Venezuela: Military Academy 2007

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Cadets of the Venezuelan Academia Militar performing their version of the goose step: higher-kicking than the classic German version which is still in use as the ceremonial march of the Russian Federation Armed Forces. I have seen the Soviet version in Red Square and it is clearly a difficult drill to maintain for any distance - the troops on parade broke into it from a normal march step only as they approached and passed the saluting dais. The Venezuelans must be very well trained.

The uniforms shown are indirectly of Imperial German origin - the Military Academy was established in its present form in 1910 under the auspices of a Chilean military mission and the Chileans in turn followed the Prussian model closely in matters of dress and drill. The Venezuelan colour party in this 2007 photograph wear the white plumes of first year cadets, officers and special detachments. The second year company wears yellow, the third bright blue and the fourth red.

Looks like they're doing a musical dance number.