Because I am the spawn of two WWII Navy Corpsman (male and female of course) I have a soft spot for U.S. Marines

These guys are good

Hat tip to www.littlegreenfootballs.com

I love watching those guys.  Truly amazing.

that made my night. not just the performance, but hearing the cheers from the crowd. thanks. i would like to see them live some day.

Back in the 80's when I was Sr in High School our JROTC Drill team used thier routine in our Drill competition. That year we took 1st in every Competition we attended. It was a blast to perform but was a lot of hard work.

NOW THAT IS GUN CONTROL!!!

When I lived in D.C. near the Naval Yard I got to see them several times live.
They are the most impressive drill team I have ever seen.
I am amazed that we still make people like this.
Of course I got to see the "Old Guard" a lot in the same time period.
I wish we had more of the calibre of these fine men.


Edit to Add.
Watching the video the crowd takes a lot away from the performance. Something about viewing in the Naval Yard adds something to it.

Hey uh.... How does that work with the safety nazi's around here when it clearly shows them sweeping the crowd in the nosebleed seats with the muzzles?



I'm just axing.


I love those guys. Not in a gay way.

Quoted: Hey uh.... How does that work with the safety nazi's around here when it clearly shows them sweeping the crowd in the nosebleed seats with the muzzles?

I'm pretty sure those guns have had their balls hacked off...  basicaly a beautiful batton.

Really awesome. I was worried about dropping my rifle as squad leader of honor guard for JROTC, and we just did basic movements.

Quoted: Quoted: Hey uh.... How does that work with the safety nazi's around here when it clearly shows them sweeping the crowd in the nosebleed seats with the muzzles? I'm pretty sure those guns have had their balls hacked off...  basicaly a beautiful batton.

Think again.

A little search on the internet;

The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Team is officially known as The Silent Drill Platoon. They are part of Company A, Marine Barracks, which provides support for Joint Service Commitments at the Pentagon. In addition they also perform at Ceremonies and Parades around Washington DC, as well as provide support for the Sunset parade on Tuesday Evenings at the Marine Corps War Memorial as well as The Evening Parade on Friday Evenings at The Barracks. They hail from Marine Barracks, Washington DC, also known affectionately as 8th and I, The Oldest Post In The Corps.

The Marine Corps was founded at Tuns' Tavern outside Philadelphia in 1775, but it was not until 1948 that The Silent Drill Platoon first exhibited their rifle and drill expertise. Without any verbal commands, their performance was so exemplary, that it soon became part and parcel to many parades and ceremonies throughout Washington, DC.

A Minimum of Thirty-Nine Marines are chosen from the ranks of enlisted Marines at Infantry Training School to serve in The Silent Drill Platoon, and normally serve a two year tour. In addition the Rifle Inspectors are chosen out of their ranks and it is only them that the secrets are handed down to the next Platoon Rifle Inspectors in manner and tradition accustomed to the Corps .

The Marines use a 10 1/2 pound fully functional M1 Garand Rifle with Fixed Bayonet. In addition to no verbal commands given, this precision USMC silent drill team ends each performance with an inspection routine that will marvel your mind with how it is done. For this portion the bayonets get holstered.

The Silent Drill Platoon performs regularly on Friday evenings during the summer at 8th and I, in Washington DC. While affectionately known as "The Silent Drill Team", it is actually a Misnomer, as their Official title is The Silent Drill Platoon. Marines know the difference between the two titles, so if you're looking to impress a Marine, use Silent Drill Platoon instead of Silent Drill Team.

As a former Marine, (Once a Marine, always a Marine), I have been witness to this most professional performance and can only say if you have not seen it, you owe it to yourself to view this once in a lifetime example of what discipline and precision mean when one is a United States Marine. The history and pride in the corps demonstrated by these young marines show the patriotism many feel when viewing this performance.

Author Joseph Ranos is the President of http://www.ALLSalesByOwner.com In addition to expertise in Real Estate, particularly the For Sale By Owner trends, he is a Former United States Marine who regularly keeps up on current and past Marine Corps items of interest such as manuals, Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, and compilation of numerous resources into data CD's.

You can learn about his Marine Corps compilations at http://silentdrillteam.allsalesbyowner.com as well as inquire about his DVD of The Silent Drill Platoon Battle Color Ceremony. It is his hope you found this information helpful, and we hope you search out his other articles as well.

Those guys are absolutely fucking AWESOME to watch.   How can you NOT be proud to be an American, watching that !

those Marines are awesome...I got to see them a few times

I was on my units "silent drill" team


we wore our Blues and performed for VIP's in foreign countries on the Carriers flight deck. they would have the VIP's seated on the flight deck and hand crank us up silent on the elevator. We were pretty good. We used M14's with no bayonets...LOTS and LOTS of pratice

here is an old photo of me in France practicing for that nights performance in port. I am on the Left. I would have never known about this photo but some Sailor was like "I got this paper in port and you guys were in it"

Seen them perform at the USMC monument.

