U.S. Marines are a proud bunch. They’re cooky, and even borderline conceited some may argue. They have to be, and they have the right to be. After kicking butts and taking names for more than 240 years, they have earned the right to be exceptionally confident. Additionally, when your job description includes missions that many deem almost undoable, you better believe you are made out of a “different cloth” or you may wither and perish under pressure before the reinforcements get there. But there are two things that Marines are extremely proud of beyond all the other things: their marksmanship abilities and their cadence.
Defined as a modulation or inflection of the voice, a sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase, military or drill cadence is a system used by the military to move troops from point A to point B as well as to teach troops immediate obedience to orders or commands. The contest of military cadences are similar between the services, but because Marines like everything done with discipline and excellence, they have polished their craft to showmanship levels.
This footage brings just a taste of it. It shows the members of the West Coast Drill Instructor Association gathered at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for their annual reunion. Several events were held during the gathering, culminating in the final competition “The Best Damn Cadence Calling Contest in the West.” It’s definitely a must see.
Enjoy “The Best Damn Cadence Calling Contest in the West”:
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