Military drill teams are made up of a particularly dedicated group of individuals who exhibit immense professionalism and commitment to their craft. Tasked with representing their unit, their branch and their country as a whole, drill teams put on a show for some of the biggest crowds.
Perfecting the art of a military drill routine is not just left up to the men and women who serve. Many schools around the world allow their students to participate and perform in military drills, and there’s even a national championship at the high school level too.
Check out the 2016 Silent Drill Competition championship routine in the video below:
According to the video’s uploader, the drill team featured in the clip is from Iligan City National High School in the Philippines. More than 50 drill team members take part in the performance, and the 14-minute long routine is really something to watch.
Students from Iligan City National High School in the Philippines perform their championship-winning drill routine. (Mimi Chan/YouTube)
As the drums kick in, the drill team marches into the arena in perfect harmony. The key to a successful drill routine is precision; each individual member of the unit must march, move, and maneuver in unison with one another.
In addition, the drill team carries with them a model rifle to use as a prop. The lookalike gun will be used heavily throughout the performance, and is yet another element to the drill that requires expert handling.
Students from Iligan City National High School in the Philippines perform their championship-winning drill routine. (Mimi Chan/YouTube)
Throughout the video, the drill team traverses the arena forming different patterns and formations for the crowds. The unit begins with a few different straight-line formations before transitioning into some complex setups.
A few of the more interesting formations include an arrow, a heart, and circles. As the performance progresses, the unit adds some fun extras. A few key members highlight their rifle handling skills as well as their personalities. Cracking a few smiles at the crowd and adding some funny moments, the performance certainly has some character.
Students from Iligan City National High School in the Philippines perform their championship-winning drill routine. (Mimi Chan/YouTube)
Toward the end, the unit even breaks out in dance. They are still high school kids after all, and after pulling off such a stellar performance, it was time to have some fun.