Semper Fi, brothers.

They perform at the USMC Supply Depot Barstow Calif(130 mile NE of Los Angeles) about 3 months ago, but I didn't know about it until I read it in the local newspaper the day AFTER the performance.

The author marvel at the precision.

Definitely would have been better if the crowd would have STFU during the drill.

I've seen them about 10 times in my lifetime.  Every time is worth it and gives me goosebumps.

Those Marines are good.  Very cool.

Farking awesome!  Those are some well-disciplined bad-asses.  I would love to see them in person.  Reminds me of the opeing sequence of "A Few Good Men."

Quoted: NOW THAT IS GUN CONTROL!!!

Fuck yeah!

Quoted: Definitely would have been better if the crowd would have STFU during the drill.

yes every time I saw them you could here a pin drop...unfortunately they had the "Jerry Springer" crowd of animals that don't even clap they just make noise

That video is cool but can't even begin to capture how good they really are.  I've seen them perform and practice many times at "8th and I", and it's never anything less than amazing.  Seeing them in the early morning on the grounds of "8th and I" is the best.

Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band.

They do. Corporals for sure, I don't know about E-5's and up, though.
Corporals make shit happen.

Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band.

Totally different.  Members of "The President's Own" do not go to boot camp and start at paygrade E6 (as do all of the other "Premier" bands in DC).

Quoted: Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band. Totally different.  Members of "The President's Own" do not go to boot camp and start at paygrade E6 (as do all of the other "Premier" bands in DC).

Don't go to Boot Camp?  Are you sure about that?  I find it hard to believe the Marine Corps would have a band, featuring peope in Marine uniforms and calling themselves "Marines" - that was not made up of, well, Marines.  And the last I heard, you had to graduate Boot Camp to be a Marine.

EDIT:

Well, I'll be... www.marineband.usmc.mil/who_we_are/faq/index.htm

Are the musicians members of the U.S. Marine Corps?    Yes. Marines of “The President’s Own” take the same oath, enlist for the same initial four-year term, are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, receive the same pay and allowances, and adhere to the same height and weight standards as other enlisted Marines of their grade. Why are members enlisted as Staff Sergeants (Grade E-6)?    Because of the many years invested in their musical education, members of “The President’s Own” enlist in the Marine Corps already trained to perform at the high level of skill required. It would be difficult for the Marine Corps to recruit individuals who possess such expertise (many hold bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in their field) at salaries dramatically lower than what they could be expected to earn in the private sector. What is the highest rank that members may attain?    Master Gunnery Sergeant (Grade E-9) is the highest rank received by members of “The President’s Own,” however, exceptional individuals sometimes have the opportunity to assume leadership positions within the organization. Through appointment to the offices of Director, Assistant Director, Executive Assistant to the Director, and Operations Officer, these outstanding members may receive officer candidacy.    To meet the Marine Band leadership, click here! Why aren’t members sent to recruit training (boot camp)?    “The President’s Own” has no tactical or combat mission; its mission is to provide music to the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.    Marines in “The President’s Own” are among the most expert musicians and professionals in the world and are recruited from renowned colleges, universities, and conservatories worldwide. They are highly skilled in both performance ability and knowledge of musical subjects; for this reason, musicians and professionals who are selected for the Marine Band and subsequent enlistment in the Marine Corps are considered highly-trained for performance of their duties.    Upon enlistment, a Marine Band member signs a standard four-year enlistment contract and reports directly to Marine Barracks Washington equipped with the training needed to immediately begin performance of his or her primary duty: “to provide music and such other functions as are directed by the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.” Upon arrival at Marine Barracks Washington, newly recruited members of the band undergo a 4-6 week period of military instruction conducted by the Assistant Drum Major to ensure each member is equipped to begin their Marine Corps career.

Quoted: Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band. ... (as do all of the other "Premier" bands in DC).

Perhaps you might not consider the Army Band ("Pershings Own") to be "premier" but every Army musician has been through Basic Training.

So much for "Every Marine a Rifleman" I guess symbolism trumps substance once again.

I have their routine on my DVR when they were on "Major Dad".  Very cool.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band. Totally different.  Members of "The President's Own" do not go to boot camp and start at paygrade E6 (as do all of the other "Premier" bands in DC). Don't go to Boot Camp?  Are you sure about that?  I find it hard to believe the Marine Corps would have a band, featuring peope in Marine uniforms and calling themselves "Marines" - that was not made up of, well, Marines.  And the last I heard, you had to graduate Boot Camp to be a Marine.

