One of the most pleasing and patriotic things you’ll ever hear is the Marine Corps Band — also called “The President’s Own” — play the works of composers, like John Philip Sousa. On the flipside, one of the most incredible and quietly patriotic things you can ever witness is the remarkable skill performed by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.
Many of the spectators at a New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns game didn’t know what a treat they were in for as the Silent Drill Platoon slowly and solemnly marched in formation onto the field.
The Marine Corps celebrated its 243rd birthday on Nov. 10
The crowd went nearly quiet as they watched the 24-man platoon form a line and begin their routine…but the silence quickly turned into cheers.
In 1948, the Silent Drill Platoon performed what was meant to be a one-time show
However, the reaction and response to The Marching Twenty-Four led to the routine being added as part of the parades in Washington D.C. at the Marine Barracks.
It’s no wonder, as the Platoon performs dressed in their Blue-White dress uniforms and white hats as they fill American hearts with pride and wonderment at the carefully executed movements and tricks of the routines.
While ability and skill potential are key assets to becoming a member of the Silent Drill Platoon, physicality is also restricted to only men ranging in height from 5’11” to 6’1″! The Marines in the platoon aren’t exempt from going to a war zone either, as they are also trained infantrymen.
The first time I saw a Marine Corps silent drill cadence, I was as a kid in the early 90s watching the movie A Few Good Men with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. If you haven’t watched it or haven’t watched it in a while, the silent cadence at the beginning is something to see.
More About:Movies