Drum and Bugle Corps perform 400 shows per year

The “Commandant’s Own” – the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps – presented a program at Camp Pendleton recently. The musical corps also included the US Marine Silent Drill Platoon and Color Guard from Marine Barracks in Washington, DC. The program was presented to guests as well as to Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton.

The Silent Drill Platoon is a 24-member group that first performed in 1948. The Marines use fully operational hand-polished M-1 rifles weighing 10 ½ pounds each. Bayonets are placed on the top during certain portions of the drill and then removed in synchronization and placed in a belt pouch during other times. They twirl and spin the rifles easily, as though they were light batons. During the drill routine the only sounds heard were the slapping of rifles, hand slaps on the uniform, the stomping of feet and an occasional click from a rifle. These men sometimes practice 10 hours a day, according to a member of the platoon.

Near the end of the exhibition one Marine, a “Rifle Inspector,” walked down the line. It seemed like a random inspection when he chose different soldiers to twirl rifles and sometimes toss the rifles to the inspector. At one point there were two rifles in the air as the inspector and platoon member tossed their rifles to each other at the same time. It is a great honor to be a Rifle Inspector, as only two Marines each year are selected for the duty.

The Marines in the Silent Drill Platoon are selected from the schools of infantry and are then trained at Marine Barracks, Washington DC, and later at the Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona. Even though the men look the same height there is a height requirement that begins at 5’10” and ranges to a little over six feet. The body build also has to be similar, said one member of the platoon.

The Drum and Bugle Corps is a 40-member group that travels throughout the country, and sometimes to other countries, performing 400 shows a year and traveling approximately 50,000 miles. If a trip is over five hours the group will fly on military transport planes, but if under five hours they travel to their destination on busses. The group has even traveled to England, where they were invited to play at the 50th anniversary celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

The group started in 1934 and is the only drum and bugle corps in the US armed forces. To be accepted as a member, each Marine has to be a graduate of Marine Corps recruit training and be trained in basic infantry skills. Prior to selection, each Marine must pass a demanding audition that is followed by recruit training and Marine Combat Training.

The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps was initiated at Marine Barracks in Washington, DC, which is still their headquarters. The goal was not to replace the US Marine Band but to enhance it. The current Drum and Bugle Corps members range in age from 18 to 45.

Members wear scarlet and gold breastcords, which were initially awarded to the group by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The uniform consists of a red jacket, white pants, white hat, white gloves and highly polished patent leather shoes. The rank insignia is only shown on the uniforms in one place: the belt buckle.

The musical numbers performed were a combination of patriotic music and popular tunes. Each was performed to the highest standard of excellence.