In a Small Marching Unit (SMU) of two, who marches on the right?

In a Small Marching Unit (SMU) of two, the individual who holds the higher rank among the Officer Trainees is positioned on the right side. This tradition is rooted in military customs where rank is visually reinforced during formation. Marching in this manner signifies respect for hierarchy and leadership within the unit, ensuring the senior officer is in the more authoritative position.

The practice of placing the senior ranking Officer Trainee to the right also assists in maintaining organization and discipline throughout the unit's movements. Each member understands their placement based on rank, which helps establish a clear chain of command and fosters cohesion.

Other potential placements, such as a junior ranking Officer Trainee, a designated leader, or the tallest Officer Trainee, do not adhere to the conventions of military formation and ranking protocols. Although the designated leader may often be a senior member, the default positioning based strictly on rank is established as the higher-ranking individual consistently occupying the right side. Therefore, positioning the senior ranking Officer Trainee on the right is in line with the operational customs and expectations of military units.