Semper Fi

[gunny]

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=Y90UPLLo6nY%20

[CharlieVT]

Gunny,
Thanks for posting. Brought back some memories to me.

For those who have never seen them, if you ever have a chance to see this team perform I highly recommend it.
Unfortunately, that UTube video in a high school gym full of cheering doesn't do the team justice.

I have seen the USMC Silent Drill Team (now called Platoon) a few times over the course of my career. The teamwork, training, and skill exhibited by this team are most impressive and without peer.

When I have seen them the audience was primarily military and their families. The audience watched in respectful silence as the team took the field in close order precision.

The Silent Drill Team isn't silent. The slap of hands on rifles, and the clatter of the weapons beat a staccato as well timed as any professional musical percussion group. The synchrony of movement of Marines performing their theatrical Manual of Arms creates waves of motion up and down the ranks that rivals any Broadway stage show.

The expression on the face of the "inspecting officer" as he views a rifle and then returns it is pure theater.

Much of this is lost in the UTube video. I defy any American to watch the USMC Silent Drill Team and not experience a deep sense of patriotic pride. Those guy epitomize the training, teamwork, professionalism, and esprit de corps of the entire United States Marine Corps and you feel it in watching them.

I went looking for other video, here's some of what I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr76BO4A-wM
http://www.armee.forces.gc.ca/lf/Eng...5-177HiRes.wmv

[gulfxray]

That's awesome!

It would be hard for me to remain seated and quiet....

[myk_edwards]

Quite good, but different. They only use drill moves that a regular airman would use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk0qyBiqdAE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYx1qXkPJEA

opening on this is good, when they all cross.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHfANQcN8_0

[cfell]

Gunny.. Got to see them at 8th and I... 1998 during the Spring Concert season... sitting in the courtyard outside "The Old Man's House", the cool of the evening draping upon us and the crisp air.. the "world" outside disappeared for a few minutes..

God Bless 'em... Semper Fidelis!

[motorman587]

They rock, Gunny.