Most people in the military community know how impressive drill teams can be, and so do most people around the DC area. Those around the US Marine Corps know that the Corps Silent Drill Platoon has the ability to impress even people without showing any emotion during their performance.
Silent drill platoon (Photo/YouTube)
They are that disciplined, intense, and impressive. They are no questions about that. However, a vast amount of civilians have never even heard about the active duty pros who make up the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.
In a time when professional athletes seem to get all the praise, the sacrifice and impressive performance of the youngsters of the Corps Silent Drill teams gets lost with only a little or no attention whatsoever. That’s why videos like these are all the more important, because the promotion and recognition to our military is almost instantaneous. So the leathernecks at the Silent Drill Platoon did it again, this time at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
The Silent Drill Platoon first performed in 1948, and it was originally supposed to be a one-time show. But it received such overwhelming response that it soon became part of the routine parades at the Marine Barracks, Washington, DC.
The 24-man rifle platoon is often referred to as The Marching Twenty-Four, and it performs unique silent precision exhibition drill that exemplifies the professionalism and discipline of the Marine Corps.
The members of the platoon perform a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand-polished 10.5 pounds M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets. At the end of the routine, there’s a unique rifle inspection that involves superfluous spins and tosses.
Silent drill platoon performing (YouTube)
The Marines for the Silent Drill Platoon are selected from students at the two Schools of Infantry, located at Camp Pendleton, California, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The selection is based on interviews conducted by barracks personnel.
After they are selected, the Marines are sent to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, to serve a two-year ceremonial tour. Besides, the Marines also train as infantrymen. All through the year, they hone their infantry skills at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and other bases.
The Silent Drill Platoon performs parades at the Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, and also at various events across the United States and abroad. The Sunset Parade at the Marine Corps War Memorial is a weekly event that takes place every Friday all throughout summer.
