| The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Team is | | | | next Platoon Rifle Inspectors in manner and tradition |
| officially known as The Silent Drill Platoon. They are | | | | accustomed to the Corps . |
| part of Company A, Marine Barracks, which provides | | | | The Marines use a 10 1/2 pound fully functional M1 |
| support for Joint Service Commitments at the | | | | Garand Rifle with Fixed Bayonet. In addition to no |
| Pentagon. In addition they also perform at | | | | verbal commands given, this precision USMC silent drill |
| Ceremonies and Parades around Washington DC, as | | | | team ends each performance with an inspection |
| well as provide support for the Sunset parade on | | | | routine that will marvel your mind with how it is done. |
| Tuesday Evenings at the Marine Corps War Memorial | | | | For this portion the bayonets get holstered. |
| as well as The Evening Parade on Friday Evenings at | | | | The Silent Drill Platoon performs regularly on Friday |
| The Barracks. They hail from Marine Barracks, | | | | evenings during the summer at 8th and I, in |
| Washington DC, also known affectionately as 8th and | | | | Washington DC. While affectionately known as "The |
| I, The Oldest Post In The Corps. | | | | Silent Drill Team", it is actually a Misnomer, as their |
| The Marine Corps was founded at Tuns' Tavern | | | | Official title is The Silent Drill Platoon. Marines know |
| outside Philadelphia in 1775, but it was not until 1948 | | | | the difference between the two titles, so if you're |
| that The Silent Drill Platoon first exhibited their rifle | | | | looking to impress a Marine, use Silent Drill Platoon |
| and drill expertise. Without any verbal commands, | | | | instead of Silent Drill Team. |
| their performance was so exemplary, that it soon | | | | As a former Marine, (Once a Marine, always a |
| became part and parcel to many parades and | | | | Marine), I have been witness to this most |
| ceremonies throughout Washington, DC. | | | | professional performance and can only say if you |
| A Minimum of Thirty-Nine Marines are chosen from | | | | have not seen it, you owe it to yourself to view this |
| the ranks of enlisted Marines at Infantry Training | | | | once in a lifetime example of what discipline and |
| School to serve in The Silent Drill Platoon, and | | | | precision mean when one is a United States Marine. |
| normally serve a two year tour. In addition the Rifle | | | | The history and pride in the corps demonstrated by |
| Inspectors are chosen out of their ranks and it is | | | | these young marines show the patriotism many feel |
| only them that the secrets are handed down to the | | | | when viewing this performance. |