Ottoman forces from the 15th century onwards.

 

Fiery Discipline

These days the Evzones guard the tomb around the clock, and rotate personnel every hour on the hour in the elaborate “changing of the guard” ceremony. This involves marching up and down several times and stamping the ground hard with their right feet. The guards on duty also switch places every 15 minutes, but apart from this, they are absolutely motionless and at attention at all times. This was demonstrated in the most dramatic fashion in 2001, when a participant of a violent protest threw a Molotov cocktail at the wooden guardhouse. It immediately went up in flames, but the evzone on guard beside did not move until given the order to do so, at which point it could be seen by all that his uniform was partially on fire.

 

 

 

Quote

In January 2010, a makeshift bomb was placed 20 meters from where the Evzones guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Syntagma Square. Although the police informed the Evzones of the imminent threat, the Guards refused to leave their posts and remained on guard while the bomb exploded.

 

 

You tell them that they are cheerleaders and look silly.

[Rip Snorter]

2 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You tell them that they are cheerleaders and look silly.

That would most likely be a painful error in judgment.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

3 hours ago, Rip Snorter said:

That would most likely be a painful error in judgment.

Like telling the French Foreign Legion that they march funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0ioZSOgGE

 

[watab kid]

ill not argue that as i understand exactly what your saying , i was simply reflecting on the appearance of what was presented - id not have taken hitlers socialist's troops for granted in 38 either but the world did , and they had a "silly walk" 

[Subdeacon Joe]

5 minutes ago, watab kid said:

ill not argue that as i understand exactly what your saying , i was simply reflecting on the appearance of what was presented - id not have taken hitlers socialist's troops for granted in 38 either but the world did , and they had a "silly walk" 

 

 

I just don't understand the bias against clothing that isn't Victorian or Edwardian.   I'd hate to hear what you say about Landsknechts.  

 

 

Or the Swiss Guards.

 

 

 

 

[watab kid]

i have not really expressed a dislike for the costumes really , ive always been impressed with the ceremonial garb , from the victorian , back to the roman and egyptial to the american west , ive even been so with the african and middle eastern even tho ive often not understood exactly why it was the choice ,  ive always respected the fact they had culture ...........wonder if our culture will get respected ? 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Two comments:

 

1. having been in several rifle drill teams I can tell you that those exaggerated slow motion drills will wear you faster than anything I can imagine, and if you don't practice every day for at least an hour you will stiffen up the the rear leaf springs on a Dodge Power Wagon.

 

2. gratifying to see so many countries still use the M-1 rifle for drill.  Garand not only developed a wonderful battle implement he also ended up with a very nearly perfect drill rifle, so right in so many ways it's almost like it was a deliberate feature.  I've never seen any other rifle that can compare.

 

Thanks, Joe.

[watab kid]

ill second your second , im a major fan , ill not comment on the first only because ive never experienced it 

[Subdeacon Joe]

7 hours ago, watab kid said:

i have not really expressed a dislike for the costumes really , ive always been impressed with the ceremonial garb , from the victorian , back to the roman and egyptial to the american west , ive even been so with the african and middle eastern even tho ive often not understood exactly why it was the choice ,  ive always respected the fact they had culture ...........wonder if our culture will get respected ? 

 

 

You did write, "m inclined to agree here - too much bling makes you look silly too even when not walking silly walks , ....JMHO for the 2Cents thats worth " which is somewhat disparaging.  

[watab kid]

OK ill stand corrected in that i said what i said - but i also said "JMHO for the 2Cents thats worth " , if you think its worth less , please disregard it , 

 

most of the uniforms are fine but some look as stiff as the walks , everyone can do what they please , id not wish to do that , 

[Subdeacon Joe]

21 hours ago, watab kid said:

" , if you think its worth less , please disregard it , 

 

I'd say at least six bits 

[Utah Bob #35998]

21 hours ago, watab kid said:

OK ill stand corrected in that i said what i said - but i also said "JMHO for the 2Cents thats worth " , if you think its worth less , please disregard it , 

 

most of the uniforms are fine but some look as stiff as the walks , everyone can do what they please , id not wish to do that , 

With inflation you’re going to have to put in 3.1 cents until further notice.

[Rip Snorter]

Y'all try to do any one of the Military "Silly walks", for, say a quarter of an hour.  You will either have a coronary or understand that both spectacle and conditioning are involved.