USMC Silent Drill Team

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.

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If you ever have the opportunity to view this team at an exhibition, function, etc. Do so, never will you see the precision and expertise. And, you don't have to be the child of a Marine and around it your entire life to appreciate it. These guys are awesome. Marines are a special breed, and epitomize honor! How does the commercial go? They are called Leathernecks, and Devil Dogs....but they are and always will be MARINES!!