Absolutely.  They don't (and are the ONLY "DC Band") that doesn't go to boot.  The reasons are twofold.  One, like all the DC Bands, you must audition first.  If you win the audition, then you go through the recruitment process (MEPS, etc).  In the USMC's eyes, if you're good enough to get in you're as qualified as you need to be (remember, for "The President's Own", this is their ONLY duty).  Two, there was an incident (in the 50's I believe) where an instrumentalist had his hand smashed by a pugil stick...syonara playing career.

    Although all 160 members of "The President's Own" are considered true Marines, traditional "boot camp" training is not involved. Instead, they go through a month-long training program with a drum major, where they learn how to wear their uniforms (which are different than other Marine uniforms), who to salute when and where, and a lot of history about the organization.  Not requiring band members to endure boot camp likely helps attract a wider variety of musicians of the required caliber, since some might be afraid of the notion of boot camp.

The members take the same oath, four-year enlistment, must make weight/height requirements, and are subject to the UCMJ, etc.  (not to mention pass the security screening...which is pretty tight)

More info here..
www.marineband.usmc.mil/who_we_are/faq/index.htm

It's a tough gig.  I know quite a few guys who left it to go to the Army band (despite having to go through basic).

Quoted: So much for "Every Marine a Rifleman" I guess symbolism trumps substance once again.

The majority of Marine bandsmen attend boot camp and MCT, just not the President's Own.

Members of the PO are great musicians, but they aren't Marines, no matter what HQMC calls them.

FTR, civilian employees of the Marine Corps are commonly referred to by HQMC as "Civilian Marines". They aren't Marines either.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band. ... (as do all of the other "Premier" bands in DC). Perhaps you might not consider the Army Band ("Pershings Own") to be "premier" but every Army musician has been through Basic Training. So much for "Every Marine a Rifleman" I guess symbolism trumps substance once again.

You edited your post while I was making mine.

My "Premier" band comment in parentheses was in regard to paygrade, not boot/basic.  I do consider "Pershing's Own" to be a premier group (I won the audition and spent some "quality time" at Sill).  I see what you mean with the "symbolism vs. substance" thing, but in reality to keep the band at the level they need it substance actually is winning.

How did this go from a thread marveling over the Silent Drill Platoon to a thread about whether band members are real Marines?

Great video!  There is another video of the same performance on LiveLeak, the Platoon is in Canada in this one.  Another great performance is seen in the first few minutes of a sorry assed film, "A Few Good Men".


That film movie helped my JROTC platoon come up with our routine.  Except we had 1903 Springfield, mine was ol number 25, a 1903A4 with a Redfield iron sight on it, and we didnt have bayonets on rifles during performances, only during ceremonies.  The NCOs and officers had 1911s and the web gear to go along with our presentation bayonets.  I got mine in my sophmore year(promoted to Sergant in the last week of my freshman year).  Anyways, we took first in the district(Dallas) my first year, and every year I was there, and helped restore our battalion(13th) to "Honor Battalion" status again, something th the 13th hadnt had in 10 years.  Felt good.   Got our asses soundly spanked by San Marcus military school.  Those boys could spin!

2 years after I left school, the platoon got some M14s, and some M1s to replace the '03s that were getting beat up.  Seeing as my house is by my old school, I pass by on occasion to see them working with those rifles.  Number 25 is still there though, and the CO of the plattoon gets it.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I guess I didn't realize there were no NCO's in the silent drill platoon. Guess its a bit diff than the Marine Corps Band. ... (as do all of the other "Premier" bands in DC). Perhaps you might not consider the Army Band ("Pershings Own") to be "premier" but every Army musician has been through Basic Training. So much for "Every Marine a Rifleman" I guess symbolism trumps substance once again. You edited your post while I was making mine. My "Premier" band comment in parentheses was in regard to paygrade, not boot/basic.  I do consider "Pershing's Own" to be a premier group (I won the audition and spent some "quality time" at Sill).  I see what you mean with the "symbolism vs. substance" thing, but in reality to keep the band at the level they need it substance actually is winning.

Sorry to get off-topic, but I would like to comment that I saw a story on the USMC Band, on Ted Kopel's nightline years ago.  According the story, the band members are only group of people that didn't go through boot camp and trained as true soldiers.  They are musicians only, their only purpose is to perform.  Most of the people hold master's degrees in music from very prestigous universities.  They are a real tough act, figuratively speaking.

They should just commission them all as zeros and get it over with (the band people).

I was amazed by the diversity of talent that I encountered in the Marine Corps.  I met some knuckle draggers, but I also met some highly intelligent folks with their shit wired well.  

The beauty of the USMC is that you can be performing in front of fans at a Nuggets game one day and scrubbing a head the next.

JS